The Magnetic Fields is a New York-based group fronted by Stephin Merritt. Recent albums released under the name "The Magnetic Fields" usually consist of synth-pop music in a 1980s style underlying clever lyrics which are often heavily ironic. While synth-pop often forms the foundation of their music, The Magnetic Fields' music borrows from many other styles, notably country, folk and indie pop.
The band was originally formed in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1990 by friends Merritt and (percussionist/pianist/vocalist) Claudia Gonson. While 1991's Distant Plastic Trees and 1992's The Wayward Bus (now most easily available together as a compilation, The Wayward Bus / Distant Plastic Trees) are sung by Susan Anway, all subsequent albums are principally sung by Merritt himself.
Longtime members include: Gonson, (cellist) Sam Davol, and (banjo player/guitarist) John Woo. Contributors include (but are not limited to) the singers Susan Anway, Dudley Klute, Shirley Simms, and LD Beghtol, and the accordionist/writer Daniel Handler (famous for writing the childrens' books A Series of Unfortunate Events under the alias Lemony Snicket).
Their most popular and best-selling album to date is 69 Love Songs issued on Merge Records as a triple album filled with many fairly short songs that are reminiscent of early Beatles productions.
The album is notable for its employment of many unorthodox musical arrangements and downright impressive quantity of material presented. Instruments used on this album include the ukulele, banjo, accordion, cello, mandolin, piano, flute, xylophone guitars, various percussion instruments, and a standard setup of synths and effects. It features several guest vocalists on several different tracks. The album is a three CD set, released in the US as three separate albums (also available as a boxed set) and in the UK as a triple album.
The album i (2004, Nonesuch Records) continues Merritt's fixation on the concept album, with each of the 14 songs beginning with the letter (and often the pronoun) "I".
The most recent album, entitled Distortion, was released through Nonesuch on the 15th January 2008 and introduced noise pop to the array of styles utilized in their music. The album's release was followed by a sold-out U.S. tour starting in February.
Stephin Merritt is involved in several other musical projects: The 6ths (featuring different guest performers on every track), The Gothic Archies (songs dealing humorously with dark themes) and Future Bible Heroes (with music written by Chris Ewen)
http://www.houseoftomorrow.com/
 |
69 Love Songs (disc 1) 7 Sep 1999 Details |
 |
Distortion 15 Jan 2008 Details |
 |
69 Love Songs Details |
 |
69 Love Songs (disc 2) 7 Sep 1999 Details |
 |
i 30 Nov 2003 Details |
 |
Get Lost 28 Feb 1996 Details |
 |
Holiday 30 Nov 1992 Details |
 |
The Wayward Bus / Distant Plastic Trees 31 Dec 1993 Details |
 |
69 Love Songs, Vol. 1 Details |
 |
69 Love Songs, Vol. 3 Details |
 |
69 Love Songs Vol. 1 Details |
 |
69 Love Songs (disc 3) 7 Sep 1999 Details |
 |
The Charm of the Highway Strip 30 Nov 1992 Details |
 |
69 Love Songs, Vol. 2 Details |
 |
The House of Tomorrow 30 Nov 1991 Details |
 |
Holyday Details |
 |
69 Love Songs Volume 1 Details |
 |
Distant Plastic Trees 30 Nov 1989 Details |
 |
The Wayward Bus 30 Nov 1991 Details |
 |
Pieces of April 31 Oct 2003 Details |
 |
Charm Of The Highway Strip Details |
 |
House of Tomorrow Details |
 |
I Thought You Were My Boyfriend 29 Jun 2004 Details |
 |
69 Love Songs Vol.1 Details |
 |
Knitting on the Roof 16 Nov 1999 Details |
 |
Intermission Soundtrack Details |
 |
Twee as Fuck: The Joy of Kittenhood 24 Oct 2005 Details |
|
One Too Twee: An Indiepop Retrospective Details |
 |
69 Love Songs Vol.2 Details |
 |
69 Love Songs Vol.3 Details |
 |
Oh, Merge: A Merge Records 10 Year Anniversary Compilation 6 Jul 1999 Details |
|
Hear Music Playlist, Volume 2 30 Nov 2003 Details |
 |
Random: A Tribute to Gary Numan (disc 1) 10 Jun 1997 Details |
 |
All is fair in love and chickfactor Details |
 |
Crash Course for the Ravers: A Tribute to David Bowie Details |
 |
Rough Trade Shops: Indiepop 1 (disc 2) 4 Oct 2004 Details |
|
The Magnetic Fields: B-Sides, Etc. Details |
 |
California Girls Details |
 |
Wayward Bus Details |
|
69 Love Songs Pt 1 Details |
 |
The Wayward Bus/Distant Plasti Details |
 |
FM4 Soundselection: 6 (disc 1) 30 Nov 2000 Details |
|
69 Love Songs Pt 2 Details |
|
One Too Twee: An Indiepop Retrospective (disc 3) Details |
 |
69 Love Songs #1 Details |
 |
Select: Revolutions 04 31 Dec 2000 Details |
 |
Pop Romantique: French Pop Classics 1 Aug 1999 Details |
|
69 Love Songs Pt 3 Details |
 |
69 Love Songs #2 Details |
 |
Uncut 2004.03: The Nonesuch Collection 29 Feb 2004 Details |