My world » Bruce Springsteen Magic

Published on October 10, 2007 By terpfan1980 In Music

At one point in time (back before Springsteen cozied up to AlGore, John Kerry and company) I was perhaps one of the biggest Springsteen fans you would find. I had just about every commercially available Bruce Springsteen CD that had been minted, and a few rare recordings as well. I didn't just like his music, I loved his music. Just about all of it.

Sadly, Springsteen's political activism came along and I found myself not wanting to hear his music thanks to an association of his singing with politicians I loathed. I sold off my copies of most of the discs I owned, keeping just a few that I really couldn't part with and shelving those deep back in my music cabinet to wait until I might be ready to listen to his music again.

In the interim Springsteen released Devils and Dust, a disc that, for me, got absolutely no play time. Literally that disc sits unopened as I just never felt inclined to listen to the tunes on it. I heard almost none of the tracks on the radio, even on satellite radio with it's deep tracks features that play songs you wouldn't normally hear. Reviews (by memory) of that disc were mixed, and reaction seemed luke warm at best.

A few years have passed since then, and now Springsteen is back with the E Street band with the new disc Magic. The question is, is that disc able to live up to that name, or no?

Well, for the answer check the comments area where I'll be continuing my thoughts.

Comments

terpfan1980

on Oct 10, 2007

Thanks for continuing here.

I'll try to be brief, but who knows how that will turn out.

Anyway, is the new CD Magic-al, or is it just a nice try that doesn't quite make it?

I've seen comments and reviews that praise the disc as the next great Springsteen disc, with powerful music making it the greatest thing since Born in the USA. That may be the opinion of others, but for me I don't think that is the case.

I can't quite put my finger on what is wrong for me here, but the closest I think I can get is to say that in many ways the disc and the songs are too heavy. I don't mean too heavy as in heavy metal. I mean the songs tend to have the musicians over-powering the lyrics, and all of it is more bass happy, and more booming than songs such as those on Born to Run or on the Springsteen solo effort Tunnel of Love (which I really enjoyed).

There are some songs on the disc which harken back to the Glory Days of Springsteen and the E Street band times, but over all the compilation seems to be one where the music and songs are almost depressing and grey and not because of the subject matter (such as was the case in the post 9-11 disc The Rising). I can't say that the lyrics are depressing, just that the end product of the songs are. They aren't happy, they aren't optimistic, they aren't uplifting, they are headed towards lifeless and with a lot of negative energy and near droning style that makes me long for better days, and happier songs.

Some comments and reviews about the disc point out that Springsteen is clearly sending messages about current events, politics and the likes. I suppose that is the case and that this disc is trying to say that the skies are dark from Springsteen's perspective, but I don't see the current situation that negatively and find myself listening to the disc wondering why I am doing that. I don't get an emotional attachment, and barely register an emotional reaction where in the past I've listened to the songs on the various discs and even when the material is serious, still found myself responding and bonding to the characters in the song.

I guess I'll wind up selling off the copy of Magic in the near future and will go back to hoping that eventually there's another Born to Run to come from Springsteen, or perhaps another Tunnel of Love. Even something like The Rising would be welcomed. Something that I can enjoy in some way or another, rather than being left feeling ambivalent about what I've heard.

Moderateman

on Oct 10, 2007

I refuse to put money into the pockets of people that seem to think America is the worlds bad-guy!

Welcome Guest! Please take the time to register with us.
There are many great features available to you once you register, including:

Richer content, access to many features that are disabled for guests like commenting on the forums.
Access to a great community, with a massive database of many, many areas of interest.
Access to contests & subscription offers like exclusive emails.
It's simple, and FREE!