New Magnetic Fields - "Three-Way" (Stereogum Premiere)

Last we heard from Stephin Merritt, he was talking ABBA and speed writing for NPR, resulting in the gothy, somber, and pop-rific "The Man Of A Million Faces." Upping the pace some, "Three-Way," the opener from the Magnetic Fields's forthcoming Distortion, takes the album's tag seriously, wrapping the track in a chiming, feedbacking haze, punctuated by pretty piano, some surfy guitar, and group shouts of the song's title. Less 69 Love Songs, it's more ... the Garage-y Archies?

The Magnetic Fields - "Three-Way" (MP3)

Just what kind of three-way are we talking? Whatever the case, it has us incredibly intrigued -- can't wait for the rest of the album, Stephin.

Distortion is out 1/15 on Nonesuch, with a U.S. tour to follow. Check the dates:

2/11/08 Northampton, MA - Iron Horse Music Hall
2/12/08 Northampton, MA - Iron Horse Music Hall
2/14/08 Somerville, MA - Somerville Theatre
2/15/08 Somerville, MA - Somerville Theatre
2/21/08 New York, NY - Town Hall
2/22/08 New York, NY - Town Hall
2/23/08 New York, NY - Town Hall
2/28/08 San Francisco, CA - Herbst Theatre
2/29/08 San Francisco, CA - Herbst Theatre
3/02/08 Los Angeles, CA - Music Box @ Fonda
3/03/08 Los Angeles, CA - Music Box @ Fonda
3/06/08 Seattle, WA - Town Hall
3/07/08 Seattle, WA - Town Hall
3/14/08 Chicago, IL - Old Town School Of Folk Music
3/15/08 Chicago, IL - Old Town School Of Folk Music
3/16/08 Chicago, IL - Old Town School Of Folk Music

Posted at 9:38 AM in MP3, Tour Dates
Tags: The Magnetic Fields

8 Comments

I adore this. No surprise there.

Posted by: Dana at 11/16/07 10:41 AM | Reply
Score = 1

yum.

Posted by: chase at 11/16/07 11:11 AM | Reply
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Great tune! Can't wait to see them live!

Posted by: anon at 11/16/07 3:55 PM | Reply
Score = 1

Finally! I can't wait for the Town Hall shows

Posted by: Jack at 11/16/07 6:22 PM | Reply
Score = 0

Absolutely awesome. Definitely reminds me of "The Wayward Bus" and "When My Boy Walks Down the Street" great to hear Stephin getting back in touch with his inner Spector. Leave it to Stephin to whet our appetites like this, with what is basically an instrumental intro. My doubts and apprehensions have vanished -- my fingers are crossed for the full-length.

Posted by: Mac at 11/18/07 5:03 AM | Reply
Score = 0

is this the Breeders?

Posted by: lowly at 11/26/07 1:14 PM | Reply
Score = 0

The entire album lives up to the title, Distortion.

Posted by: keylime at 11/26/07 5:19 PM | Reply
Score = 0

funny that the live show didn't live up to the album title.. :\

Posted by: Jeff at 04/17/08 4:05 PM | Reply
Score = 0