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Home > Atlanta Music Scene > Archives > 2007 > October > 02 > Entry
Springsteen makes “Magic”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The first thing that hits the listener about Bruce Springsteen’s “Magic,” which hits stores today, is that it feels like a return to a pre-“Born in the U.S.A.” big-band bluster that showcases the awesome power of the E Street Band. That’s just part of the picture, though.
It has the weary wisdom you might expect from a 58-year-old in tunes such as “Girls in Their Summer Clothes” and “Livin’ in the Future.” You’ll hear traces of the acoustic balladry of his non-E Street Band work, too.
Of course, the man has never lost his ability to craft a song. The first single and lead track on “Magic,” “Radio Nowhere,” is the kind of anthemic rocker that sounds classic and familiar on first listen.
With the assistance of Brendan O’Brien, Springsteen and the band recorded this one — like 2002’s “The Rising” — at Southern Tracks Recording in Atlanta. O’Brien gives the album a high-gloss modernity that brings the E Street wall of sound into the new millennium without dampening its musical muscle.
“Magic” isn’t one of Springsteen’s best, but it might be his most tuneful and immediate since “Born in the U.S.A.”
Have you heard the new Springsteen? Is it up there with his best? And, if not, what is the best?
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Brian
October 2, 2007 2:00 PM | Link to this
It’s great. It’s the type of textured rock record you just don’t hear anymore. Springsteen has really been on a songwriting roll since “The Ghost of Tom Joad.” Many of the songs on “Magic” have lyrics on par with records like “Nebraska” and “Devils & Dust” but with the one-of-a-kind E Street sound. When guys like Dylan, Bruce and Neil Young stop making records I can only wonder what artists of today will still be relevant at 58-years-old?
By Boss fan
October 2, 2007 2:23 PM | Link to this
What he said….
Put simply, it is an outstanding CD, and maybe his best offering since “The River.” Bruce’s voice has never sounded richer, and the music is tight. If you haven’t purchased any of his music in a while, this is the CD to get, no doubt about it.
By No contest
October 2, 2007 2:35 PM | Link to this
Tunnel of Love is an incredible piece of introspection. It holds up fgeat 20 yrs. later. Great, haunting, honest stuff.
By KEITH
October 2, 2007 2:49 PM | Link to this
WHO CARE BOUT DAT WITE BOY SANGIN WHUT WE NEEDS IS LESS OB DE WITE MAN LAW AN BE GIT VICK BACK TO DE FEELD AN DE FALCOMS BE WINNIN SOME MO AN VICK GWAN BE GOT DAT RING NOE WHUT IM SAYIN
By Steve
October 2, 2007 3:02 PM | Link to this
I’ve been listening to “Magic” for about a month and think it one of Springsteen’s greatest works. Granted I’m a biased Springsteen fan, but I think “Magic” is possibly the greatest rock album I’ve heard in a couple of decades or more. The music is mostly joyous, but there is extraordinary lyrical depth that reveals itself over time and that runs counter to the music. The mostly optimistic joyous sounding music is a magical illusion, tempered by lyrics which when peeled apart layer by layer reveal as terrifying a message that Springsteen has ever penned. I think this work is worthy of being called a masterpiece.
By time for the harsh truth
October 2, 2007 3:19 PM | Link to this
Just more witless pathetic Bush hate from a sad, uninspired all the songs sound the same far left ageing has been!!
By KEITH
October 2, 2007 3:28 PM | Link to this
AINT HE BE DA ONE WHUT SANG BOUT A DARKY ON DA EDGE OB TOWN
By the real boss
October 2, 2007 3:50 PM | Link to this
BON JOVI IS THE REAL BOSS OF NJ.. OLE’ BRUCIE NEEDS TO HANG IT UP
By Becky
October 2, 2007 4:26 PM | Link to this
Bon Jovi ROCKS!!!
By Mike
October 2, 2007 4:58 PM | Link to this
Springsteen is extremely overrate, mediocre at best. plain ordinary crap that appeals to the masses of sheep. his singing is barely that, he couldn’t even win a karaoke contest, even on his own songs. I remembe him with so many others, along with the record companies trying to kill rock and roll in the 80’s, with the plain ordinary pop that sells to an average person, but with little real musical and artistic talent. just a roadhouse musician that’s been over-hyped.
By Bren
October 2, 2007 5:02 PM | Link to this
hey harsh truth, is that what your minders told you to say today. America First, lying politicians last! starting with those brown shirted Republicants.
By Jeremiah
October 2, 2007 5:46 PM | Link to this
There really are a lot of morons in this world. To call Springsteen overated, to even compare Bon Jovi with him, to accuse him of killing rock in the 80’s, is some of the most ridiculous, pathetic and unintelligent opinions that I have ever heard. IT is one thing to not like, or to even understand Rock and Roll. But to degrade, insult, and make up insane claims just to hear/read your pathetic thoughts really is sad. Anyone who knows anything about rock and roll knows that this stuff simply is not true. There is a reason Bruce is called the Boss, he simply rocks in every sense of the word. And just because you may like Rap better, or Bon Jovi better, does not mean that you should insult and make up ridiculous diatribe about Bruce. My opinion is that Bruce Springsteen defines Rock and Roll, and this is another great, great piece of work from him and the wonderful, under-rated, E Street Band.
By Filster
October 2, 2007 9:05 PM | Link to this
I have not heard “Magic”, but will probably end up buying the disc. The Bosses’ best? Hands down, and without debate, it’s “Jungleland.” Pretty mcuh anything after Greetings from Asbury Park and Born to Run were good, but he sort of lost his edge once his popularity took off. While some may want to debate Jungeland, if you ever saw him live before he got big, you’d know what I’m talking about.
By Tim
October 3, 2007 2:04 AM | Link to this
I have to give credit to Bruce for still making music that has people talking.
But I think going forward with this blog, on Tuesday’s it would be great if you did a new release focus. While Springsteen is a post subject sure to generate blog traffic, it would have been great if you could have informed folks that October 2 also saw the release of: Songs of Mass Destruction ~ Annie Lennox Revival ~ John Fogerty Exile on Mainstream ~ Matchbox Twenty White Chalk ~ PJ Harvey Cowboy Town ~ Brooks & Dunn
I would have made this post to the post where you seek general blog suggestions, but comments are turned off on that page. That would explain why you have zero comments on the entry.
That being said, I think this blog has some great potential and look forward to the content you provide.
By Tommy H
October 3, 2007 6:21 AM | Link to this
Magic is, well, magical. Bruce takes his audience on unique journeys of sonic architecture with each release. This is strong stuff, and he weaves his political views in with subtlety, so listeners have to work through the layered meanings. This should baffle the Right, who can’t handle metaphor. Good move, Bruce.
“Magic” is Grammy worthy. Of course, so was “The Rising”. Here’s hoping he’s not overlooked this time ‘round!
By David
October 3, 2007 6:43 AM | Link to this
It’s a good album. Better than “The Rising” and probably the best thing he’s done since “Tunnel Of Love”. Having said that, there are a few songs that sound like filler, but it’s a bigtime welcome after the dry 90’s period we dealt with.