Bruce Springsteen has created some of the best rock music of his generation. Over the years the Boss has very rarely let his fans down except for maybe Lucky Town, but even that is debatable. So it was a complete shock to me to listen to the Boss’ new effort Magic with the E Street Band because its so……great.
Since coming off the tour behind the emotional album, The Rising, Springsteen has been off dong his own thing away from the band. He recorded the stripped down Devils and Dust album and most recently the Seeger Sessions album and tour. Apparently, the Boss felt the time was right to bring the E Street Band back into the studio and from the results he was right on. Magic brings Bruce and the band together to bring their magic to a stellar batch of rocking Springsteen originals.
As anticipated, Springsteen and the band bring us the guitars right from the beginning with the rocking yet poignant opening track, “Radio Nowhere.” The song is one of those simple but classic songs that sticks with you from the very first listen. The Boss even brings back the classic E Street Band sound with the rollicking “Livin’ In The Future” that makes excellent use of some sweet Clarence Clemons sax riffs. On songs like “Gypsy Biker” and “I’ll Work For Your Love,” the band rocks us E Street old school like you knew they could.
Its not until later in the album that Springsteen gives us a piece of his political mind. With the trio of songs, “Last To Die,” “Long Walk Home” and “Devil’s Arcade,” the Boss reminds us that we need to be careful with those that we allow to govern our country.
With Magic, the Boss keeps us moving to the future, reminding us of why a long time ago people called him the future of rock and roll.