• Record Label: Geffen
  • Release Date: May 17, 2005
Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 9
  2. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. Magic Time is one of those rare, intermittent Van Morrison records that consciously offers a bird's eye view of everywhere he's been musically and weaves it all together into a heady brew.
  2. Thankfully, for Morrison, the joy still comes from the journey, and the Magic Time is the time when he’s still striving, wandering and ?ghting off complacency.
  3. Belfast's most cantankerous son is in a mellow mood, looking back languidly over the blues and soul music he grew up on.
  4. Missteps aside, Magic Time delivers that familiar blanket on a chill winter’s day vibe, and Morrison fans will thankfully bury themselves under it.
  5. This destined-to-be-classic release will please a wide variety of his fans.
  6. Rolling Stone
    70
    Some seriously astral blues poetry... and a lot of mellow, easy-rolling folk-jazz numbers about the evils of the modern world and the struggle of the poet. [19 May 2005, p.76]
  7. Mojo
    60
    Mostly it's just business as usual with Van in reasonably good form. [Jun 2005, p.95]
  8. Uncut
    60
    Magic Time ultimately reveals itself to be the sort of strangely mixed bag that will be all too familiar to those who've hung on with patient, fervent belief through the '90s and beyond. [Jun 2005, p.114]
  9. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    He has rarely sounded more engaging. [3 Jun 2005, p.82]
User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 8 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 8
  2. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. EricK
    Jul 20, 2005
    10
    Great band...his voice is still awesome. Not on par with his 70s albums, but what is? Some great songs - Magic Time, Just Like Greta, Celtic Great band...his voice is still awesome. Not on par with his 70s albums, but what is? Some great songs - Magic Time, Just Like Greta, Celtic New Year, Keep Mediocrity at Bay, Gypsy in my Soul. Keep them coming, Van! Full Review »
  2. PaulF
    Jun 23, 2005
    9
    The Man's a blood genius .... And i am seeing live this saturday in sussex England. I think Magic Time is better then the last 2,and The Man's a blood genius .... And i am seeing live this saturday in sussex England. I think Magic Time is better then the last 2,and almost on par with Back on Top. Full Review »
  3. DavidK
    Jun 15, 2005
    8
    Solid. Sweet. Spunky. Morrison keeps surprising with his deft command of everything that's natural and gimicky about pop soul and rock. Solid. Sweet. Spunky. Morrison keeps surprising with his deft command of everything that's natural and gimicky about pop soul and rock. His vocals remain resilient and soulful. This is right up there with the tip top in his catalog. Full Review »