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Magnetic Fields Score Again

Stephen Merritt makes a glorious return to his indie pop roots

By Jonas Oransky, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 16, 2008 6:13 PM CST

(Newser) – The Magnetic Fields have hit the jackpot on their eighth album, Distortion. Frontman Stephen Merritt ignored his penchant for “cleverness and theatricality,” turned up the “1960s pop fetish,” and let the feedback roll. It’s a rebound from 2004’s i, says Pitchfork’s Matt LeMay, which was both flat and stagy. This time around, “a new level of messy” adds depth to Merritt’s talented songwriting.

It’s those fuzzy and chaotic elements that keep the Fields from “slipping into fey preciousness.” The Onion’s Jason Heller adds another angle on Distortion’s distortion: Unlike post-punkers Jesus and Mary Chain—Merritt’s avowed inspirations on this record—the noise element is reserved rather than violent, lending him the gift of flexibility.

[Images (3)]

[Videos (1)]

The Magnetic Fields appear in concert in 2004. (Wikimedia Commons; Dreamyshade)

"Distortion" is the latest from Frontman Stephin Merritt and The Magnetic Fields. (© Nonesuch Records )

Musician Stephin Merritt of The Magnetic Fields attends the opening night for 'Shockheaded Peter' at the Little Shubert Theatre February 22, 2005 in New York City. (Photo by Paul Hawthorne/Getty Images) (Getty Images)

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Magnetic Fields Score Again