Willman on Springsteen's "Magic"
"I know you don't delve into music too much, but if you're at all interested, you should check out the Bruce Springsteen album that comes out today, Magic. It relates a little bit to what you've been talking about regarding the Iraq-oriented films. He has made an album that at first obliquely and, at the very end, overtly gets into the tragedy of the war and the deception behind it (which even the title alludes to).
"And he's done it in the form of his first record with the E Street Band that sounds like the most classic E Street Band album since Born in the USA 23 years ago.
"In other words, he's candy-coated a bitter pill that speaks to the truth of America today -- brilliantly, uncompromisingly, and entertainingly. It's the best album I've heard in at least a decade, and I think it takes about a dozen listens (I'm probably on about my 50th) to really realize what he's achieved. Now, if someone could figure out a way to make a film that pulled off that same balance." -- from Entertainment Weekly's Chris Willman.
Posted by Jeffrey Wells on October 2, 2007 at 3:08 PM
comment #1
Rod32303
says ...
Normally I download a lot of music (LIMEWIRE ROCKS!) but I actually went out and bought this CD today.
He's a motherfucking genius. Sonically, it is a BEAUTIFUL record (check out "Girls In Their Summer Clothes" to hear what he and the E Street band do best). It's a sly, almost celebratory record that slaps you in the face a couple times. My 69 year old mother (PROUD African-American woman) always says "that boy's got soul, Roddy."
Never was that more true than on this album.
Posted by Rod32303
at October 2, 2007 3:33 PM
comment #2
Rod32303
says ...
Normally I download a lot of music (LIMEWIRE ROCKS!) but I actually went out and bought this CD today.
He's a motherfucking genius. Sonically, it is a BEAUTIFUL record (check out "Girls In Their Summer Clothes" to hear what he and the E Street band do best). It's a sly, almost celebratory record that slaps you in the face a couple times. My 69 year old mother (PROUD African-American woman) always says "that boy's got soul, Roddy."
Never was that more true than on this album.
Posted by Rod32303
at October 2, 2007 3:33 PM
comment #3
Rod32303
says ...
shit. didn't mean to post it twice. THAT'S how ECSTATIC I am about this record!!!!!!!!
Posted by Rod32303
at October 2, 2007 3:34 PM
comment #4
Ian Sinclair
says ...
It's been playing on my iTunes all day.
Posted by Ian Sinclair
at October 2, 2007 3:35 PM
comment #5
jjgittes
says ...
Here's a tip : It isn't even the best record of its type made this year (although I love Bruce and think it's very strong indeed).
The Ike Reilly Assassination record "We Belong to the Staggering Evening" captures much of the same mindset as "Magic" and does it better - and touches on the war in the 2 most devastating songs anyone has written about it : "Broken Parakeet Blues" and "It's Hard to Make Love to An American".
Do your self a favor, check it out and thank me later. It's the album of the year and I can only assume the writer of the EW article and most people haven't heard it.
Check out the bands myspace or something.
Posted by jjgittes
at October 2, 2007 3:50 PM
comment #6
malibugigolo
says ...
Of course the album is great, just look at the thread count on Bruce's t-shirt.
high, very high.
Posted by malibugigolo
at October 2, 2007 4:17 PM
comment #7
Pelham123
says ...
The Springsteen record is great. He spent last Friday morning on the "Today" show and those performances are all over YouTube, etc. I've heard the Ike Reilly Asassination but only the tracks on their My Space page, which are very good. I'll have to pick that one up. You might also check out the new Steve Earle record, "Washington Square Serenade", which is very much in the same lyrical & political vein.
Posted by Pelham123
at October 2, 2007 4:40 PM
comment #8
Kristopher Tapley
says ...
Springsteen fucking rocks. Wish they'd get that LA show a venue. Seen him three times and it melts my face every time.
Posted by Kristopher Tapley
at October 2, 2007 9:32 PM
comment #9
goodvibe61
says ...
It's at the Sports Arena Kristopher.
Posted by goodvibe61
at October 2, 2007 10:19 PM
comment #10
Kristopher Tapley
says ...
Oh...sweet.
Posted by Kristopher Tapley
at October 2, 2007 11:17 PM
comment #11
Larry
says ...
Bruce has lost it. People still talk about him, but when they're alone in their car, they won't play his music. (As far as his politics, he stopped thinking seriously about 25 years ago.)
Posted by Larry
at October 3, 2007 1:42 AM
comment #12
BurmaShave
says ...
Larry are you illiterate and did you just dictate that to your child to type on your behalf? Clearly we're all talking about him. I haven't gotten 'Magic' yet, but I still spin 'The Rising' about once a month or so. And when I try to remember the '80s, I just think of Reagan and Gorbachev dancing to the tune of 'Cover Me'.
Posted by BurmaShave
at October 3, 2007 2:05 AM
comment #13
George Prager
says ...
"Bruce has lost it. People still talk about him, but when they're alone in their car, they won't play his music. (As far as his politics, he stopped thinking seriously about 25 years ago.)"
Yes, indeed, the erectile dysfuntion crowd is mad at Bruce.
Posted by George Prager
at October 3, 2007 11:51 AM
comment #14
truefaith
says ...
MAGIC is Springsteen's best album since BORN IN THE U.S.A. Glad to see he's getting back to his roots. I've been playing MAGIC practically non-stop since I got it.
Posted by truefaith
at October 4, 2007 1:04 AM
comment #15
DavidF
says ...
It's lovely to see so many Bruce fans here (save, Larry).
It gets so tired hearing the "this guy can't sing" crowd or the morons who only know about car songs and "My Hometown."
Like it or not he is one of the most skilled, succesful and important musicians in the history of rock and roll. If you can sit through his live show without your heartbeat accelerating - I don't care if you love Korn or Maroon5 - you don't know rock n roll.
I didn't LOVE Magic the first time I heard it - it seemed a bit "passive" - but its laid-back and subtle attitude has grown on my very quickly. People who only think Springsteen is some bombastic shouter could not have less of a clue.
Seeing him in about 10 days and can't wait.
Posted by DavidF
at October 4, 2007 6:40 AM
comment #16
Marnye
says ...
I love this new CD. At first I was disappointed, I thought it was too samey, that no track really stood out, but it has really grown on me and now I love it. It's the work of a mature rocker concerned by what is happening in his country and it's better than "The Rising". Nobody synthetizes rock and pop like he does. I have to wait until Dec. 17 to see him in my European city. He is the only rocker who gave us 3 different shows in 4 years: rock in 2002/2003, solo acoustic in 2005 and folk/country/gospel/etc. in 2006 with the Seeger sessions, and now back to rock. Rock on, Bruce!
Posted by Marnye
at October 4, 2007 1:26 PM