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The Magnetic Fields


Not Forgotten: The Magnetic Fields – Realism

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Album Review: The Magnetic Fields – 50 Song Memoir

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Feature: double albums that are actually worth the time.

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The level of self-imposed pressure that Stephin Merritt must have put on himself following the release of The Magnetic Fields’ four hour masterpiece, 1999’s 69 Love Songs, must have been immense. He smartly sidestepped the issue with the next album, 2004’s i, with its beautifully simple concept and alphabetical sequencing, however, where to go after that? I …

How the hell do you even review an album like 50 Song Memoir? At 5 CDs, it’s a huge undertaking just to listen to the whole thing. Or at least it seems that way until you realise that the whole thing could have sat snugly on two CDs, then it just seems like it’s a …

For some artists the single disc statement is not enough. It should be though, as the multiple disc release is a difficult beast to master and many of the most famous double albums are at least half a side too long (The Beatles, Blonde on Blonde, Songs in the Key of Life, Physical Graffiti, etc). …

Following up arguably the greatest triple album in the history of popular song must have taken it’s toll on Stephin Merritt, but with 2004’s i being as conceptually smart-arse as it’s predecessor, if somewhat less of an epic investment in time, it was becoming obvious that Merritt was getting fond of themes in general. So …