Rating: NNNN
The Magnetic Fields, who went over-the-top electric on their previous effort, Distortion, and have always liked synths, have switched gears on their ninth by incorporating only acoustic instruments into the mix. Banjo, flugelhorn, tuba, cajón, accordion and tablas all prop up Stephin Merritt’s distinctive bass and dry-humoured lyrics, which, fans will be glad to know, remain in top form.
[rssbreak]
Opener You Must Be Out Of Your Mind, with its clever rhymes and charming melody, could’ve been the 70th tune on their much-loved classic 69 Love Songs, while the resigned Seduced And Abandoned, about a pregnant bride left at the altar, is lo-fi baroque at its best. Long-time member/manager Claudia Gonson also makes memorable lead vocal appearances on the sparse Interlude and the forlorn Always, Already Gone.
The album’s a bit front-loaded it’s latter half, while still strong, doesn’t enthrall in quite the same way.
Top track: You Must Be Out Of Your Mind
The Magnetic Fields play the Queen Elizabeth Theatre February 8.
