Quality & Quantity (69 Love Songs - Magnetic Fields)

Member Name: marianne-k

Product:	69 Love Songs - Magnetic Fields
Date:	29/01/01 (68 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: 69 tracks

Disadvantages: only 69 !

'69 Lovesongs' is phenomenal!

Stephin Merritt's songwriting ability simply cannot be understated. Not only does he play hundreds of instruments, but he writes the wittiest, most cynical and intelligent lyrics that i have heard in a long time.

Some people may think that 69 tracks on 3 cds is a little excessive for an album, but the project was initially to write 100 lovesongs, for a live act. However when the group realised that it would take well over 4 hours to perform 100, they dropped down to the next most significant(?!) number- sixty-nine.

When listening to this album it may seem curious to call them lovesongs, but Merritt's lyrics speak not only of the excitement and promise that love brings, but the reality, mundanity, ironies and pain that is often more apparent.

Those who have had the priveledge to see the Magnetic Fields perform will know that the musicality and humour in this album is so genuine it is almost touching. This is a great album which has something for everyone, and will leave the listener constantly changing their mind about which is their favourite track!

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