I can clearly remember 1987 when the Boss released “Tunnel of Love”, later known as the sad demise of his marriage. It was a reflective and not very typical album for him, a work of art containing some of the most elegant love songs ever committed to tape. Just one year before that Springsteen was officially recognized as an arena rock phenomenon for his camaraderie with the E-Street Band and for playing mere four-hour live sets. He was, to put it straight, enormously successful after his seventh studio album “Born in the USA” spawned a multitude of hit singles. But for all the album’s overall quality, the uplifting title track’s tale of a shattered Viatnam veteran is one that most people can sing along and remember to the present day. Despite the grim subject matter, the aforementioned anthem made him arguably the biggest musical star of 1984. Enough history lessons for now, as such lengthily and fertile career could easily turn from a review to an unauthorized biography and this is the least we want. “Magic” is not only the first album the Boss has recorded with the E-Street Band since 2002, but also a huge and simply unbeatable contender for this year’s rock and general awards. 12 songs, 12 different emotions, all tied together in a collection you can listen, dance, cry to… whatever. It sounds timeless. From the very first chords of “Radio Nowhere” (C’mon dude, jump in this big car of yours and scatter the dust on your way south) through the beautiful piano opening of “I’ll Work for Your Love” till the very end of the slow and touching Americana of “Terry’s Song”, “Magic” is magic. Sheer bliss, ladies and gentlemen. Now open me a beer, yer gaddamit!