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| Artist: Bruce Springsteen
Label: Columbia Records
List Price: $18.98
Buy New: $5.37
You Save: $13.61 (72%)
New (75) Used (39) Collectible (2) from $3.99
Rating:  408 reviews
Sales Rank: 438
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2
Dimensions (in): 5.5 x 4.7 x 0.2
MPN: 717060
UPC: 886971706024
EAN: 0886971706024
ASIN: B000V8I2QU
Release Date: October 2, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 6-10 of 408
 Radio Nowhere indeed October 3, 2007
CP
85 out of 108 found this review helpful
I'm sorry, but I just can't get behind this release. I like a lot of the Springsteen's work, but this is beyond me. The people complaining about the mixing job and the overproduction are correct. It seems like the Boss and band are just adapting to new age production techniques that are just not necessary. The lead off single is "Radio Nowhere" which is a terribly generic sounding rock song that sounds like it could have been done by Green Day (or some band like them). This is not what I was expecting from the BOSS. Also over the years Bruce seemed to develop this problem with singing through his teeth or mumbling. I can't get the words to well half the time which is a shame as he has wrote some amazing lyrics in the past. This problem is more evident on the rocker songs. If I had to pick the "best" couple songs I'd say "Livin' In the Future" and "Magic" (Which reminded me a bit of "I'm on Fire"). Even with those songs the overproduction is evident. I really don't see this release holding up to many repeat listens before going back in the drawer. Sorry.
 Is it just me? October 3, 2007
R. Schoenfeld (Castle Rock CO)
78 out of 89 found this review helpful
I was anxiously awaiting this CD. I think that Bruce is one of the greatest songsmiths in the business today. But, this (IMHO) has to be one of the muddiest sounding albums in recent memory. I can't understand the vocals (sure I could read the libretto however that's somewhat difficult while driving) and the instruments of this phenomenal group of seasoned musicians are indistinctly mashed together. It's almost unlistenable and somewhat frustrating as I ask myself why anyone who can certainly afford the best would put this out as is. My disappointment is not with the content but with the presentation that clouds what should be an exciting release.
More "Human Touch" than "The River" October 3, 2007
googleit (New Jersey)
78 out of 91 found this review helpful
As a huge Springsteen fan, I've been very excited to hear "Magic", especially considering the great advance buzz the CD has received in the press. Reviews have called it a return to the glory days, and I've heard several comparisons to "The River".
Sorry, but not even close. Anyone comparing this to "The River" needs to go back and re-listen to tracks like "The Ties That Bind", "Jackson Cage", and "Two Hearts". Those were propulsive rock tracks that swept up the listener in the amazing energy of Bruce and the band . Sadly, there's nothing on this new CD that lives up to those tracks. "Long Walk Home" probably comes the closest. It's a moving and slowly-building anthem with a memorable chorus and some lovely lyrics (it reminds me a little of "Land and Hope and Dreams", although lyrically LOHAD is a much better song). The rest of the songs are mainly mediocre pop songs that could be outtakes from "Human Touch". I think he's going for a sort of Beach-Boys-meets-the-Jersey-Shore sound that doesn't really work in my opinion. A song like "Girls in Their Summer Clothes" definitely has a "Pet Sounds" feel to it. And while it's a catchy pop song, it's certainly no great addition to the Springsteen catalog.
I am still glad to see this new release, as anything that gets Bruce and the band back out on tour is ok by me. But I would not call "Magic" a triumph or a return to the rockin glory days of the E Street Band. Bruce is older, and mellower, and perhaps the band is too.
Inexcusable production October 4, 2007
Jazzy Jake (Severna Park, Maryland United States)
75 out of 85 found this review helpful
I need to play this quite a few more times to judge the songs. On first listen, I've found some of the arrangements interesting, some songs catchy and some lyrics interesting. Overall OK given that I'm not a huge Bruuuuuuce fan. Eventually, I'd likely give it a 3 or perhaps 4 star rating based on content.
But.... The production and engineering of this CD is inexcusable. The sound is very compressed - WHY? It is also very muddy, often hard to discern the lyrics through the fog of sound. It's 2007; O'Brien should be embarrassed at a production this unlistenable - for a major artist no less, who should have access to the best facilities and technicians.
My Vandersteen speakers swallowed this CD up. Even the normally expansive Vandys couldn't overcome the compression of this recording.
Springsteen should insist that this be remastered or rerecorded; unbought copies of this be recalled; anyone who bought it be sent the remastered version if they send in proof-of-purchase.
How the label, artist, producer or engineer let this travesty see the light of day is inexplicable. It is 2007 isn't it?
not up to the hype October 3, 2007
M. Mercer (n.c.)
74 out of 94 found this review helpful
I should have known better than believe all the hype which was probably generated by Bruce's record label and his own P.R. people. This cd is weak with little inspiration. I thought if I just turned it up really loud it would sound better. I was wrong.
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