Album Review: Magic by Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band

Review Summary: Bruce Springsteen And The E Street Band return after five years with Magic. Nothing up their sleeves, just great rock n roll.When we last heard from Bruce Springsteen And The E Street Band five years ago the group had just recorded their second album together in nearly 20 years, the 9/11 inspired The Rising. A fine effort full of good songs and strong performances, the album put Bruce Springsteen and his legendary group of backing players back on the map not as a band recapturing past glories as was sometimes suggested of their 1999 reunion tour, but as a vital and creative rock n roll unit once more.

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Touted as the first E Street Band album in five years, Magic casts off the solemnity of 2002's The Rising for the top-down rush of "Radio Nowhere." Kick-off and canonical bull's-eye, its "I just want to hear some rhythm" chant strips Magic free of pretense. Hop on, strap in. Producer Brendan O'Brien grunges a muddy mix as opposed to the diamond cut of 2005's Devils & Dust, continuing his Bossman's studio condescension of Clarence Clemons & Co.

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