The Magnetic Fields

The Magnetic Fields are an American four piece band, led by singer/songwriter Stephen Merritt. The music style is flexible, with unpredictable and ever-changing genres, making it difficult to pigeon-hole or easy to categories, depending on which way you look at it! Indie-pop, Synthpop, folk-pop and noise-pop are all the titles offered so far. What you can expect from this band is an experimental and disconnected array of music that eventually connects through its recognisably ironic lyrics and significant vocalist; Stephen Merritt, made familiar through his distinctive and untrained bass-baritone voice.

Lead singer Stephen Merritt, carries a vast song-writing portfolio, having written pieces for Television shows, Advertisements, Theatrical productions, Film, solo projects and of course The Magnetic Fields. The band formed in 1991, after a couple of title changes they eventually stuck with their given name and went on to perform at small venues with scarce crowds. This all changed in 1999 thanks to the release of 69 Love Songs, their best known work to date. Lead vocals are either sung by Merritt or band member Claudia Gonson, (percussion/piano/vocals and group manager) as well as guest vocalists; Shirley Simms, Dudley Klute and L.D Beghto. A three-volume concept album that does what it says on the cover; 69 love songs all written by Merritt. Who denies however that this album is about love:


“69 Love Songs is not remotely an album about love. It’s an album about love songs, which are very far away from anything to do with love”- Stephen Merritt.

Stephen Merritt is open about his homosexuality, which is notable in his lyrics that are picked up for their crossing of the gender lines. Such as the song “When my boy walks down the street” (Disc two, track 3) where he sings adoringly about a beautiful boy and says “he’s going to be my wife”. As well as an array of interesting and amusing lyrics, the album also showcases the group’s talented musicianship, which reaches far beyond the bands usual setting of guitars, synthesizers and effects. Instead you will hear in addition a varied selection of instruments, such as the banjo, flute, mandolin, xylophone, marxophone, accordion and ukulele.
Call it a come back! Although this album was released over a decade ago, it has recently adopted a brand new cult following, book series “33 1/3” can be held partly responsible for this new wave. A series released in 2006 on the subject of influential pop/rock albums. Reminding and enlightening the public of this whimsical band. With a global growth of Indie Pop and experimental symphonized arrangements, this album is likely to continue to raise the interest of the musically interested.