The Magnetic Fields – Quickies (2020) [FLAC 24bit/44,1kHz]

The Magnetic Fields – Quickies (2020)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 46:40 minutes | 504 MB | Genre: Alternative, Indie
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Digital Booklet, Front Cover | © Nonesuch

Is there such a thing as being too prolific or having too much to say? Stephin Merritt, one of popular music’s true eccentrics, is also one of its most copious songwriters. Over the years, in side projects like The 6ths, The Gothic Archies and Future Bible Heroes, as well as his main band, The Magnetic Fields, Merritt has spun his own wonderfully ornate and populous creative universe, one that has often expressed itself in massive multi-song, multi-volume epics. While he may never again equal the massive chunk of creativity of the exceptional 69 Love Songs (1999), Merritt did give it an equally compelling run for its money with his last outing, 50 Song Memoir (2017).

While there is no doubting the craft and intelligence behind his artful melodies and silly, absurdist sense of humor, there is an argument to be made that Merritt might focus his vision more effectively by distilling even further his folk pop sprawl. That may be some of the inspiration behind Quickies, a 28-track collection of bite-sized snatches of love, wit and wisdom. Musically, the uber brief format—all songs are well under the two and a half minute mark, with the shortest at 13 seconds—compresses his synth folk melodies into hooky flashes, all orchestrated with his trademark blend of keyboards (Moog, ARP, Omnichord, Wurlitzer) and exotic acoustic instruments (cigar box guitar, banjolele, wine box cello). Along with Merritt’s deep, resounding croon, the vocals are handled by longtime Magnetic Fields vocalists Claudia Gonson and Shirley Simms. Lyrically, random thoughts become tuneful snatches with typically droll titles like “Kraftwerk in a Blackout,” Let’s Get Drunk Again (and Get Divorced),” and “I Wish I Had Fangs and Tail.” With highlights like the New Orleans swirl “Evil Rhythm,” the abject frolic “I’ve Got a Date with Jesus” or topical single “The Day The Politicians Died,” these deadpan bursts are not only essential for fans but a prime introduction to the austere methods and approachable humor of Merritt’s musical cosmos. – Robert Baird

Tracklist

1. The Magnetic Fields – Castles of America
2. The Magnetic Fields – The Biggest Tits in History
3. The Magnetic Fields – The Day the Politicians Died
4. The Magnetic Fields – Castle Down a Dirt Road
5. The Magnetic Fields – Bathroom Quickie
6. The Magnetic Fields – My Stupid Boyfriend
7. The Magnetic Fields – Love Gone Wrong
8. The Magnetic Fields – Favorite Bar
9. The Magnetic Fields – Kill a Man a Week
10. The Magnetic Fields – Kraftwerk in a Blackout
11. The Magnetic Fields – When She Plays the Toy Piano
12. The Magnetic Fields – Death Pact (Let’s Make A)
13. The Magnetic Fields – I’ve Got a Date With Jesus
14. The Magnetic Fields – Come, Life, Shaker Life!
15. The Magnetic Fields – (I Want to Join A) Biker Gang
16. The Magnetic Fields – Rock ‘n’ Roll Guy
17. The Magnetic Fields – You’ve Got a Friend in Beelzebub
18. The Magnetic Fields – Let’s Get Drunk Again (And Get Divorced)
19. The Magnetic Fields – The Best Cup of Coffee in Tennessee
20. The Magnetic Fields – When the Brat Upstairs Got a Drum Kit
21. The Magnetic Fields – The Price You Pay
22. The Magnetic Fields – The Boy in the Corner
23. The Magnetic Fields – Song of the Ant
24. The Magnetic Fields – I Wish I Had Fangs and a Tail
25. The Magnetic Fields – Evil Rhythm
26. The Magnetic Fields – She Says Hello
27. The Magnetic Fields – The Little Robot Girl
28. The Magnetic Fields – I Wish I Were a Prostitute Again

Download:

mqs.link_TheMagneticFieldsQuickies202024441.rar