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Rating:
By now, a new album from the Boss in the showcase isn't an extraordinary scoop anymore, as this would be the third studio album since 2004 ("Devils And Dust" and "The Seeger Sessions" being the previous ones), not to mention live performances, DVDs, re-releases with unreleased tracks, etc. But it is the first since "The Rising" (2001) to feature the anticipated return with the E-Street Band. Expectations are thus rewarded by this "Magic", which brings back to our ears the fantastic sax solos of Clarence Clemons, the guitar strums and dreamy harmonies of Little Steven that accompany our man's hoarse and screaming voice.
The album opens with "Radio Nowhere", the first single, outlining the general guidelines of the work: guitars in the foreground, sax solos, and choral power. But nothing new under the sun, and it is in this way that tracks flow quickly, reminding us of older episodes: "You'll Be Coming Down" seems a good rip-off of "Lucky Town", "Livin' in The Future" vaguely recalls "10th Avenue Freeze Out", "Girls In Their Summer Clothes" is a catchy remake of "Waitin' On A Sunny Day". But there are also higher episodes that, however, do not clearly emerge at first listen (Gipsy Biker, Last To Die, I'll Work for Your Love), while "Your Own Worst Enemy" disappoints with its tones of a romantic-Christmas ballad accompanied by violins. The title-track, perhaps the best song on the album, is a sad country ballad with sustained dynamics, seemingly coming out of "Tom Joad". In this sense, the electro-acoustic chapters are more striking (Devil's Arcade, or Long Walk Home, which concludes with a great guitar-sax duet), bringing us back to "Devils And Dust", rather than the more genuinely E-Street powerful rock. The album closes with the beautiful "Terry's Song", a pastoral country ballad led by acoustic guitar and harmonica. In conclusion, a confirmation that doesn't stray much from the sounds of "The Rising", often enriched with acoustic nuances, and that requires more than one listen to be fully appreciated.
Musically, the album is well-directed, although the insipid instrumental breaks often led by violins leave a bit to be desired, while the furious choral parts assert themselves aggressively. The lyrics are a mix between the poetic rock on the road of "The River" and the more composed maturity of "The Rising", with sometimes elevated lyrics (Magic, Devil's Arcade, Gipsy Biker). Thus, an album that maintains a certain mediocrity from start to finish, pleasant, but not extraordinary, without peaks high or severe drops in style. Not having the credits at hand, I can't be sure, but searching the web, there are rumors that not all tracks were recorded with the E-Street; it seems to be a middle ground between "Tunnel Of Love", where musicians appeared individually, and "The Rising", recorded with the full Band. Furthermore, there is talk of the last album with the historic band since the musicians seem to be of a certain age, and Springsteen seems to have moved away from the old wall of sound for some time now, something that echoes even in this latest album.
What will happen after "Magic" is not for us to know, but only to imagine. For sure, we will be here ready to be amazed again by the Boss...
Tracklist Lyrics Samples and Videos
01 Radio Nowhere (03:19)
I was trying to find my way home
But all I heard was a drone
Bouncin' off a satellite
Crushing the last long American night
This is radio nowhere
Is there anybody alive out there?
This is radio nowhere
Is there anybody alive out there?
I was staring at a dead dial
Just another lost number in a file
Dancin' down a dark hole
Just searching for a world with some soul
This is radio nowhere
Is there anybody alive out there?
This is radio nowhere
Is there anybody alive out there?
Is there anybody alive out there?
I just want to hear some rhythm
I just want to hear some rhythm
I just want to hear some rhythm
I just want to hear some rhythm
I want a thousand guitars
I want pounding drums
I want a million different voices speaking in tongues
This is radio nowhere
Is there anybody alive out there?
This is radio nowhere
Is there anybody alive out there?
Is there anybody alive out there?
I was driving through the misty rain
And just searching for a mystery train
Bopping through the wild blue
Trying to make a connection with you
This is radio nowhere
Is there anybody alive out there?
This is radio nowhere
Is there anybody alive out there?
Is there anybody alive out there?
