What is it?
Stephin Merritt's Magnetic Fields justify their reputation as a quality pop combo with 2004's 'i' album, where interestingly all the tracks begin with the letter 'i'.
Why should you listen?
After being seriously under-whelmed by the 3 discs of '69 Love Songs' and disappointed by their homage to the Jesus and Mary Chain; 'Distortion', I was not hopeful for this particular outing of Boston, Massachusetts' finest. My perseverance was rewarded however, as the LP sandwiched between the aforementioned is altogether more my saucer of rat poison. It's hard to describe the genre but it's possibly best described as orchestral chamber pop, although folk pop and indie pop may be equally appropriate. It's Merritt's lyrics that turn this collection into something special, with his ironic and oblique descriptions of love, all gliding along on an effortless soundtrack that refuses to leave your head. The synth-pop numbers are particularly welcome such as 'I thought you were my boyfriend' and these contrast perfectly against the acoustic cello driven tracks like 'I looked all over town'. At times bizarre and annoying, but at other times a work of genius.
What's it like?
It's like a philosophy in music form.
What's the best song?
'I Don't Really Love You Anymore' is the saddest song you'll ever hear.
Who does it sound like?
The Divine Comedy, Parenthetical Girls, Momus
'Too Far Down' by Husker Du is pretty sad/depressing. Is 'I Don't Really Love You Anymore' sadder?
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