Premature Evaluation: The Magnetic Fields - Distortion
The Magnetic Fields can't be accused of false advertising in titling studio album eight Distortion: Each tune's wrapped in a fuzzy, clamoring shell, even when the feedbacking acoustic piano and guitar hum's relegated to deep in the background. Distortion's consistent textural palette's reminiscent of Holiday's "Desert Island," but this is all about icy New York City, or some other place where it snows. Besides distortion, the songs are coated in the lonesome darkness of The Charm Of The Highway Strip. Sigh. On the whole, it sports more sonic depth than 2004's sorta minor, stringier i. Let's consider it a baker's dozen of sad-and-out-of-love songs.
Let's also consider it incredibly beautiful. We road tested "Old Fools" today and it's the perfect winter walking song. Across the board, Distortion's a cold-time album -- not just in the season, but also the winter of someone's life. In "Too Drunk To Dream," Merritt laments (to an upbeat garage swing): "Sober life is a prison / Shit faced it is a blessing. / Sober nobody wants you / Shit faced they're all undressing ... / Sober you're old and ugly / Shit faced who needs a mirror." People fall asleep with nobody to talk to but themselves, images of ex-lovers dancing like sugarplums in their head ... it's blustery and chapping in a number of ways: Songs focus on aging ("Old Fools"), regret ("The Nun's Litany"), loss/resignation (the Broadway bound "I'll Dream Alone") and plenty of frozen climes ("Mr. Mistletoe"). Santa Claus and his elves even making an appearance ("Courtesans").
It's not just that the lyrics include ice, the songs themselves feel frigid: "Mr. Mistletoe" is a slow, piano-lined, distantly-squealing one-man stroll down snowy 7th Avenue ("mistletoe is everywhere, but you no longer care"). The protagonist, vocalized in best hangdog fashion by Merritt, won't be celebrating Christmas this year, and sees mistletoe as a "useless weed." Across Distortion Merritt almost trades vocal duties with Claudia Gonson every other song, though they duet on the super, Jesus & Mary Chained clanging "Please Stop Dancing." Gonson looks at a different sort of snowfall with the song "California Girls," which is basically "I hate California girls." Of course, it's too warm out there. Again this is a New York sounding album -- the Village in an endless night; walking in the snow instead of the sand. The Shangri-Las reference is intentional: Listen to the drum echo in "I'll Dream Alone" or "Drive On, Driver." There's the specter of Phil in some of these tunes (the latter, prime Charm material also includes a rippin' VU guitar scowl, as does "Zombie Boy").
Distortion isn't as explicitly thematic as i or 69 Love Songs, but from the "Three-Way" intro, through the end-of-the-night "Courtesans," it's clear there's some narrative going on. ("A Man Of A Million Faces" would've made good sense on it, if they upped the levels some.) It's hard to tell if the connection is that infectious, screeching wall of sound or something more. Whatever the case, it's a great record, the ambiance totally gorgeous. It's like this is Merritt's Darklands, in more ways than Stephin's normal post-ABBA melancholia.
The Magnetic Fields - "Three-Way" (MP3)
Distortion is out 1/18 on Nonesuch.
Posted at 7:21 PM in MP3, Premature Evaluation
Tags: The Magnetic Fields
you forgot to mention the House Of Tomorrow EP. It's straight from that sound/style.
Score = 0
That EP first came out in 1992. I think I've changed a lot since then.
Score = 0
the douche himself speaks.
Score = 0
according to this, shirley simms sings half the album, not claudia.
http://www.uncut.co.uk/blog/index.php?blog=6&title=magnetic_fields_distortion&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1
Score = 0
uhh did this leak?
Score = 0
I second Matt - did Stereogum get some advance copy all to themselves? Where is this thing?!.. cause I can't find it.
Score = 0
It's released mid-January.
Reviewers get advance copies. That's the point.
I be nihpets is Sasha_Frere_Jaques. King and Queen of the wiggadouchebags.
Score = 0
funny that you keep calling it a very NYC album, since SM lives in LA 90% of the time now.
Score = 0
I really don't like the cover to this.
Score = 0
heard "california girls" on the radio today. so excited for the rest of the album, preordered it and all. and i agree, judging by what i've heard, Distortion will be quite different from House of Tomorrow. not in a bad way of course.
Score = 0
and i really like the cover. although different font perhaps. or maybe thats just because i'm a font dork.
Score = 0
oh god that song he did for NPR is so damn good. yeah I wish I could find an advance copy of this somewhere, I think I'd murder someone for it. I already ordered tickets for his February tour :)
Score = 0
And now I realize that I will actually be in NYC on February 22...can you say STUBHUB !
Isn't it time for another track or two to start to leak out ?
It's f***ing cold in Detroit
Score = 0
the cover is so awful i really can't believe it
Score = 0
I worked really hard on Old Fools and I'll Dream Alone guys.
Score = 0
come on guys i worked really hard on distortion whahhahhahahah!!
Score = 0
GOD DAMN IT I LOVE THOSE RAGS FROM BALL-TRON !!!
Score = 0
wow stephin thanks for postin! mom thinks the new albums great and says keep up the good work!
Score = 0
Unbelievable, unbelievable album. Each song is great and can be listened to from beginning to end. Another in a series of absolutely, unceasingly perfect releases. Ah.
Score = 0
wow you guys have apparently never heard of bittorrent if you cant find an advance copy...
Score = 0
I love the Magnetic Fields, and I love this album, but that is possibly the worst cover art I've ever seen.
Score = 0
Great album, and what's the beef with the album art? Nice corporate logo plus memorable image - what do you want, fluffy kittens?
I would welcome an acoustic version of these tracks, thus of course negating the point of the distortion, but for me some of that does get in the way. Stephin, is this how you hear things if its too loud on stage?
I'm in the UK and have just got this, but I'm coming to NY at Easter, any chance of catching the Fields or will they be out of town?
Ant
Score = 0