Magic
by Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band
  • Record Label: Sony
  • Release Date: Oct 2, 2007
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 115 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 101 out of 115
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 115
  3. Negative: 5 out of 115

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  1. SeanC.
    Oct 2, 2007
    10
    Easily his best since Born in the USA.
  2. Dave
    Oct 3, 2007
    10
    I am not an enthusiastic Springsteen fan, but I have appreciated his work over the years. This album, however, is a stunner. It's brilliant. So far, it's the one to beat for Album of the Year.
  3. Vassilis
    Oct 14, 2007
    10
    His best album since The Rising
  4. FlemmingK.
    Oct 20, 2007
    10
    Time will show, that this will be recognized as one of the great 4. Born To Run, Darkness, River and Magic! Play it through 10-20 times and your reservations will be gone. Mine was! Already a classic!
  5. MartinS
    Oct 4, 2007
    10
    With the exception of Spoon's latest, I haven't been this impressed with an album in the past 6 months. It's classic Springsteen. I think he's returned to his roots on this one. This is also his most socially conscious album yet--some would say politically charged. I don't know how this is going over many heads--Last to Die, Magic, Devil's Arcade, Long Walk With the exception of Spoon's latest, I haven't been this impressed with an album in the past 6 months. It's classic Springsteen. I think he's returned to his roots on this one. This is also his most socially conscious album yet--some would say politically charged. I don't know how this is going over many heads--Last to Die, Magic, Devil's Arcade, Long Walk Home, and Radio Nowhere, specifically.… Expand
  6. DOUGO
    Oct 4, 2007
    10
    ONE OF HIS BEST WORKS.
  7. TobyC.
    Oct 5, 2007
    10
    The more I listen to it the more I love it. I forgot how much I missed Bruce and his pop style. This isn't pop music in "easy" form however. These songs go deep and resonate for a long time.
  8. MartyS
    Oct 8, 2007
    10
    Where's Mojo's 5 star review???? That will surely offset that bullsh*t review by the chic from Stylus who raved about Mandy Moore. This is a great album. If you don't like it, you must want the terrorists to win.
  9. AndersonS.
    Oct 9, 2007
    10
    I haven't heard THIS Bruce in a long time. It's great.
  10. BethR.
    Oct 11, 2007
    10
    One of my favorite Bruce albums.
  11. ShannaV
    Oct 14, 2007
    10
    I love this album!!!!!!! M.I.A., Radiohead, Ryan Adams, Spoon, the White Stripes, and Bruce.....this has been a great few months for music.
  12. ZackA.
    Oct 14, 2007
    10
    While I have heard a lot about Springsteen's politicism on this record, I for one know it's nothing new. He's always been a social commentator. The difference here is that it is clear he is responding to a particular administration, while in the past it was more of a focus on the personal lives of his characters. The assault on the American way, however, of the latest While I have heard a lot about Springsteen's politicism on this record, I for one know it's nothing new. He's always been a social commentator. The difference here is that it is clear he is responding to a particular administration, while in the past it was more of a focus on the personal lives of his characters. The assault on the American way, however, of the latest administration clearly requires a more direct response. I like this record more than I did The Rising; it is shorter and more compact. Give it a few listens and you will begin to understand the acclaim.… Expand
  13. dec
    Oct 15, 2007
    10
    Best work in a generation
  14. NathanJr
    Oct 17, 2007
    10
    Great stuff. Bill O Riley can suck it.
  15. BradClark
    Oct 2, 2007
    10
    This is a great album! It ranks as one of his best!
  16. JRS
    Oct 2, 2007
    10
    Um, where's Mojo and Rolling Stone's 5 star review? This is a great album.
  17. DeclanW.
    Oct 2, 2007
    10
    His best work since TofL.
  18. EricM
    Oct 3, 2007
    10
    This is and excellent album. I can see myself listening to this for a long time.
  19. MikeL
    Oct 3, 2007
    10
    Magic is the Bruce CD I've been anticipating for the past 27 years.
  20. MattD.
    Oct 3, 2007
    10
    Any review source that gives this masterpiece less than a 60 will be joining Pitchfork on my do not visit list. Stylus and Austin Chronicle are certainly no losses. This is classic Springsteen - reminds me of Born In The USA, but with some of the moodiness and organic sound of The River. I can't see how any fan could dislike Magic.
  21. Neoptolemos
    Oct 4, 2007
    10
    That pitchfork review, besides the part in the summary metacritic has sounds more like an 8.6 than a 6.8.
  22. FrankieT
    Oct 5, 2007
    10
    This is the best music I've heard in the past several months. Gypsy Biker and Girls in Their Summer Clothes.....awesome.
  23. KLM
    Oct 6, 2007
    10
    Ranks up there with the releases of Eddie Vedder, MIA, Spoon, The National, and Spoon this year. Excellent. One of his bests. Great melodies. Great lyrics. And, it's very relevant. It has a message while still rocking.
  24. DeanM
    Oct 9, 2007
    10
    Excellent. Where's reviews by Christian Science Monitor, Time, and Mojo--all rave reviews, but they're not included. But we get the review of the moron from Stylus that loved the Mandy Moore album.
  25. MassimoL.
    Oct 9, 2007
    10
    It's a great piece of music. Bruce Springsteen is great and this Time the songs are so beautiful.
  26. AprilM
    Oct 11, 2007
    10
    Brilliant.
  27. ShawnG.
    Oct 11, 2007
    10
    My favorite Springsteen in 20 years.
  28. DougPiwinski
    Oct 2, 2007
    10
    Ain't no time like BOSS time!
  29. TomT.
    Oct 2, 2007
    10
    I am a long time Fan of the The Boss, and while I enjoyed his "side projects" like "Devils and Dust" and "The Seeger Sessions", I was hoping for E Street Band sounds and am delighted with this CD. While Springsteen CD's are always great, there is usually a track or two you could do without. This time around, I can't think of any duds. Some reviews I have read are less I am a long time Fan of the The Boss, and while I enjoyed his "side projects" like "Devils and Dust" and "The Seeger Sessions", I was hoping for E Street Band sounds and am delighted with this CD. While Springsteen CD's are always great, there is usually a track or two you could do without. This time around, I can't think of any duds. Some reviews I have read are less enthusiastic about the "Beach Boys" influence on "Your Own Worst Enemy" and "Girls in Their Summer Clothes". I did a double take when I first heard them, but they have grown on me. For me, the last three songs are the highlight of the CD. Can't wait to hear them live!!… Expand
  30. ChadM
    Oct 20, 2007
    10
    His best album in years. The E Street band have never sounded tighter. This is sure to go down as a classic.
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Awards & Rankings

38
#38 Most Discussed Album of 2007

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 37 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 37
  3. Negative: 1 out of 37
  1. Los Angeles Times
    100
    It's the way Springsteen injects his American bible stories with the air of disbelief that makes Magic a truly mature and memorable album.
    Read full review
  2. Uncut
    80
    It trades in giddying, irresistible, full-steam-ahead-and-damn-the-torpedoes rock'n'roll. But at its heart, it's essentially a thoughtful wander in search of personal and national innocence.
    Read full review
  3. Drowned In Sound
    80
    Magic is a strong record, riddled with sad emotion yet a noble intent to carry on.
    Read full review
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