The Magnetic Fields Album: “Holiday”
 Description :
The Magnetic Fields: Stephin Merritt.
<p>Additional personnel includes: Sam Davol (cello); Johny Blood (tuba); Claudia Gonson.
<p>Stephin Merritt has claimed that each of the first four Magnetic Fields albums has a specific and unique musical style. It is telling that HOLIDAY shares its name with Madonna's first major hit single, because the musical style on display here is early-'80s-style synth-dance-pop. Of course, in 1994, at the pinnacle of the post-grunge "alternative" era, few musics could have been more resolutely unfashionable. There's no doubt that the ever-contrary Merritt had this in mind all along.
<p>In keeping with the escapist title and lighthearted music, Merritt's lyrics only occasionally-and then only lightly-touch upon his usual world-weary cynicism, as on the mournful "Deep Sea Diving Suit." Merritt pursues a more romantic path for most HOLIDAY, crooning the swooning "Take Ecstasy With Me" and "Strange Powers" with an uncharacteristic lightness of spirit. Chances are that it is all deeply ironic and bitter, but at least on the surface, HOLIDAY is sheer delight.
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Track Listing :
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Album Information :
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UPC:036172945122
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Format:CD
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Type:Performer
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Genre:Rock & Pop - Alternative
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Artist:The Magnetic Fields
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Label:Merge Records
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Distributed:Alternative Dis. Alliance
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Release Date:1999/01/12
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Original Release Year:1994
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Discs:1
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Length:36:18
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Mono / Stereo:Stereo
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Studio / Live:Studio
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
- Their Second Wonderful album....
and arguably the best of the early ones (if not the best of all of his). Holiday is a wonderful synth pop album which ranks up there with 69 Love Songs as their best. This opened my ears to alot of synth pop music.
The album starts of with the 22 second long intro, which has a sixties-meets-synth sound to it (i think) and is followed by 13 brilliant tracks. All You Ever Do Is Walk Away is one of the best vocal performance from Stephin Merritt and also ranks as one of his best songs. Other highlights are Trouble I've Been looking For and Take Ecstacy With Me.
Buy this and 69 Love Songs for the perfect grasp of the best of this band.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
- Best of Magnetic Fields...pure Brilliance
This is probably my favorite album. This title along with 'Get Lost' is Magnetic Fields at it's peak. The title Holiday is a play on words because the album is both elating and depressing at the same time.
The lyrics are sad, brilliant...
i can show you sadder poetry
than you ever dreamed there could be
i know all the saddest people
most of them are dead now
...and are interesting play off the sometimes upbeat hooks. But, usually, the hooks also play off upbeat/downer off each other. Easy to say, hard to do.
There is so much texture and richness in this CD, I still hear new aspects in it after dozens and dozens of plays.
Also worthy of mention is the work with Susan Anway as vocalist on The Wayward Bus/Distant Plastic Trees albums. But, I recommend starting with this one.
Personally, I was less excited by Stephen's recent 'i' CD.
If you don't own Holiday...buy it.
-Pete
pEEtah! (boston, ma, usa) - July 21, 2001
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
- this is an amazing cd.... in the all time top 5....
if youre going to get a magnetic fields album... this is the one to get. its an amazing record you could never get tired of. the cd has an electropop indie rock feel that blends very well with steven merritt's voice. if you like them, try: belle and sebastian, the pet shop boys, the smiths, the velvet underground, sebadoh, helium, and even polvo. this album is AMAZING. so there. 1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
- most accessible and coolest of the Magnetics...
one of those peices of art I feel priveleged know of. About half the songs are instant classics and leave me in a sea of bliss. (see "Flowers..", "Stranger Powers","In my secret place", "Sugar World", "All you ever..", "Take Ecstasy..") The rest are quality too though. Don't know if I've ever heard the synthesizer put to such good use or if there's a voice (or mind for that matter) I'm more jealous of than Stephen Merritt's. Start here, then "Get Lost" ... Customer review - October 22, 1999
5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
- catchy as all get out
holiday + the charm of the highway strip = a mighty pair -- on a roll, as they say. irony-free synthesizers for the 90s. merritt's voice a powerful/sad thing: lovesick always, but a hopeless addict. i think the point here is not so much the healing power of music, but merely an invitation to dance away the pain -- catchy, smart pop as emotional narcotic. here's your chance to score.... |
