The worst sounding great album? A fresh look at Bruce Springsteen's 2007 album, Magic

[@patrickmcguire7494]

Radio Nowhere was one of my earliest Springsteen songs that really stuck with me and I still hold it close to this day! You’re spot on that Magic is a solid album top to bottom, and it needs more respect!!

[@weescott11]

I’ll work for your love is one of my all time favourite Springsteen songs. Wish the piano was higher in the mix on most songs but overall I love the album

[@songtripping4165]

Thanks for the comment. I should have talked more about the mix. Magic needs both a remix and remaster.

[@markjohnston8631]

Thanks for your interesting review. I bought “Magic” at midnight on its release date here in L.A. and listened to it in my car and then at home that night. I loved it from the first listen and it’s still one of my favorite Springsteen albums. I get what you’re saying about the loudness but it doesn’t bother me much. (I get what people are saying about the sound of “The River,” too, but I think the sound is perfect for that collection.) I was lucky enough to see 5 or 6 shows on the Magic tour, and they were all just incredible!

[@songtripping4165]

I can only imagine how great those Magic tour shows must have been! I feel like the production on The River is an acquired taste. They wanted it to sound like garage rock, and I can respect the artistic intention there. And yes, the sound does seem to suit the material. For me, it was a big contrast to the sound of Darkness on the Edge of town, one of the better produced Springsteen albums IMHO.

[@GuadalupePicasso]

The rendition of Reason To Believe on that tour was absolutely phenomenal!!!!!!!

[@micheleferigo3691]

I absolutely agree on everything, most of all regarding the mastering. A beautiful album wasted by an unintelligible sound. Good review!

[@astralflick]

Saw Springsteen in LA and few weeks ago with my dad, I was always a casual fan of his, but I have become obsessed after seeing him live. I am happy to see people talking about his work on KZbin.

[@songtripping4165]

I have not had the pleasure of seeing him live. Thanks for the comment!

[@rossweidman9997]

I just started revisiting Magic this year and it’s become one of my favorites. I don’t really mind loudness of the mix/master (although I’ve never listened on a real HiFi system), and I think the production has aged much better than all the E Street Band albums since Born in the USA, except for probably Letter To You. Also it helps that the album is concise - no need for a 1 hr 10 min album! Great review!!

[@songtripping4165]

Thanks! I don’t want my comments about the sound to prevent anyone from hearing this album. I like the songs so much. Yes, the conciseness is a strength!

[@stefanovox]

Your Own Worst Enemy was my favorite.

[@songtripping4165]

Great song!

[@greggorsag9787]

You are correct to focus on this record. For me, all of Springsteen’s albums through Tunnel of Love have great stuff on them, though like most artists, his best stuff is early on. This record and the Seeger Sessions represented a short reprise of his early energy and, yes, magic. Lyrics aren’t quite up to the early standard, but are very good. Radio, Girls, You’ll Be Comin’ Down, and Terry’s Song are the highlights. As far as the mastering goes, it was Bob Ludwig, who did most of his records. So these were likely conscious choices. I always saw the muddier mix and in-your-face sound as Springsteen recognizing that he just didn’t have the fireworks of his youth anymore, but still wanted the blast, and gave himself a push to get there.

[@songtripping4165]

Thanks for the comments! Yes, no doubt the mixing and mastering was intentional. It was also the heyday of brickwall mastered stuff -- everyone was in a race to the top of the loudness ladder.

[@baybae92]

Such a great album. Got me hardcore into Springsteen when it came out in high school.

[@magnuslauglo5356]

Long Walk Home is the song that seems most essential to me from this - Girls in Their Summer Clothes is also very strong, and there are a bunch of powerful and dark rock songs.

[@GuadalupePicasso]

At my 3rd Springsteen show, (9/11/16, Pittsburgh) he opened the encore with a solo, acoustic rendition of Long Walk Home, by sign request, no less! If you can find a recording of it, it’s absolutely phenomenal! In fact that entire show, opening with New York City Serenade and closing with Bobby Jean, was absolutely phenomenal!!!

