Artist Spotlight: The Magnetic Fields

The brainchild of singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Stephin Merritt, the Magnetic Fields scored one late-‘90s classic—the 3-CD magnum opus, 69 Love Songs (1999)—plus plenty of other worthy listens. I had heard of them a few years earlier, having picked up The Charm of the Highway Strip (1994), a sort of techno-cowboy ode to the open road.

Merritt’s songwriting is so apt and clever, each song comes baited with at least a few lines that hook you to sink in and tickle your funny bone. He has a way with words. And whether his songs sound like techno or showtunes or country music, the excellence of Merritt’s best work makes questions of genre tastes moot. It seems he can do almost anything he wants in song and come up with at least a few great tracks.

Here’s a healthy sampling.

Playlist 1

The best place to begin one’s Magnetic Fields listening experience would have to be their best album, 69 Love Songs (1999). The ensemble cast, varied instrumentation, and exploration of a range of styles expanded their sound, with vocals by Merritt, Claudia Gonson, and a host of guest vocalists.

Here’s a CD-length abbreviated version—33 Love Songs, if you will. Everyone familiar with the full set will find at least one glaring omission (“Papa Was a Rodeo,” perhaps, among others).

Playlist 2

The Magnetic Fields started off a sparse affair, Merritt on synths with vocalist Susan Anway, for their debut Distant Plastic Trees (1991); they added percussion, cello, and tuba for their next release, The Wayward Bus (1992).

Here’s a brief sampling of Merritt’s work with Anway on lead.

Playlist 3

With Anway having left, Merritt took over as vocalist. The years leading up to 69 Love Songs found Merritt’s synths dominating their sound, although percussionist Claudia Gonson, cellist Sam Davol, and guitarist John Woo were all in the fold at this point.

Here’s an LP-length sampling from the period, starting with the strongest album of that time, The Charm of the Highway Strip (1994).

Cover Art:

• 69 Love Songs (front cover and inner sleeve): Source, Discogs.com, Fair use.