Magnetic Fields

It's been five years since Magnetic Fields's last effort, and I will surely satisfy fans eager for another glimpse into Stephin Merritt's fantastical world. Merritt uses sparse instrumentation as a backdrop for droll, acerbic lyrics, which he delivers with deep, wavering vocals -- with stunning results.

Last time out, the Magnetic Fields released the Magnificent 69 Love Songs, which found
resident genius Stephin Merritt (and a cast of little-known vocalists) delivering sixty-nine
witty, catchy ditties that referenced Ferdinand de Saussure and compared love to a bottle
of gin. With I, the Magnetic Fields' seventh album, Merritt narrows his focus, handling all the
vocals himself and cutting down on his famously insincere role-playing. The app... More >

The concept is, not only do all these deadpan titles start with an i, they're performed (in alphabetical order!) by the deadpan I in question. When the songs are not just clever but lively--most spectacularly on the unrelenting "I Thought You Were My Boyfriend"--Stephin Merritt's demo-ready monotone could pass for a singing voice. When they're not--often not lively, and once or twice, heaven forfend, not clever--he sounds as if he's waiting to be swept off his feet by Sophie Von Otter. At which point we who were rooting for more "I Thought You Were My Boyfriend" sneak out the back door. (Grade - B+)