[@magnuslauglo5356]

@@GuadalupePicasso I have that show on a Nugs release :)

[@GuadalupePicasso]

@@magnuslauglo5356 I’m obviously biased, since I was there for it; but, I think that it’s easily one of the best from at least that leg of the tour. Seriously, also playing about half of The Rising album alone was worth the price of admission!

[@thetrevorosborne]

Superb album with "The Rising" the best since the reunion with the E Street Band in 1999 in my opinion.

[@thomasschoepf65]

In my opinion the magic-album is one of the top five springsteen-albums! The sound is great!

[@8ackbiter434]

Lots of excellent songs. It's an album I've always rated very highly. Can't say I've had an issue with the production. I'm not a big fan of the sound on THE River, and was amazed to read (in his fantastic autobiog) that Steve van Zandt thinks that album has the best production of any Springsteen record - presumably because he played a big role in it.

[@songtripping4165]

I agree with you about The River. I imagine Steve was going for a garage rock vibe on that one, and I suppose it works on that level, but I never thought it sounded great. Good album, though! My main beef with Magic is the loudness factor.

[@thetrevorosborne]

Agree THE RIVER is really bad production wise Especially on the rockier songs so tinny and no bottom end.("Two Hearts " is really bad sound wise) what were they doing ???

[@greggorsag9787]

It may be a bit unfair, but I always thought The River was the record where Springsteen’s writing lost urgency and immediacy as his career skyrocketed. He starts reaching back in time for inspiration and resorting to cliches far more frequently. I also agree on the production. Feels tiny and ineffectual against the three preceding records. That tour, however, was incredible. The rest of his output is mostly flat with some transcendent flares (last being on “Magic”). But the three central works are Wild, Innocent . . ., Born to Run, and Darkness.

[@8ackbiter434]

@@greggorsag9787 Agree with all that. The River tour was the first time I got to see Springsteen, at Wembley Arena, back in the days when he didn't play UK stadium gigs. It was the best gig I've ever seen. Most of the songs on The River are very mediocre and unmemorable compared to most of his output across his entire career, and the sound is generally a turn-off for my ears.

[@greggorsag9787]

@@8ackbiter434 Count yourself lucky that you saw Springsteen live when you did. I saw various iterations over the years, and the E-Street Band still had its focus and fire through the “Born in the USA” tour. Later versions, with various and sundry “additions,” people playing unplugged or buried instruments, and lack of connection to the band’s roots, became muddy and lackluster. Still a decent show versus most rock acts, but nothing like the RnR transcendence you saw.

[@rajeshlala8553]

Top review..It's highly underrated. Western Stars is another.

[@songtripping4165]

Agreed!

[@rajeshlala8553]

@@songtripping4165.. Moonlight Motel is as good as anything Bruce has written... some movies are not as descriptive.

[@songtripping4165]

@@rajeshlala8553 Yes, it's cinematic! I just listened to it again. So well written. I'd like to review this album someday, because I feel like people don't give it the credit it deserves!

[@ktbrooke]

Why do so many Springsteen albums sound so average? I’d assume with his knowledge, resources and plain love of music, it would be something he’d care about. A friend suggests he is always aiming for something that would sound good on an old AM radio station, akin to what he grew up with as a child. An interesting idea. I love his music but not so much the production choices.

[@songtripping4165]

Your friend's idea might be right. A lot of Bruce's music has that wall of sound approach that Phil Spector minted in the glory days of AM top 40 radio. Thanks for the comment.

[@baub58]

I think “Darkness On The Edge Of Town”, “Born In The USA”, “The River” and “Tunnel Of Love” sound far clearer, far less muddy than “Magic”.

[@thetrevorosborne]

@@baub58 I have to disagree "The River" and "Darkness" whilst have great songs on them have awful production .The River seriously needs to be remixed its far too bright and has no bottom end.While its well documented that Springsteen was really dissatisfied with the sound of "Darkness" (being far too sterile). One of the reasons why so many of the songs on these albums sounded so much better live....

