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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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The Boss Works Old, New 'Magic'

New album mixes pop and politics - and gets rave reviews

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(Newser) – In an era of has-been acts making a mockery of themselves, Bruce Springsteen rolls out his fourth album in five years—a poppy album with steely political undertones that proves he's as relevant as ever. Magic drops sugar-coated bombs on the Bushies, the New York Times' A.O. Scott writes, and the Boss is taking his E-Street Band polemic on world tour.

The next chapter in The Rising's post-9/11 reflection, Magic asks, “Who’ll be the last to die for a mistake?” "In the past I wanted to make sure that my music was tough enough for the stories I was going to tell," said Springsteen. Now, he's chosen pop to tell one of his toughest stories yet.

Bruce Springsteen and wife Patti Scialfa play guitars together as Springsteen performs with the E Street Band at Asbury Park's Paramount Theater Monday, Sept. 24, 2007 in Asbury Park, N.J. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)
Bruce Springsteen and wife Patti Scialfa play guitars together as Springsteen performs with the E Street Band at Asbury Park's Paramount Theater Monday, Sept. 24, 2007 in Asbury Park, N.J. (AP Photo/Mel...   (Associated Press)
Bruce Springsteen performs with his band on the NBC
Bruce Springsteen performs with his band on the NBC "Today" television program in New York's Rockefeller Center, Friday Sept. 28, 2007. At left is Steven Van Zandt. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)   (Associated Press)
Bruce Springsteen performs with the E Street Band at Asbury Park's Paramount Theater Monday, Sept. 24, 2007 in Asbury Park, N.J. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)
Bruce Springsteen performs with the E Street Band at Asbury Park's Paramount Theater Monday, Sept. 24, 2007 in Asbury Park, N.J. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)   (Associated Press)
Singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen is seen in this 2007 photo provided by Shore Fire Media . Springsteen, back with the E Street Band, is releasing a new album Oct. 2,2007, titled
Singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen is seen in this 2007 photo provided by Shore Fire Media . Springsteen, back with the E Street Band, is releasing a new album Oct. 2,2007, titled "Magic." (AP Photo/Shore...   (Associated Press)
Musician Bruce Springsteen performs during an all-star tribute to his music in New York's Carnegie Hall, Thursday, April 5, 2007. Funds raised from the concert will be used to support music education programs. (AP Photo/Jeff Christensen)
Musician Bruce Springsteen performs during an all-star tribute to his music in New York's Carnegie Hall, Thursday, April 5, 2007. Funds raised from the concert will be used to support music education...   (Associated Press)
Bruce Springsteen appears with his band on the NBC
Bruce Springsteen appears with his band on the NBC "Today" television program in New York's Rockefeller Center, Friday Sept. 28, 2007. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)   (Associated Press)
Bruce Springsteen performs with his band on the NBC
Bruce Springsteen performs with his band on the NBC "Today" television program in New York's Rockefeller Center, Friday Sept. 28, 2007.(AP Photo/Richard Drew)   (Associated Press)
Bruce Springsteen performs with the E Street Band at in a benefit rehearsal at Asbury Park's Paramount Theater Monday, Sept. 24, 2007 in Asbury Park, N.J. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)
Bruce Springsteen performs with the E Street Band at in a benefit rehearsal at Asbury Park's Paramount Theater Monday, Sept. 24, 2007 in Asbury Park, N.J. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)   (Associated Press)
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