speed of dark

The Magnetic Fields: Davol, Merritt, Woo, and Gonson


On the Magnetic Fields' new album Distortion, Stephin Merritt and Claudia Gonson alternate vocals from song to song between his low and her high registers, Merrit with the despondence of a 45 record slowed to 33 1/3 rpm. I'm still getting a feel for it, but a few tracks stand out right away. Merritt's signature combination of depression and dark humor remains intact amid the fuzzy buzz the album title advertises.

"California Girls" gaily throws sour grapes at golden beach bunnies ("Laughing through their perfect teeth at everyone I know/Do they think we won't get up and go?.../I have planned my grand attacks/I will stand behind their backs/With my brand-new battle ax....They will hear me say as the pavement whirls/I hate California girls".

"Please Stop Dancing" begs for mental peace and quiet. "Too Drunk To Dream" recites a laundry list of the advantages of drowning your disappointment in love in a bath of alcohol ("Sober, you're old and ugly/Shit-faced, Who needs a mirror?"). "I'll Dream Alone" paints a morose post-breakup future ("I'll keep your things/If you ever need them,/The phone still rings"). "The Bitter End" is gorgeously gothic.

But the one that made me create a brand new Best of 2008 folder (it's never too early) was "Drive On, Driver," which juxtaposes a pretty, shimmery melody against the resigned tone of love gone, as expected, completely down the tubes.
("Drive on, driver/There's no one home/We waited hours/She didn't come...And take me to the airport/I need to be extremely far away.")

The Magnetic Fields: Drive On, Driver from Distortion (2008) - removed upon request
The Magnetic Fields: Yeah! Oh, Yeah! from 69 Love Songs, Vol 3 (1999)
The Magnetic Fields: Famous from Get Lost (1995)
-- My selection for this week's Contrast Podcast theme: My Brush With Fame.

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Show Schedule:
The Magnetic Fields are touring this spring on the East and West coasts. Check MySpace for cities and venues.