The Magnetic Fields Album: “69 Love Songs Vol. 2”
 Description :
Also available as part of 69 LOVE SONGS, a 3-CD box set on Merge (169).
<p>The Magnetic Fields include: Stephin Merritt (vocals, various instruments); Claudia Gonson (vocals, piano, drums, percussion); John Woo (guitar, banjo, mandolin, bass); Sam Davol (cello, flute); Daniel Handler (accordion, keyboards).
<p>Additional personnel includes: LD Beghtol, Dudley Klute, Shirley Simms (vocals).
<p>Engineers include: Charles Newman, Chris Ewen, Claudia Gonson.
<p>Opening with the choral "Roses," the cacophonous "Love Is Like Jazz" and the gloriously fuzz-toned '60s pop of "When My Boy Walks Down the Street," 69 LOVE SONGS, VOLUME TWO is the most wide-ranging of the Magnetic Fields' three similarly-titled and simultaneously released CDs. Unlike earlier Magnetic Fields albums, each of which worked within specific musical idioms, the 23 songs on this CD skip from genre to genre, held together by mastermind Stephin Merritt's inimitable vocals and singular lyrical viewpoint. The gospel-style "Time Enough for Rocking When We're Old" and the good-timey country duet with Shirley Simms, "Papa Was a Rodeo," show Merritt's doleful baritone at its Johnny Cash-like finest, but each tune is an idiosyncratic gem, with keyboard-based arrangements, colored by ukelele, cello, musical saw, and other unusual instruments that are as individual as the songs themselves. The CD is available by itself or as part of a three-CD box set.
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Track Listing :
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Album Information :
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69 Love Songs Vol. 2 |
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UPC:036172946723
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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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Producer:Stephin Merritt
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Label:Merge Records
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Distributed:Alternative Dis. Alliance
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Release Date:1999/09/07
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Original Release Year:1999
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Discs:1
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Mono / Stereo:Stereo
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Studio / Live:Studio
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
- some fall in love -- i shatter
Although others here have said that it is impossible to like one volume of "69 Love Songs" over any other, I fear that it is. This is, currently, my favorite volume.
There are just too many good songs on here -- "Roses," "When My Boy Walks Down the Street," "Time Enough For Rocking When We're Old," "Very Funny," "Grand Canyon," etc, etc. And "Papa Was a Rodeo," "Epitaph for My Heart" and "Asleep and Dreaming" are some of Merritt's best compositions, lyrically and musically.
Sure, it sort of drags a little bit in the middle ("Washington, D.C." and "Kiss Me Like You Mean It" come to mind), but all three volumes have their share of somewhat mediocre songs.
It also has the best opening and closing tracks of the three volumes (although "Absolutely Cuckoo" is pretty amazing) -- "Roses" is a lovingly sung thirty second song that defies catagorization (there's no music, just a beautiful voice); and "I Shatter" also defies catagorization with it's Laurie Anderson-like vocals (anyone remember that oddity "O Superman"?).
Regardless, you should not just buy one or two volumes -- buy the box set. There are some songs ("Absolutely Cuckoo," "A Chicken with Its Head Cut Off," "Busby Berkeley Dreams," "The Death of Ferdinand de Saussure," and many, many more) that are not available on volume two. But, if you must buy one, I guess I'll be one of the few to say "pick volume 2."
Customer review - April 22, 2002
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
- QAF led me to this fantastic CD!!
...The song was "When My Boy Walks Down the
Street", and I ordered the CD for it. Well, it was so
good, I hardly ever listen to When My Boy, because I love
the other ones so much!! Papa Was A Rodeo is excellent,
a short little ditty called Washington DC makes me want
to get up and cheer:)Stuffed with good things, I'm telling
everyone I know about it. And now, I must get the other discs
in the set. BUY BUY BUY!!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
- Don't believe the fanatics
Volumes 1 & 3 have it all over this one. That other 3 star rating was right -- it obviously upset the Merritt fanatics. 7 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
- If you dont cry, then you just dont feel it deep enough...
Um. Im not sure if the kid who gave this disc 3 stars really ever listened to it. Im thinking not because THIS IS THE BEST DISC OF THE SET. Case closed. Pencils down.
Stephin Merritt gives you 23 amazingly haunting and beautiful nuggets of pop wisdom on this disc. Starting with 'ROSES' which could easily be a Dorthy Parker poem, and finishing up with 'I SHATTER' which is like a Kate Bush song sung by froggy from the Little Rascals tv program. Cute!
Between these two soon to be classics, you will find a mass of Wilde wit and pure pop sugar to keep your head buzzing for days. There are some tunes on here that would be perfect for a 'breaking up with you' mix tape. Check out my personal faves; No One Will Ever Love You, If You Don't Cry, Epitaph For My Heart, and (Crazy for you)But Not That Crazy.
To prove that the world is not all about sadness and pain, Stephin also includes some of the most beautiful love songs you will ever hear. Songs like; Asleep and Dreaming, Papa Was A Rodeo, Washington DC, and Kiss Me Like You Mean It.
This Disc goes from faux Beat Poetry to 1980's New Wave to Corny Country to 1960's girl group super power pop and makes every stop between.
I would suggest getting the boxed set of all 69 songs but if your mom said you could only get one disc, this is the one I would most strongly suggest. If you dig the magnetic fields, you will love this disc.
- outstanding writing and musicianship.
Enjoyable listen. I own second of 3 volume set. Plan to purchase rest. Thoughtful and enchanting music for many occasions or just a reflective listen. |
