The Magnetic Fields is a New York-based music collective centered on Stephin Merritt and a host of collaborators, contributors, and guests. Recent albums released by Merritt under the name "The Magnetic Fields" usually consist of synth-pop music in a 1980s style underlying clever lyrics which are often heavily ironic. The band was originally formed in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1990 by schoolmates Merritt and (percussionist/pianist) Claudia Gonson. While 1991's Distant Plastic Trees and 1992's The Wayward Bus (now most easily available together as a compilation; the 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 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.
Track Listings:
01. BBC Radiophonic Workshop
02. Desert Island
03. Deep Sea Diving Suit
04. Strange Powers
05. Torn Green Velvet Eyes
06. The Flowers She Sent and the Flowers She Said She Sent
07. Swinging London
08. In my Secret Place
09. Sad Little Moon
10. The trouble I've been looking for
11. Sugar World
12. All you ever do is walk away
13. In my Car
14. Take Ecstasy with me
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