I am a Bruce Springsteen fan. Always have been, always will be. My parents are huge fans, and so I didn't really have a choice. There is something about Springsteen's music that speaks to me in a way that I can't even fully describe, but it would be suffice to say that it speaks to me in a way that no one else's music does.

I wanted to review this album after it came out last week, but I wanted to wait until I saw him and the E Street Band in concert last Friday. The concert was fantastic, and I hope there's another leg to this tour so I can go again.

That being said, I am always eager to hear his new material. Magic is no different. Overall, the album sounds like a blend of Darkness on the Edge of Town and The Rising in both melodic overtones and messages.

"Radio Nowhere," the first single, is a good song, but not my favorite on the album. "Livin' in the Future" sounds like it is picking off where The Rising left off, a reflection on the times we've been living in since 9/11. Another highlight for me is "Long Walk Home," another love letter to Asbury Park, NJ, in the vein of "My Hometown" and "My City of Ruins."

Overall, it is a great album, though I wouldn't say it is quite on par with The Rising. Definitely a must for any Bruce fan to pick up (if you haven't already) and I would recommend you check it out if you're looking for a great singer-songwriter backed by a wall of sound.

As for the concert last Friday (setlist), while there wasn't anything pre-Born to Run, it was still a fantastic show, and Bruce and the E Street Band have an energy that is unmatched. I really hope they release a live album from this tour, as the new songs sounded fantastic, and "Gypsy Biker" live is leagues ahead of the studio version. It would also be nice to have live versions of songs from The Rising out as well, especially "Waitin' On A Sunny Day," played during the encore during the tour so far. Simply fantastic.

Labels: Bruce Springsteen, Music

Posted by Ryan S. on Tuesday, October 09, 2007 at 5:00 PM | Permalink |