Todd is God

It's tempting to say that Bruce should have worked a bit harder on that dream, as his new album whilst perfectly fine, lacks - dare I say it - a certain 'magic'. The problem with the album is unfortunately highlighted by the decision to include a couple of bonus tracks - one of which 'The Wrestler' ( from the film of the same name) is so street ahead quality-wise of anything else on the album it is worrying. Now, I should clarify, that I think this song ranks up there with Springsteen's best, so I am not dismissing out of hand the quality of the rest of the record, some of which I like a great deal: "What Love can do", My Lucky Day”, “Working On a Dream”, and "Life Itself", for example; but it is hard to come away from this record not feeling slightly disappointed. I need to give a quick mention to the first track - Outlaw Pete. Now, it is perfectly ok, but every time it starts I have a blend of the Rolling Stone's - 'Paint it Black...

Had always liked the idea of seeing Bruce and co live, but had never manged it until tonight (last night). As is the way of the world to see the band required a stadium gig, with this one being at the home of Arsenal football club. I'm not a big fan of stadium gigs, and this didn't change my mind. However, this is not to say it wasn't bloody good. These guys know what they are doing and Bruce knows how to play these size of venues. The sound was a bit hit and miss - or at least the mixing was, with if often hard to make out guitar solos from background and other band noise. But this sounds like I am moaning. They played a great set, kicking off with Tenth Ave Freeze-Out and Radio Nowhere, with some classics, old and new along the way before Dancing in the Dark, and American Land tied things up two hours and fifty minutes later. Bruce sem to be enjoying himself, and Little Steven always looks like he is having a ball. Lots of jumping about, audience touching, and a happy sm...

I've been a bit slow getting around to Bruce, but after a week of the new album 'Magic' on almost constant repeat on my iPod (brief interludes of the also excellent new Steve Earle CD) I can now say, that this really is a fine record. It is without a doubt his most commercial/mainstream offering since the often overlooked Tunnel of Love album, and continues on with the joyous feel of last year's also rather excellent Seeger Sessions album. Kicking off with the excellent 'Radio Nowhere', this is an album that is a lot of fun. The most interesting thing for me over the week has been how my favourite tracks on the album have actually changed, and how songs that I didn't really rate as much at the start - such as 'Gypsy Biker' (a hint of U2 in this one) and 'Devil's Arcade' - have started to come into there own. Also the title track has grown in stature to become one of the best cuts on the record. Elsewhere, the production is quite interesti...