Unlike the spacey synth and technologic beats a name like “The Magnetic Fields” might imply, the band’s whimsical style instead whisks listeners to an antique toy-maker’s shop with colorful gadgets whirring in the background. Superimposed guitar lines create the enchanting and folksy ambience that defines The Magnetic Fields’ style. The group’s ninth full-length album, Realism, once again spells the coming of musical brainchild Stephin Merritt. This time, however, Merritt comes with a mission: To create an acoustic companion to 2008’s Distortion.
The Magnetic Fields return with lyrics that will keep listeners engaged throughout the course of the album. In the song “You Must Be Out of Your Mind,” the lyrics “You’ll think I’ll run, not walk to you/ Why would I want to talk to you/ I want you/ Crawling back to me/ Down on your knees” deliver the honest sense of “realism” for which the CD is aptly named.
Yet realism doesn’t necessarily have to be ordinary. “You Must Be Out of Your Mind” describes emotion “Like an appendectomy/Sans anesthesia,” The Magnetic Fields never fail to weave such bizarre lyrics into their repertoire, and listeners can’t help but find amusement in the band’s audacity.
The group employs vocal punctuation, creative repetition and vocal effects to stop and begin phrases. In “You Must Be Out of Your Mind,” the word “son” punctuates the end of the phrase from which the title draws its name and provides thoughtful and melancholic closure to the line.
Repetition strengthens the chorus of “Seduced and Abandoned.” In the line “And baby makes two/ Baby abandoned by you,” the word ‘baby’ provides a bridge between the two lyrics to carry the listener through the phrase. The extended “z” sound closes multiple lines from the track “We Are Having a Hootenany,” as exemplified in the lyric “Come take our personality quiz.” The use of this vocal technique, along with greater use of folk influences dominated by a soulful fiddle, transports the listener to a 19th century hipster barn party.
The CD has cohesive flow, with each song featuring a distinctive character. “Dolls’ Tea Party” begins with a melody seemingly played on a child’s piano while strings pluck in the background. By contrast, “The Dada Polka” is reminiscent of the ’50s musical style. At times the music varies so drastically, listeners may conclude, “I don’t know what to say,” just like the fourth track of the same name. While the sugarcoated song “Interlude” may prove too sweet for some, as it stops just short of sprinkling pixie dust, the group succeeds in creating a two-line melody in “Walk a Lonely Road.” The barely tones of the male lead overlain with the female harmony has brought success to other notable groups like Belle & Sebastian, Architecture in Helsinki and Mates of State.
The Magnetic Fields align a myriad of influences ranging from folk to Renaissance harp techniques showcased in “Seduced and Abandoned” to create a listening experience enriched and appreciated with each listen. While the group’s distinctive — and albeit acquired — style may polarize listeners into supporters and critics, those willing to challenge their musical taste may just be “attracted” to the Magnetic Fields’ intriguing peculiarity.
3 and 1/2 stars out of 5.
