Virgin Territory

While most people 40 and under have turned exclusively to music downloads I still can't get enough of those square plastic dust collectors. So I headed over to the Virgin Mega Store in Union Square last night after a low-key dinner with Michael (we're both recovering from being ill). I'd heard so many good things about Bruce Springsteen's new album, "Magic," that I had to have it. Turns out it doesn't come out until today, but a Starbucks we stopped at afterward had it out already and although they weren't allowed to sell it to me, they were allowed to charge me for another one of their collections and let me take "Magic" home (HUH? Sorry, no royalties for that one, Bruce!). I'm no Bruce expert. In fact, I'm obsessed with "Nebraska" and "Tunnel of Love" ("Tougher Than the Rest" rules) but have never even heard any of his other albums (well, not counting "Born in the U.S.A." 'cause virtually every song was released as a single). But every so often I get the urge for Bruce and it cannot be denied. I've only played "Magic" a couple times and I'm already really enjoying it. I was sort of startled that the opening track, "Radio Nowhere," doesn't even credit Tommy Tutone's "867-5309/Jenny" for a sample -- it's the exact same guitar riff -- but the rest of the album is all Bruce and casts a dark spell with an upbeat feel to it. "Girls in Their Summer Clothes," "You'll Be Comin' Down," "Long Walk Home" and "Livin in the Future" are my favorites so far.

I also picked up the Bat for Lashes album, "Fur & Gold," that includes the video I posted last week. I'm intrigued by the variety of the songs (none of the other tracks sound hardly anything like "What's a Girl to Do?"). Shades of Kate Bush?

I was listening to Lloyd Cole's charming collection of lost tracks and rarities from 2004, "Etc.," this afternoon and my disc started to skip, so I replaced it with a fresh copy.

And last but not least (don't laugh) I finally picked up "The Best of Corey Hart." A friend (Jen) at Kandy's wedding mentioned her girlhood crush on the pouty-lipped Canadian pretty boy and it really took me back. (I was smitten with him too.) I was devastated a year or two ago when VH1's promotional materials said Corey was going to be on "The Surreal Life" but it turned out to be the motocrosser Carey Hart. Although I could only think of "Sunglasses at Night" and "Never Surrender" by name, it's easy to forget that he actually had 10 great chart hits back in the day (While Bryan Adams may have had a bigger and longer career, Corey will never have pox marks). "I Am By Your Side," It Ain't Enough," "A Little Love" and his cover of "Can't Help Falling in Love" are instant iPod classics around my house -- and I certainly don't regret not just downloading this one: just look at that cover photo :-)

Read all Music Box posts HERE.