I just want to feel some rhythm
I just want to feel some rhythm
I just want to feel your rhythm
I just want to feel your rhythm
I just want to feel your rhythm
I just want to feel your rhythm
I just want to feel your rhythm
(fade)
03 Livin' in the Future (03:56)
A letter come blowin' in on an ill wind
Somethin' 'bout me and you
Never seein' one another again
Yeah, well I knew it'd come
Still I was struck deaf and dumb
Like when we kissed, that taste of blood on your tongue
Don't worry Darlin', now baby don't you fret
We're livin' in the future and none of this has happened yet
Don't worry Darlin', now baby don't you fret
We're livin' in the future and none of this has happened yet
Woke up Election Day, skies gunpowder and shades of gray
Beneath a dirty sun, I whistled my time away
Then just about sundown
You come walkin' through town
Your boot heels clickin'
Like the barrel of a pistol spinnin' 'round
Don't worry Darlin', now baby don't you fret
We're livin' in the future and none of this has happened yet
Don't worry Darlin', now baby don't you fret
We're livin' in the future and none of this has happened yet
The earth it gave away, the sea rose toward the sun
I opened up my heart to you it got all damaged and undone
My ship Liberty sailed away on a bloody red horizon
The groundskeeper opened the gates and let the wild dogs run
I'm rollin' through town, a lost cowboy at sundown
Got my monkey on a leash, got my ear tuned to the ground
My faith's been torn asunder, tell me is that rollin' thunder
Or just the sinkin' sound of somethin' righteous goin' under?
Don't worry Darlin', now baby don't you fret
We're livin' in the future and none of this has happened yet
Don't worry Darlin', now baby don't you fret
We're livin' in the future and none of this has happened yet
Don't worry Darlin', now baby don't you fret
We're livin' in the future and none of this has happened yet
None of this has happened yet
None of this has happened yet
None of this has happened yet
None of this has happened yet
Na na na na. . .
05 Gypsy Biker (04:31)
The speculators made their money on the blood you shed
Your momma's pulled the sheets up off your bed
Profiteers on Jhames Street sold your shoes and clothes
Ain't nobody talkin' because everybody knows
We pulled your cycle up back the garage and polished up the chrome*
Our gypsy biker coming home
Sister Mary sits with your colors, but Johnny's drunk and gone
This old town's been rousted, which side you on?
They would march up over the hill, this old fools parade
Shouting victory for the righteous for you must hear the grace
Ain't nobody talkin', but just waiting on the phone
Gypsy biker coming home
Whoa!
[Guitar solo]
We rode into the foothills, Bobby brought the gasoline
We stood around the circle as she lit up the ravine
The spring hot desert wind rushed down on us all the way back home
[Harmonica bridge]
To the dead, well it don't matter much 'bout who's wrong or right
You asked me that question, I didn't get it right
You slipped into your darkness, now all that remains
Is my love for you brother, life's still unchanged
To him that threw you away, you ain't nothing but gone
My gypsy biker's coming home
And now I'm out countin' white lines
Countin' white lines and getting stoned
My gypsy biker's coming home
Whoa!
[Guitar solo]
La la la la
La la la la
La la la la
La la la la
La la la la
La la la la
La la la la
La la la la
[fades]
08 Magic (02:45)
I got a coin in my palm
I can make it disappear
I got a card up my sleeve
Name it and I’ll pull it out your ear
I got a rabbit in my hat
If you wanna come and see
This is what we’ll be
This is what we’ll be
I got shackles on my wrists
Soon I’ll slip 'em and be gone
Chain me in a box in the river
And I'll rise singin' this song
Trust none of what you hear
And less of what you see
This is what we’ll be
This is what we’ll be
I got a shiny saw blade
All I need’s a volunteer
I’ll cut you in half
While you're smilin’ ear to ear
And the freedom that you sought's
Drifting like a ghost amongst the trees
This is what we’ll be
This is what we’ll be
Now there’s a fire down below
But it’s coming up here
So leave everything you know
Carry only what you fear
On the road the sun is sinkin’ low
There’s bodies hangin' in the trees
This is what we’ll be
This is what we’ll be
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Other reviews
By Sacerdozio
Magic is therefore part of the lineage that connects Born in the U.S.A. to the underrated Tunnel of Love and Human Touch.
No one doubts that the album will be a success. For me, however, an 'owed' and transitional album.
By primiballi
The Boss is back, and moreover with the E Street, in one of those periodic comebacks that excite, annoy, bore, outrage, making people shout about both miracles and scandals.
Rock is dead but they forgot to tell Bruce Springsteen.
By KillerJoe
"Magic is an album I listened to every single day of my life for two consecutive years."
"Girls In Their Summer Clothes is Bruce Springsteen’s pop masterpiece... everything here flows perfectly."
