― Ned Raggett, Friday, 27 April 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
― Sterling Clover, Friday, 27 April 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
― fred solinger, Friday, 27 April 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
― Dr. C, Friday, 27 April 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
DESTROY: nothing, well maybe punk love.
― Jeff, Friday, 27 April 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
2. No, 69LS is not only significant cos there are so many tracks. It's significant cos there are so many tracks and so many of them are outright death-defyingly wonderful.
3. Have never heard that Gary Numan cover. Probably don't want to.
4. It's nice that all these people like Get Lost, but I think it's a mix of the sublime and the dull. For 'Desperate Things' alone, worth the entrance fee, but there's that godawful slow one - track 6 or something - which is close to being a 'Destroy' candidate. In fact, 'You & Me and the Moon' is bland, too, and 'Save A Secret For the Moon' is only just redeemed by the line 'Write it on a black balloon', and 'The Village In The Morning' is average. Too much of it is too average, given his standards elsewhere. That said, I still think it beats the overrated Holiday on account of its high points.
This is pointless. I do apologize.
4. Nominating 'loads of 69LS' or whatever is unhelpful - it doesn't tell us what you don't like about 69LS, or why. Stevie T, for all his errors of judgement elsewhere, has surely made the definitive defence of the 'weak' tracks on 69LS, re. their part in a larger pattern which ought not to be disturbed.
― the pinefox, Saturday, 28 April 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
Destroy: "Love Is Like Jazz", "It's a Crime", "For We Are The King Of The Boudoir", "I've Got New York", "The Dead Only Quickly", "Waltzing Me All The Way Home".
― Robin Carmody, Saturday, 28 April 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
― sundar subramanian, Saturday, 28 April 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
― First of the Ruralpolitans, Saturday, 28 April 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
― Josh, Sunday, 29 April 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
― the pinefox, Monday, 30 April 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
― Tim, Monday, 30 April 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
But do *you* want to be the one to tell ld?
― K-reg, Tuesday, 1 May 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
― K-reg, Wednesday, 2 May 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
The best other record to get is the single CD which collects the first two albums: Distant Plastic Trees (1989) / The Wayward Bus (1991). The first LP is somewhat experimental, the second LP more a pure pop-fest, but still underlaid with loads of strange noises that take some getting used to. The melodies are magnificent and astounding.
The later LPs are more patchy. Holiday, I think, is overrated: irritating production, average songs. The Charm of the Highway Strip is an electronic, inorganic version of country music which works extremely well but is a tad short. Get Lost mixes sublime songs with dull ones and is somewhat lusher in sound than the previous records. There was also a sort of ep, The House of Tomorrow, which has two corkers and three duller tracks (as far as I can remember). It's worth having but overpriced.
Then there are the other bands. I don't know much Future Bible Heroes: that's a kind of disco project as far as I can make out. I don't really know any Gothic Archies either: that's difficult goth rock as far as I can make out. The 6ths = Merritt songs sung by other singers, only a few of whom are really well-know. Both 6ths LPs are mixed bags but worth having. The first, Wasps' Nests, is a bit murky and samey (Tom E has said this elsewhere) but does kick off with three aboslute peaches: almost worth it for its opening track 'San Diego Zoo' alone. The 2nd 6ths LP, Hyacinths & Thistles, is a record of two halves: a load of really strong material on side 1, a load of disappointing throwaway camp nonsense on side 2 (plus one good song that should have been on side 1: then you could cut it in half and throw away the worse half, as I think Hamlet says of his mother's heart).
Lots of people are not interested in this stuff anyway, but if you are, I think the list of essential purchases should go:
69 Love Songs - The Wayward Bus / Distant Plastic Trees - The Charm of the Highway Strip - Get Lost - Holiday - Wasps' Nests - Hyacinths & Thistles - House of Tomorrow // then all the other records I don't know.
The rhino can wait. Start with the zebra.
― the pinefox, Wednesday, 2 May 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
― Tom, Wednesday, 2 May 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
― K-reg, Thursday, 3 May 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
― K-reg, Friday, 4 May 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
But why?
― Nick, Friday, 4 May 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
― the pinefox, Wednesday, 23 May 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
― a-33, Monday, 22 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-one years ago) link
Destroy : I find "Asleep & Dreaming" slight, but I haven't actually been exposed to too many universally-panned SM tracks (my SM exposure largely due to ILM & filesharing).
― Ess Kay (esskay), Sunday, 13 July 2003 04:39 (twenty years ago) link
god, this was a while ago. we were all so innocent in our indiscriminate genocidal impulses.
