Dave's Den

Bruce Springsteen Magic Review

I'm a Bruce Springsteen fan. Actually, I'm a fair weather Bruce Springsteen fan. I don't have much time for his forays into politics, hootenanny/jug bands, solo acoustic, etc. Basically what gets me going is Bruce and the E Street Band. The last full band CD, 2002's The Rising, was a welcome return, but was a somber, post 9/11 record that, frankly, hasn't held-up very well. Since then Bruce has spent his time campaigning for John Kerry, and recording the forgettable Devils and Dust and The Seeger Sessions discs.

2007 now brings us another full-blown E Steet Band record: Magic. I'm happy to report that this is a true return-to-form for Bruce. While it might not be an instant classic like his earlier work, Magic is a lively batch of rock/pop songs that get better with each listen and will stick in your head long afterwards. Best of all, Bruce is actually writing melodies and singing again- a welcome change from his songwriting and vocal efforts of the last few years. This is arguably the "poppiest" batch of songs he's written since Born in the U.S.A., and probably my favorite release since then. Let's get to the songs:

Radio Nowhere. The first single is a straight-ahead rocker with not much going on lyrically except a rant against modern rock radio. While not the most complex song he's ever written, this one is basically a notice that "we're goin' to be rockin', boys". I wasn't that impressed at first, but it's grown on me over time. The odd thing is that this song sounds out of place on the CD as a whole. There's really nothing else on Magic that sounds like it, and that's a good thing.

You'll Be Comin' Down combines a memorable melody with the driving beat of of Max Weinberg. This one is going to sound great live. It's the story of someone who will be getting their comeuppance eventually: "you'll be fine as long as your pretty face holds out, then it's gonna get pretty cold out".

Livin' in the Future is pure, signature E Street Band- evoking a house party on the Jersey Shore. Clarence has a nice little solo toward the end.

Your Own Worst Enemy features a different vocal style from Bruce- I guess you could actually call it crooning, and it sounds great. He's hitting and sustaining the high notes, including a final line that is unlike anything I've heard from him before.

Gypsy Biker is probably my least favorite song here, but still rocks and will probably sound better live. This one is more in the vein of Worlds Apart from The Rising. It's a driving rocker that doesn't feature a lot of variation and wears out its welcome about halfway through.

Girls In Their Summer Clothes. Wow- what a new sound, and it's fantastic! Meeting Brian Wilson must have rubbed-off a little, as this is a pure pop gem with a break that sounds like something off a Beach Boys record. Bruce is crooning again, and if this song doesn't have you singing along and tapping your feet, I don't know what will.

I'll Work For Your Love. You can actually hear Roy Bittan in the mix here, and that is a very welcome change from some of the "wall of sound" production that Brendan O'Brien has offered recently. This is another melodic rocker, that reminds me of something you might have heard from Del Amitri in their prime.

Magic is a subdued song similar in style to Paradise from The Rising, evoking a distinct Dire Straits/Mark Knopfler vibe.

Last To Die is a butt-kicking anti-war song that not only makes a point, but does so with a memorable melody and a driving beat. Another one that will kill (no pun intended) in concert.

Long Walk Home. If anything good came out of the Seeger Sessions debacle, it is this song. Bruce debuted this on the Seeger Sessions tour, and gave it an E Street makeover for Magic. I hear a concert-closer here, in the same style as Land of Hope and Dreams from the reunion tour of 1999-2000.

The Devil's Arcade. Call me crazy, but I actually hear a little Al Stewart here. A slow-burn song that gathers steam as it goes. One of many that will stick in your head after repeat listenings.

Terry's Song was added to the CD at the last minute as a tribute to one of Bruce's closest confidants who passed away recently. Thankfully, it's not too much of a downer, and is actually a classy tribute to someone who obviously meant a lot to Bruce. Reminds me a bit of My City of Ruins.

Taken as a whole, Magic is the most consistently satisfying thing Bruce has done since Born in the U.S.A. There's not a true clunker in the bunch, and I think this one will better stand the test of time than The Rising. It's great to hear him again give some attention to melody and his voice. These songs are going to provide for a great live show, and I can't wait to see it.

UPDATE 9/28/2007: After spending much more time with Magic, the darker meaning of the lyrics are starting to come through beneath the pop gloss. It's obvious that Bruce has set out to make a record pointing out the things we've lost as a country the last few years. Fortunately he accomplishes this without beating the listener over the head with it (except for Last To Die). It's more in subtle lyrics that can be interpreted personally or politically. I think this is a record that will resonate increasingly after the first few listens. It will be interesting to see the mainstream media reviews rolling in this week.