Magic

Radio Nowhere

Good arrangement never done by BS before and it has guts chorus in 27 seconds.

You'll Be Comin' Down

Just when you think he has guts he pussy's out, skip it as this is the song "Lucky Town" re-done, it has no heart at all, lyric poor how do you connect with this a complete waste of tape the poor chorus goes on and on and on.

Livin' In The Future

"It's Hot In The City, Hot In the City Tonight" I do believe, enjoy the moment as it yearns to Hungry Heart. Unfortunately not close to Hungry Heart in quality of melody or chorus. Lyric is good although "your boots clicking like a pistol spinning round" doesn't convince. Arrangement wise half way through it has the middle 8, then one more verse and then a chorus and that is the moment it goes mad, this is the point at which this song becomes "Tenth Avenue Freeze Out" no joke, it wants to be played on radio but I am not sure the chorus does the job well enough. Backing vocals on chorus are strong and a nod to high range pop radio i.e "Hungry Heart" when they tweaked Springsteen's vocal registry on "Hungry Heart" in order to get it played on radio. The "nah nah nah" outro has the desired effect that the lyric in "Tenth Avenue Freeze Out" spoke off "All the pretties waved their hands" this is forced but hell it is joyful.

Your Own Worst Enemy

Ah man... the vocal is whining and long lasting not inspiring. Strong lyric for first time on the record. Chorus reminds me of something but have yet to put my finger on it. Middle 8 is interesting, but then reminds me my big picture problem - with a band as big and with the vocal skills BS has at his disposal he unfortunately for his songs does not showcase and utilise such vocal talents. In my dreams, the perfect and yes modern BS record the production is not as important but what is is the song and the voices singing it.

Gypsy Biker

Nope, chords chosen are not of value here, he has made the wrong call on the chords. Story telling song and I am not with him.

Girls In Their Summer Clothes

I wish this was as good as it could be it could be good. I bet the raw home demo is great!!! Vocal and the effect on top is not for me sounds like my batteries are dying and the vocal is fading out. Note to self a song with this title should not be sung in this way no matter who you are, it should be alive and happy and if it has a little more depth to it then bittersweet but the vocal should convince the listener this does not. When band kicks in it does get better but how come just around coming out of Middle 8 they are just plodding along no heat no interest?

I'll Work For Your Love

A gospel song done very well. We get a great Roy Bittan intro first time in years!! This is a true highlight how we have missed this man being able to make our world better. Interesting lyric come breakdown and outro verses and we have a great E-Street Band ending, this is the best executed band song yet.

Magic

BS has his "Devils and Dust" voice for this track, "This Is What We'll Be" that is the chorus. I am not with him then Max changes and hints at the snare drum as BS sings "Fire down below" but nothing happens poor arrangement and an exercise that should have been kept off the album and this is the title track bad call.

Last To Die

Tempo increase was much needed, this should have been track two. Orchestration should have been cut and let Bittan should have been let go to do his thing and articulate the instrumentation. This song is going to grow on me.

Long Walk Home

This could be a good one a real good one, first time I really believe BS and what he is saying. Chord choices on chorus are strong.

For me, this is the way albums should sound - obviously written and recorded in a single studio, in a short period of time, with one set up for the band. It isn't the best production in the world, especially by American standards, but the vibe is fantastic. And the songs are great - Girls in their Summer Clothes, I'l Work for your Love, Radio Nowhere - all great cuts; and there is real enjoyment here ... something missing too often from the angst filled albums by younger artists. Bruce knows who he is and is happy in his skin.

I first heard the bonus track 'Terry's Song' during a radio interview with Springsteen when 'Magic' was first released. That one, quiet track alone was enough to convince me to buy one of the finest albums in my collection.

From start to finish this is an absolute triumph. 'Long Walk Home' is the kind of song that you know will give you goose bumps if you saw it performed live. Even my girlfriend, who's never been a Springsteen fan, absolutely loves this album with 'Girls in Their Summer Clothes' being her favourite.

If you've never given Springsteen a chance because you think everything he does sounds like 'Dancing in the Dark' then go buy this album because you are very, very wrong. There hasn't been a month gone by since I bought this where I haven't listened to it, and I have hundreds of albums in my collection to choose from. I simply need to listen to it.

Top stuff! This is superb. First listen didn't do it, but several further plays and I think it's superb. If you liked the 'The River' and 'Born in the USA' albums you'll love this. Messages are plenty within the lyrics, but the melodic content is great and 'Girls in their summer clothes' is the old romantic Bruce at his very best.

Rejoice the Boss is back. After his slightly bizarre detour via Pete Seeger, Bruce is back with the band that provides him with his most cohesive support. Echoes of very early Boss abound on this his latest effort. Cracking opening with the obvious single 'Radio Nowhere' is followed up by little gems at every turn. From 'Living in the Future' through to the subdued final untitled salute to a fallen comrade, Brooooooce provides the goods yet again. The E-Street Band are on their very best form through-out, sensitive support at every turn from Clements / Bittan etc slow builds to gut busting crescendos. Goes to prove that the oldies can still provide the goodies, sheer 'Magic' not harf as Fluff might have said.