Jan
1
2008
Magnetic Fields – Distortion
Posted by mikespiegs Leave a Comment
Artist: Magnetic Fields
Album: Distortion
Release Date: January 15, 2008
Website: houseoftomorrow.com
Record Label: Nonesuch
Editor Rating: 9.0
Users Rating: 7.3 
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Distortion sees the return of Stephen Merritt to the Magnetic Fields form. The title of the record in relation to the sound becomes painfully clear on the first track “Three Way” which is a Surf Rock song that serves as an introduction to things to come. “California Girls” is the first formal track here. Merritt passes off vocal duties on this track and while you can almost hear Merritt’s voice singing this one the female vocals do it justice. This song keeps in line with a surf pop theme. It’s a classic verse-chorus-verse early Beach Boys throw back drenched in distortion and reverb very reminiscent of old school Magnetic Fields ala “Holiday”. “Old Fools” brings us back to the more recent Magnetic Fields style that we’ve since 69 Love Songs except again we are greeted with a wall of noise that Phil Spector would be jealous of. It makes one wonder if Old Fools is a self depiction as Stephen Merritt’s lyrics tend to show a very harsh and self defeating view of himself. In any event, there is still a dark cloud hovering very close in relation to Mr. Merritt not that one would anticipate otherwise. There is a quote out there…from Bob Mould. Bob Mould was cited as being “the most depressed man in rock”. His response? “He’s never met Stephen Merritt, obiously.”
While the distortion remains constant, the vocal duties shift frequently throughout this album. It’s pretty much one-for-one Male-Female. In fact, Stephen Merritt hasn’t sung this little on a Magnetic Fields album since the very early Magnetic Fields days (i.e. Distant Plastic Trees). “Please Stop Dancing” is a duo placed smack in the middle of the record which seems appropriate if you’re looking at this album as a mathematical equation (Instrumental/Female/Male/Female/Male/Duo/Female/Male/Female/Male/Female), just another one of the many clever things on this album.
Keeping in line with the ethos that comes with distortion “Too Drunk to Dream” is a punk rock anthem. If there were to be a punk rock musical, a stage show, this would be the apex. There would be young boys with Mohawks leaping across the stage in leotards while Stephen Merritt comes down a white staircase ala Johnny Rotten’s cover of “My Way” singing “It’s you, you heartless bastard you’re my one and only.” Needless to say, this song is fucking awesome.
The tone mellows slightly on the next few tracks. The male songs tend to be more theatric in delivery not unlike some of the less than stellar moments on “I”, the previous Magnetic Fields effort. Although where “I” was chockfull of what one might consider indie rock showtunes, “Distortions” is just a sprinkle or brief taste in your mouth reminding you that were plenty of albums in between “Get Lost” and now. “Courtesans” ends this tour elegantly and epically with a melancholy track about whores. Well, not just whores, but that sounds shocking, doesn’t it?
For the average Magnetic Fields’ fan it will take some adjustment to thoroughly enjoy this album. On first listen, it’s just a noise record and it’s hard to see all the intricacies involved. Not to mention that most Magnetic Fields fans’ are, well, umm… wimps. Merritt may in fact out punk them with aforementioned “Too Drunk to Dream”. The beauty of this album, and the most recent in the Magnetic Fields catalog, is that “Distortion” is taking you on a trip. A guided audio tour across genres and various themes all neatly packaged together and tied with a bow bearing a skull with a smiley face.
Tracklist:
1. Three-Way
2. California Girls
3. Old Fools
4. Xavier Says
5. Mr. Mistletoe
6. Please Stop Dancing
7. Drive On, Driver
8. Too Drunk To Dream
9. Till the Bitter End
10. I’ll Dream Alone
11. The Nun’s Litany
12. Zombie Boy
13. Courtesans
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