Magnetic Fields - Distortion

 Will Mr. Merritt ever run out of ideas?
I'm starting to doubt it. He's written as many incredible pop songs as just about anybody and keeps cranking them out pretty consistently. There are a few songs here that miss the mark, but the rest I can listen to over and over. The "distorted" sound works very well too. My favs are "California Girls," "The Nun's Litany," "Old Fools," "Three Way" and "Please Stop Dancing." I wouldn't get this (or "i") without having gotten into the earlier stuff though. The "Holiday" album is where I would start. March 23, 2008

 Just okay
I really like most Magnetic Fields releases. My favorite is Holiday. To tell you the truth the distortion really does not add anything! Overall it is a mediocre record. March 11, 2008

 Tired
I have liked this band in the past, but I have grown tired of this album already (in a few listens)...There are a couple of good songs, but many sound similar and find that Merritt's voice get's on my nerves now (though I used to like it)... March 3, 2008

 you can do better
I love the Magnetic Fields but this tribute to the classic 'Psychocandy' by The Jesus and Mary Chain disappointed. I want to like this album but each time I hear it I want to turn it off and go listen to previous Fields or J&MC albums. These are not two great tastes that taste great together. If you want a calmer lyrics based Jesus and Mary Chain album buy 'Darklands' - If you want Merrit on good caffeine look for his other pen name 'Future Bible Heroes'. There are good songs on this album but there is nothing that comes close to either group's best work. March 1, 2008

 Another great MF album
Departing a bit from previous releases, Distortion is yet another example of the Magnetic Fields ability to produce meaningful music in an almost bubble gum poppish guise while avoiding the meaningless pop lyrics. As the title connotates, Distortion uses the effect of distortion on the instrumentations of the songs. Though far from heavy the effect adds a certain air of urgency to the music without deviating from the melodic aspects. Lyrically the album is consistant with previous releases, topics of love, rejection are commonplace. The songs have a unique presentation in that ther album starts with dual vocals ffrom Merrit and Simmsthen alternating tracks are sung by Merrit and Simms with Dual vocals on some in between. I love Shirley Simms voice personally, Nuns Litany is a great humorous song with a tinge of sadness to it at the end and the final track Courtesans is one of the best end of the album songs I've heard in a long time and showcases the more sultry (if not depresssing) of Simms vocals. Alot of people know the Magnetic Fields from 69 Love Songs, and Distortion follows the same timbre with a slightly differnt style. S with all the albums from MF I suggest this one. February 26, 2008

More reviews at Amazon.com ...