Magic [Digipak] - Bruce Springsteen

Advantages: Bruce Springsteen wrote it. Enough said.
Disadvantages: Nil

The joy of any music, is without doubt, in the ear of the beholder. Something one person loves, will be hated with equal passion by another. So onto Magic. Bruce Springsteen is a genious, of that there is no doubt. For those who may doubt my words, go and see him perform live. Either with, or without the E Street Band, there is no one who does it better on stage than Bruce. But it's not only Bruces stage presence that's impressive, but the depth ...
..."It's not really about Magic". Bruce said as he introduced the song at a recent concert. "It's about tricks". The song's about how governments twist truth into lies and lies into the truth. Or is it? listen to those lyrics and make your own minds up. A great song that will provoke thought, and take you to a place that you may not want to go. But also a song you can close your eyes to, and let wash over you. Just Bruce, half talking half singing. ... Read review

Advantages: Return to 1970s Bruce
Disadvantages: Two weaker tracks

...did not particularly like were Magic and the untitled final track, probably because they were the ones with minimal backing from the E Street Band and the most like Nebraska and Tom Joad Springsteen. The rest, though, reminded me a lot of Darkness on the Edge of Town and The River in terms of songs with strong melodies and an excellent balance between Bruce's singing and the wall of sound of the E Street Band. Obviously, the songs are now (even) ... Read review

Advantages: Hard-die Springsteen fans will like it
Disadvantages: Not as good as Bruce Springsteen previous albums

This is the first Bruce Springsteen album with the E Street Band in the last five years but the standard of the songs is not as good as "The Rising", the precedent one. The opening song "Radio Nowhere" is probably the best track of the album with the classic Springsteen rock-sound his fans love. However from here the road is downhill with "You'll be coming down" that reminds me of "Lucky Town" followed by "Living in the Future", a very annoying ...
...is instead a good song, more "solid" both for the music (I like the harmonica) and the lyrics. "Girls In Their Summer Clothes" is bland and probably out of place in an album of a 58 years old rocker. "I'll Work For Your Love" has got a catching tune but gets repetitive. "Magic", the title-track sounds folk and it is one of the best songs alongside "Radio Nowhere". "Last To Die" is not as powerful as in melody and lyrics (Iraq war probably) as intended ... Read review