― Wyndham Earl, Sunday, 13 July 2003 05:48 (twenty years ago) link
― Andrew Thames (Andrew Thames), Sunday, 13 July 2003 10:39 (twenty years ago) link
― Andrew Thames (Andrew Thames), Sunday, 13 July 2003 12:34 (twenty years ago) link
Yet I still count myself among his supplicants
― Roque Strew (RoqueStrew), Monday, 13 June 2005 10:09 (eighteen years ago) link
http://www.playbill.com/news/article/92694.html
― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Monday, 13 June 2005 12:57 (eighteen years ago) link
― Josh in Chicago (Josh in Chicago), Monday, 13 June 2005 14:10 (eighteen years ago) link
― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Monday, 13 June 2005 14:54 (eighteen years ago) link
― fortunate hazel (f. hazel), Monday, 13 June 2005 17:51 (eighteen years ago) link
BTW, am I the only one here who LOVES both the music and the concept of the Gothic Archies. Has anybody listened to the songs he did for Lemony Snicket?
― daavid (daavid), Monday, 13 June 2005 18:09 (eighteen years ago) link
― alex in mainhattan (alex63), Monday, 13 June 2005 19:29 (eighteen years ago) link
pure spinal tap!
― mookieproof (mookieproof), Monday, 13 June 2005 20:28 (eighteen years ago) link
anyone who loves (especially Holiday-era) Magnetic Fields should check The Russian FuturistsMatt tends more to the swoony heartache side of Merritt than ironic detachmentbut nails the humour too. you can get choked up just reading the lyric sheet..."A Telegram From The Future" has a melody as aching as anything Brian Wilson wrote!
Magnetic Fields/The 6ths?Search especially Holiday, Charm..., Get Lost, Wasp's Nests, loads of good songs on those albumsDestroy? don't like the more campy ironic stuff as much - he can get rather cutesyhe's stronger when subversively straight
― Paul (scifisoul), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 02:04 (eighteen years ago) link
Hmm? Closer to pure Frank Loesser. "Inchworm, inchworm / Measuring the marigolds..."
>was just thinking today he must know about ILM<
You sure? When he was on Merge he bristled hugely when anyone attempted to place him in an 'indie' genre.
― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 12:36 (eighteen years ago) link
― Paul (scifisoul), Wednesday, 15 June 2005 02:54 (eighteen years ago) link
― Amateur(ist) (Amateur(ist)), Wednesday, 15 June 2005 03:48 (eighteen years ago) link
― fortunate hazel (f. hazel), Wednesday, 15 June 2005 04:58 (eighteen years ago) link
http://www.wfmu.org/playlists/ML
Tune in Friday, May 12 from noon-3pm as guest DJ Stephin Merritt joinsMonica for a celebration of the song "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah." My, oh my,it'll be a wonderful day.
― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Friday, 12 May 2006 13:00 (seventeen years ago) link
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=15859351
― the pinefox, Wednesday, 7 November 2007 20:20 (sixteen years ago) link
'wielder of flails and maces'
Almost like watching the Foxgloves at work, save that he is a better lead guitarist; certainly a better one than I had imagined.
― the pinefox, Wednesday, 7 November 2007 20:28 (sixteen years ago) link
This is very cool. I hope they do more.
― Mr. Goodman, Wednesday, 7 November 2007 20:28 (sixteen years ago) link
Is there a thread about this yet?
http://www.strangepowersfilm.com/
I'm kind of surprised Merritt would agree to do this, pleasantly surprised.
― one boob is free with one (daavid), Tuesday, 2 March 2010 06:54 (fourteen years ago) link
I gotta say the trailer looks kinda disappointing though.
― one boob is free with one (daavid), Tuesday, 2 March 2010 06:57 (fourteen years ago) link
hadnt ever heard this, its on the obscurities collection now, <3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Or8IdHEuvGA
― johnny crunch, Saturday, 10 September 2011 03:21 (twelve years ago) link
as overrated as outkast.
― gareth, Thursday, April 26, 2001 7:00 PM (10 years ago) Bookmark
lol
― rip van wanko, Saturday, 10 September 2011 03:27 (twelve years ago) link
http://watching-tv.ew.com/2011/11/01/craig-ferguson-neil-gaiman-stephin-merritt-moby-halloween/
― Dr Morbois de Bologne (Dr Morbius), Saturday, 5 November 2011 03:47 (twelve years ago) link
The obscurities collection is horrible, but I'm still wanting to see the documentary about Merritt. Anyone seen it?