[@chrisbodegraven4789]

@@thetrevorosborne Those two albums may, in your opinion, have awful production, but they are still easier to listen to than “Magic”.

[@ra5315]

​@thetrevorosborne In regard to Darkness and The River, yes, without question. Most especially the River. Great album, but it sounds like the band is playing inside a coffee can a mile away.

[@johnnyM809]

A great album and a great tour to follow.

[@petel5781]

The only Bruce concert I ever got to was Perth, Australia and the two highlights were not the songs I was looking forward to. They were Girls In Their Summer Clothes and I’ll Work For Your Love, both acoustic and solo. Just outstanding and those songs immediately moved up my all time favourite lists.

[@petel5781]

And I listened to Terry’s Song on the morning of my father’s funeral and it wrecked me and healed me at the same time.

[@holitipu]

A fantastic album..but as with all Bruce s music...becomes something else live. This was a very strong and angry album and political with a small p. The lyrics are super important..you do have to listen...I m not sure 'most songwtiters ' do write like that as you say.

[@songtripping4165]

Good point about the live presentation. I should check out some live shows of this material!

[@davidatkinson-lifematters4826]

An album of many great songs, but utterly awful to listen to on even a modest hifi system. Recordings from the live shows are far superior. It was a great tour.

[@madteam3parents773]

One of my favorites of his

[@Machia52612]

Great song, Radio Nowhere. Rest of LP, not bad. Bruce 1972-1988. Top of his game, especially 1974-1975.🎸

[@songtripping4165]

Yes, peak Bruce for me is the first decade.

[@theTruthLifeNWay]

It's his best album ever from start to finish, but think it needs a remix and remaster release, totally agree with your points here

[@songtripping4165]

I'll be first in line to buy a remix/remaster!

[@theTruthLifeNWay]

@@songtripping4165 would love it if the stems were available, I'd love to have a go at remixing/remastering also 🙏

[@user-jz4gy2vk4c]

When I bought Magic I took it back to the store thinking something was wrong with it,agree.

[@songtripping4165]

Wow! Did you buy the CD or vinyl?

[@user-jz4gy2vk4c]

@@songtripping4165 have both

[@bboross]

I agree, great songs but the album sounds muddy, little definition between instruments. Always feels distorted. Didn’t he record this one in Georgia with Brendan (forget his last name)? It’s a mess. However, this is a 1960s Dylan style protest album about Bush/Iraq war in only the way an artist with the longevity/experience/wisdom of Bruce could create. No one else could have made this album. As for Girls in Summer Clothes - that phrase is off of an old Stones tune. I wonder if Bruce just took that phrase and riffed on it to write this fabulous song? Livin’ in the Future is great, but too much of a rewrite of Tenth Ave Freezeout. But overall, a great under-rated album by Bruce.

[@songtripping4165]

I didn't realize there was a tie-in with the Stones. Interesting. That title is also shared with an Irwin Shaw short story, The Girls in Summer Dresses.

[@RS-pp7ng]

I beg to differ. It's one of this best sounding albums ever.

[@larsege123]

Totally agree!

[@songtripping4165]

To each their own. I'm glad you like the sound!

[@gabbyhyman1246]

I'm in the group that says the whole album is political. It's a perfect outgrowth of The Rising. Both albums layer political songs with personal anthems. Love, loneliness, terror, betrayal. Last to Die is both about the death of love as well as an echo of John Kerry's remark about Vietnam--a dark mistake that led to violence at home and abroad. Magic is all a political response to Bush gaslighting. Trust nothing. Same rifts are widening at this very moment.

[@songtripping4165]

Great interpretation. Thanks for sharing it!

[@FromTheRightAngle]

As a huge Springsteen fan but someone with zero knowledge of 'loudness', could you explain what the fact that it's 'loud' matter? Wouldn't you just turn the volume down? Serious question, not being a dick. Loved your video!

