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Stephin Merritt completes his “no synth” trilogy
Providing the counterpart to 2008’s noise-pop experiment Distortion, The Magnetic Fields’ latest, Realism, is the band’s first attempt at folk music. Setting aside all instruments requiring an electric cord, Stephin Merritt and his bandmates trade the former album’s fixation on feedback and fuzz for a focus on crisp textures and neatly arranged acoustic instruments such as banjo, tuba, cello and accordion.
Merritt, a master of melodic nuance and austere wit, favors the mixing pot explored by ’60s and ’70s British folk-revivalists, with that era’s emphasis on eclecticism and exploration informing his drift through gorgeously dainty chamber pop (“Seduced and Abandoned”), toy-piano lullabies (“The Doll’s Tea Party”) and boisterous singalongs (“We Are Having a Hootennany”). It’s less “old, weird America” and more “new, weird Merritt.” Bringing a suitable conclusion to his “no synth” trilogy, this, the Magnetic Fields’ eighth album, provides yet another example of why Merritt belongs on the shortlist of America’s greatest songsmiths.
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I don't know if you can really say this is Merritt's first foray into folk music. Wouldn't most of his career be considered such?
this, the Magnetic Fields’ eighth album, provides yet another example of why Merritt belongs on the shortlist of America’s greatest songsmiths.
Sounds awesome! And yet Stephin Merritt didn't rate on Paste's list of the Top 100 living songwriters just a few years ago.
Ha! Way to go, Michael, pointing out Paste's hypocrisy. Like most music review sites, their lists are based on politics, hipster bullshit, and fear of what other music reviewers will think of them if they include/exclude certain artists.
I thought Merritt was considered "cool" though, but what do I know. I only know that he's a great songwriter (and one of the few I like *despite* being considered "okay to like" by the critics.)
WearsTheTrousers didn't put Kathryn Williams on their Top 100 or whatever it was list of the best of the decade. This, despite *claiming* to love her (in defensive replies to user comments, even), rating her albums highly, covering her often with exclusive interviews, news, etc. I suppose there's just not enough "buzz" around Kathryn to justify including her on their lists, so they sick with safe choices like good ol' Joanna Newsom and other overrated crap you see everywhere else.
So it happens everywhere, not just at Paste. But it would be nice if Paste (or someone) had more guts than the rest of the cowardly conformists.