― If Assholes Could Fly This Place Would Be An Airport, Saturday, 5 November 2011 03:58 (twelve years ago) link
Haven't, but it's on Netflix.
― your way better (Eazy), Saturday, 5 November 2011 04:19 (twelve years ago) link
I saw its one local cinema screening last year. Was weirdly compromised by trying not to get too indepth for casual viewers, and assuming large parts of the narrative would be commonly known. Would have enjoyed a longer, more leisurely cut more.
― ٩(̾●̮̮̃̾•̃̾)۶ (sic), Saturday, 5 November 2011 06:12 (twelve years ago) link
― Dr Morbois de Bologne (Dr Morbius), Saturday, November 5, 2011 5:47 AM (4 hours ago) Bookmark
I loved this!!
― NoTimeBeforeTime, Saturday, 5 November 2011 08:46 (twelve years ago) link
I like the Obscurities collection! Some real gems on there.
― She Got the Shakes, Saturday, 5 November 2011 11:01 (twelve years ago) link
The doc is good, gets to the essence of his persona and m.o.
― Dr Morbois de Bologne (Dr Morbius), Saturday, 5 November 2011 16:29 (twelve years ago) link
The Obscurities collection is OK, it works if you're in the mood for a Merritt mixtape, but there's nothing essential on there.
― NoTimeBeforeTime, Saturday, 5 November 2011 18:02 (twelve years ago) link
this is the greatest magnetic fields song of all, t/f
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVEhNHIzJec
― double whooooaaaaa! (Z S), Saturday, 5 November 2011 18:51 (twelve years ago) link
Enjoyed the documentary very much.
― If Assholes Could Fly This Place Would Be An Airport, Thursday, 10 November 2011 16:54 (twelve years ago) link
Resented the description of the typical Magnetic Fields fan as being variously "from Brooklyn or Manhattan," "looking like they're from Brooklyn or Manhattan," "gay," or "young." I am none of these things. I also disliked how they glossed over I, which I think is a way underrated album (I know I'm in the minority here).
― If Assholes Could Fly This Place Would Be An Airport, Thursday, 10 November 2011 16:56 (twelve years ago) link
maybe this was descriptive of a 1995 vintage MF fan?
― Dr Morbois de Bologne (Dr Morbius), Thursday, 10 November 2011 16:57 (twelve years ago) link
It took me a while to come around to I, which was kind of his breakthrough in Britain (bunch of Guardian/Observer features etc).
― encarta it (Gukbe), Thursday, 10 November 2011 17:19 (twelve years ago) link
Glossed over? They really don't talk about any of the albums in depth, and only mention Distortion and 69 Love Songs in any sort of detail at all. I suppose like most docs it captures the man/band at a particular time and place, with bits and pieces of interesting bio stuff scattered throughout.
― Josh in Chicago, Thursday, 10 November 2011 18:12 (twelve years ago) link
exactly, it wasn't aiming for a career survey.
― Dr Morbois de Bologne (Dr Morbius), Thursday, 10 November 2011 19:33 (twelve years ago) link
I know. I just thought it seemed abrupt to be showing footage of the 69 Love Songs shows and then immediately cut to the recording of Distortion.
― If Assholes Could Fly This Place Would Be An Airport, Thursday, 10 November 2011 19:42 (twelve years ago) link
http://la.curbed.com/archives/2012/06/magnetic_fields_frontman_lists_pink_craftsman_in_hollywood.php
― Pangborn to be Wilde (Dr Morbius), Thursday, 28 June 2012 04:45 (eleven years ago) link
tonight on WFMU's Morricone Island (7pm EDT):
Tue. May 14th, 7pm - 8pm: Stephin MerrittStephin Merritt stops by to discuss his upcoming original live score for Tod Browning's 1925 silent film "The Unholy Three" starring Lon Chaney at Town Hall on May 18th, with accordionist/novelist Daniel Handler and violist Pinky Weitzman. In addition to releasing albums with The Magnetic Fields, The 6ths, The Gothic Archies and Future Bible Heroes, Merritt has composed for films "Pieces of April," "Eban and Charley" and "In The Courtyard" as well live scored the 1916 silent "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" and Tod Browning's 1927 "The Unknown."
http://www.wfmu.org/playlists/PE
― a Mets fan who gave up on everything in the mid '80s (Dr Morbius), Tuesday, 14 May 2019 22:00 (four years ago) link