Magic

I've been a huge fan since '74, have everything produced, attend multiple shows each tour, etc. I have had the record (CD)7 months at the time of writing this review. The bottom line is that I love the music and hate the production/engineering. As others have already said, the compression and distortion have resulted in me simply not listening to it anymore. I have tried and tried - *many* times - since October; and I simply cannot enjoy it. For what it's worth, I have a superb, expensive audio system, and I hear minor differences in sources easily. While Bruce's catalog has varied greatly with regard to sound quality, this is the only CD I no longer listen to because of the sound. If this had even average sound for Bruce, I'd easily give it a 4 or 4.5. By the way, I have listened to the CD in my car, and on other systems - with the same result. As others have said, I feel *very* frustrated and sad about this release.

p.s. I generally liked the production/engineering of The Rising, so I am not bashing Brendan O'Brien in any way.

There, I said it. I'd give it 10 stars if I could.

Why is Bruce still, after 7 months on the magical "Magic" Tour, averaging 8 or 9 of this album's tunes a night? Because he, and the band, and the audience, all know that these are some of the best songs he's ever written...ever. For once, "the new stuff" makes everyone happy -- the players and the listeners.

Buy this album, listen to it, and love it. It's Springsteen's ultimate masterpiece. That's all I have to say.

The only "MAGIC" was them fooling fans into buying this waste of plastic. This is the Last time I buy springsteen without reading lotsa real reviews first. In fact I will never buy one of his albums again until Bruce gives me a good sounding copy to replace this. I have to think that many of the 5 star reviews are written by marketing people. With the very sad state of music today one would think it would be easy for a great writer like Springsteen to be a hit once again. Sad to say this is his very worst album ever, and yes i own almost all. The writing is very poor with maybe 2 slightly decent songs. The sound quality is terrible, I'm thinking maybe they are making this music to sound good on ear buds because on my very nice stereo it sounds like crud. Bruce was once one of my very favorite artists but now like that old favorite sports star you just wish he would retire with some dignity. The Cowboy Junkies have done some excellent Springsteen covers or go buy a Wilco album, you won't be dissapointed. Do not buy this album!

Bruce Spingsteen has been quite buzy in this decade (after a 6 year lul following 1995's "The Ghost of Tom Joad"), indeed this release marks the 6th release in 7 years (The Rising; Live in New York City; Devils & Dust; We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions; Live in Dublin; and now this).

"Magic" (12 tracks, including one "bonus" track; 48 min.) is a breath of fresh air, as it really truly brings back the sound of Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band as we had come to know and love them in the 70s and 80s (sorry, but "The Rising" album was a 'false' alarm in my opinion). Lead-off track (and first single) "Radio Nowhere" sets the tone and feels like it could have been a track from the "Born in the USA" era. Strong track after strong track follows, and really there isn't a weak track on here. My personal favorites on here include "Livin' In the Future", "Girls In THeir Summer Clothes", the title track and the 'closer' "Devil's Arcade". It really isn't the closer as it is followed by a bonus track "Terry's Song", a solo track from Bruce in tribute to Terry Magovern who passed away while the album was being recorded. In all, "Magic" is just that, a fantastic album by one of the legends in the music business.

I had the good fortune of seeing Bruce and the band in concert last month here in Cincinnati, and they put on a fantastic 2 hr. 20 min. set that included a bunch of songs from the "Magic" album, alongside a number of Bruce's classics. The "Magic" songs fitted in perfectly with those classics, and that is about the best compliment anyone could make about this album.

I can't pretend that I'm old enough to tell you that I remember listening to Born the U.S.A. in high school, but I am a big fan of Bruce and very familiar with his music. In my view, Magic is without a doubt his best since Born in the U.S.A. There's not one song on the album that is sub-par, and it maintains that unique E Street sound that has been lacking in some of Bruce's more recent albums.

The opening track, "Radio Nowhere", is probably the most widely played on the album and with good reason....it's a great, up-tempo song. But Radio Nowhere is only the beginning in an album full of gems.

Here are a few of my favorites:

"You'll Be Coming Down" is a good, confident, mid-tempo song with a great combo of sax and guitar.

"Living in the Future" is another, excellent, up-tempo song with a great tune and message. This is the addicting one that you'll be singing to yourself all day.

"You Own Worst Enemy" is another addicting, slower-tempo track that you can really identify with on a bad day.

The title track, "Magic", is very reminiscent of "The Rising", although I actually prefer it because it is much less repetitive and very relaxing.

"Last to Die" is the most openly political track on the album, drawing on John Kerry's famous quote after returning to the United States after serving in Vietnam. Of course, this time Springsteen is obviously taking aim at that mess we have going on in Iraq. It's a great song, and more power to him for getting an important message out there.

Hailed by many as the best track on the album, "Long Walk Home" is an excellent song that reminds me very much of Thunder Road. It has that laid back beginning that gets more and more up-tempo, fun and just plain awesome all the way through.

All things considered, this is an absolutely excellent album. Bruce is still putting quality stuff out there and I think this is really the best in a long time. Highly recommended!