69 Love Songs
Product Type: Music
Product Price: $39.98
Manufacturer: Merge Records
Purchase
Description
1999 and first new material in four years by Stephin Merrit 's main band (his side projects include Future Bible Heroes, Gothic Archies and The 6ths). Limited three disc set f eaturing more wonderful, yet cynically skewed, pop songs as only Merritt (and a midi) can do 'em! Features all three volumes of '69 Love Songs' (also sold separately), as well as a76 page booklet only available in this box! Each disc comes in a separate standard jewel case & together they come in a colorful CD-sized slipcase box. 69 tracks.
Singer-songwriter Stephen Merritt's ironically morose lyrics, Tin Pan Alley stylings, sugary melodies, and idiosyncratic sound have earned his band the Magnetic Fields cult status and the adulation of grad students everywhere. The ambitious, genre-hopping, and intensely heart-tugging three-disc set 69 Love Songs probably won't gain Merritt the wider recognition he deserves, but the clever misanthrope likely wouldn't have it any other way. --Mike McGonigal
Initially conceived as 100 love songs arranged in alphabetical order for theatrical revue performance, Stephin Merritt--indie-pop songsmith and Magnetic Fields spearhead--downsized his ambitious concept project to 69 Love Songs, his first recording under this moniker in four years. Parleyed into three volumes, Merritt, as on other outings, is joined by a rotating cast of musicians including manager Claudia Gonson. These players take on the role of orchestra and cast to Merritt's madcap composer, librettist, and performer, augmenting his lo-fi electronic-based rock with sparkling instrumental touches and narrative vocals for a portion of his absurdly wondrous ditties. Endlessly intriguing, the Fields revisit not only earlier themes of love both shunned and requited, but continue to forge a seemingly impossible synthesis of country-tinged Euro-pop and old-school musical theater. No stranger to melancholy, Merritt's twinkly music-box world, in shades of resplendent violet, is beautifully peopled with incurable romantics who drop pop-culture references and shed gender identity as often as most folks change their underpants. Not surprisingly, 69 Love Songs is delicious defeat on the romance front while pulling ahead as Merritt's most coherently engaging listen. --Paige La Grone
Reviews
Rating: 3 / 5
Date: 2010-01-22
Summary: "The content is good..."
...but I ordered a $36 new boxed set, and how does it arrive? One has a scratched case and one case is broken and the part of it is in the box. Yes, that probably was a mistake in the packaging, but seriously, couldn't they try to protect it a little? That was obnoxious. Hopefully, you will have more luck that I had, because this really is a great album.
Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2009-12-26
Summary: "I could not live without this album"
I only discovered the Magnetic fields a few years ago, but they have quickly become my favorite band. Stephin Merritt is a god among men. I don't say this lightly. I love all kinds of music. But the Magnetic Fields is like nothing else I have in my immense collection. The diversity and range of the music is staggering. But one thing I have learned in sharing their music - you either love them or hate them. There's very little in between. I love them. And if you can only own one album or simply want to break in for the first time, buy this one. But beware, it may start a massive addiction like it has me.
Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2009-02-25
Summary: "It's that good."
There are verry few bands that truly amaze in modern music...The Magnetic Fields are one of those bands. Beautiful, dark, romantic, intellectual, and unusual in every way. The music on this box set (trilogy CD compilation) goes all over the spectrum of indie pop and experimental rock. At times, even a little raw dirty country...and a sprinkle of neo-classical down tempo who knows what. Great music...that all I can say. Amazing!
Rating: 4 / 5
Date: 2009-02-13
Summary: "Whimsical, Affected, Catchy, Funny, Conceited, Clever..."
...with 69 songs there's going to be something to love, and something to hate, on this 3 CD set. None of these songs have energy enough to rise above the crowd and be distinct and memorable, but a lot of the music is infectious, silly, inventive and sometimes beautiful.
Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2009-01-30
Summary: "WOW!"
Wow! This is fantastic! I received it very promptly as well. The condition is next to none. Wonderful buying experience!! Thanks!