[@songtripping4165]

Thanks for the question! Loudness in this context relates to how the music has been mixed and mastered. Engineers use tools like compressors and limiters to crunch dynamic range and then crank the overall volume, so even when the music is at lower volumes it sounds loud. If you're listening in headphones such music can quickly become fatiguing. Not a technical explanation, I'm afraid, but I hope that helps a little!

[@FromTheRightAngle]

@@songtripping4165 Thanks for the explanation! It seems like a contradiction to say something can be played at a low volume but still sound loud.... so I will do a bit more reading to see if I can make it make sense to me :) Thanks again!

[@PhilSmithRHR]

@@FromTheRightAngle The objection to “loudness” is that all the sounds are pushed up, so there are fewer dynamic contrasts in the music. It is more noticeable in music that has both quiet and loud passages. To me the production sound of this album is typical of Brendan O’Brien: see also Mirrorball by Neil Young and Pearl Jam.

[@MrMjolnir69]

Glad other people noticed - seriously weird duff mix? Maybe time constraints... hard to imagine. Some appalling tunes too. Supermarket? Few others. Pete? Was that on this. Girls too very weak, back of the draw numbers saved for Contract fulfilment. Sheesh. Prince had several of these. The 3 cd set!? was hysterical. Just to get out of the obligations. Then renegotiate.

[@steveclark3032]

Those were from Working on a Dream, except Girls in Summer Clothes. Magic is wayyy better than Working on a Dream IMO!

[@songtripping4165]

I also prefer Magic, though I have not spent as much time with Working on a Dream.

[@baybae92]

I prefer Magic, but Working on a Dream gets a bad rap. Once you get over the oddness of Queen in the Suoermarket, it really is a beautiful song. One of my all time favorite Springsteen songs :)

[@steveclark3032]

@@baybae92 There are a lot of really good songs on that album that I love, which is weird, because somehow it doesn't really add up for me. Some of them feel like guilty pleasures, schmaltzy, but I listen over and over. And it's definitely not a generic album, it's full of risks, but somehow feels off. Magic is an unfair comparison, it's my favorite record ever.

[@andybertaut]

I love this album but it sounds so bad it's hard to listen to.

[@jellewoltjer8080]

❤ love it

[@CosminNeagu]

Devils & Dust's sound quality is the worst. Needs a remix and remaster in my opinion. It's not limited to the proper level and during Leah, which I think lacks compression and some EQ, oversaturates and almost clips. I have no idea how that slipped like that. I love that track but it's overbearing.

[@songtripping4165]

Thanks for the comment. I need to revisit Devils & Dust and give it a careful listen. I wonder if Springsteen would consider remixing his catalog. I'd sure be interested in that!

[@CosminNeagu]

@@songtripping4165 Stevie Van Zandt tried to get him to remix Darkness On The Edge Of Town. He didn't succeded. He made complex and very hard to mix tracks on vintage machines, with many variables. Those "magic" variables are non existent on the digital domain.

[@butters395]

as far as great songs on an album but shit sound quality....kiss hotter than hell needs to be remastered.... sounds too muddy... and aerosmith draw the line... sounds very flat.... everything sounds like it was all recorded on the same level....jack douglas dropped the ball on that one....🤔

[@johnrwalker53]

Bruce learned during the Obama years not to spew his whacky Liberalism when i saw him in Anaheim and he was heavily Booed.Love his music, but his lack of Logic amazes me.

[@SMHannon100]

Bruce has always shown empathy and humanity through his music and in his political support. I'm sure he understands that that goes right over the heads of some people in the crowd.

[@johnrwalker53]

@@SMHannon100 Bruce shows empathy for our President having Dementia and destroying our Country?That's called dumb cluelessness!!

[@SMHannon100]

@@johnrwalker53 Try to read some and get out more. There's no evidence Biden has dementia or Trump doesn't. You're parroting wacky right wing talking points and may not even realize it.