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Cambridge, Boston MA, United States (1990 – present)
The Magnetic Fields is a New York-based group fronted by Stephin Merritt. Recent albums released under the name “The Magnetic Fields” usually consist of synth-pop music in a 1980s style underlying clever lyrics which are often heavily ironic. While synth-pop often forms the foundation of their music, The Magnetic Fields’ music borrows from many other styles, notably country, folk and indie pop.
The band was originally formed in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1990 by friends Merritt and (percussionist/pianist/vocalist) Claudia Gonson. While 1991’s Distant Plastic Trees and 1992’s The Wayward Bus (now most easily available together as a compilation, The Wayward Bus / Distant Plastic Trees) are sung by Susan Anway, all subsequent albums are principally sung by Merritt himself.
Longtime members include: Gonson, (cellist) Sam Davol, and (banjo player/guitarist) John Woo. Contributors include (but are not limited to) the singers Susan Anway, Dudley Klute, Shirley Simms, and LD Beghtol, and the accordionist/writer Daniel Handler (famous for writing the childrens’ books A Series of Unfortunate Events under the alias Lemony Snicket).
Their most popular and best-selling album to date is 69 Love Songs issued on Merge Records as a triple album filled with many fairly short songs that are reminiscent of early Beatles productions.
The band was originally formed in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1990 by friends Merritt and (percussionist/pianist/vocalist) Claudia Gonson. While 1991’s Distant Plastic Trees and 1992’s The Wayward Bus (now most easily available together as a compilation, The Wayward Bus / Distant Plastic Trees) are sung by Susan Anway, all subsequent albums are principally sung by Merritt himself.
Longtime members include: Gonson, (cellist) Sam Davol, and (banjo player/guitarist) John Woo. Contributors include (but are not limited to) the singers Susan Anway, Dudley Klute, Shirley Simms, and LD Beghtol, and the accordionist/writer Daniel Handler (famous for writing the childrens’ books A Series of Unfortunate Events under the alias Lemony Snicket).
Their most popular and best-selling album to date is 69 Love Songs issued on Merge Records as a triple album filled with many fairly short songs that are reminiscent of early Beatles productions.
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Top Albums
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69 Love Songs
The Magnetic Fields
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69 Love Songs (disc 1)
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Distortion
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i
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Shoutbox
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GeovaniRocha wrote:
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LiteraryBum wrote:
who needs kids[?]...instead opt for a stylish glass coffee table with sharp edges.
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Pukkkk wrote:
Stephin Merritt is Gaylord MF!!! I wanna have children with him (I'm male). He's not very beautiful, but a charmer in words; that's enought. We could have a surrogate mother like all those stars, and than we could get divorced, and our child will kill itself, bleed before our eyes; than we will realize, our love is forever. Even after death. With god and so. And our dead child will be our guardian angel: FUCK CHILDREN! Who needs them...!!!...
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e8ghtmileshigh wrote:
Stephin Merritt is the Cole Porter of our generation
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pedrodim wrote:
http://last.fm/music/The+Magnetic+Fields/+images/73033754 great pic. vote up!
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KasparovDeepBlu wrote:
come to italyyyyy. [2]
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burningburning wrote:
come to italyyyyy.
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Pukkkk wrote:
1001 would have been romantic! :D + pink floyd is ok, but this comment was quite dumb.
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KasparovDeepBlu wrote:
@jfsmac the original project had 100 songs in it. Stephen just couldn't write them all
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jfsmac wrote:
Not enough songs on 69 love songs. Should've been 100 love songs!
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nathan_nathan wrote:
I have a ticket for the 4/12 show at Cat's Cradle to sell. Can't go anymore :(. Please message me!
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Predelnik wrote:
Listening to their first 2 albums, i'm already fell in love with their style.
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KasparovDeepBlu wrote:
Pink Floyd suck. [2]
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Sentenzia22 wrote:
Tribute to Megaupload R.I.P: http://www.lastfm.es/group/We'll+miss+you%2C+Megaupload
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LiteraryBum wrote:
haha. 69 love has too many songs.... & Holiday is JUST an album.
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poitiers wrote:
OMG the video for andrew in drag AGAHSGSHAHGS http://pitchfork.com/news/45315-nsfw-video-magnetic-fields-andrew-in-drag/
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lyle_catcliffe wrote:
Pink Floyd suck.
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gregoryoftours wrote:
only a couple more months till new cd! cheers everyone!! :-)
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felghen wrote:
Andrew In Drag is okey but not great. Best album is Realism. Too many songs on 69.
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KasparovDeepBlu wrote:
v masterwork
Videos
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With Whom to Dance?
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Andrew In Drag
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Andrew In Drag
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You must be out of your mind
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Events
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Mar
23
The Magnetic Fields
Orpheum Theatre, Los Angeles CA, United States
41 going
3 shouts
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Mar
24
The Magnetic Fields
The Fox Theater, Oakland, San Francisco, United States
23 going
1 shout
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Mar
21
The Magnetic Fields
Roseland Theater, Portland OR, United States
10 going
1 shout
News
On sale: The Magnetic Fields at ATP March 10 & Royal Festival Hall April 25!
17 Nov 2011 | from houseoftomorrow.com/
Tickets are now on sale for The Magnetic Fields' March 10
appearance at the All Tomorrow's Parties festival curated by Jeff
Mangum. A follow-up show on April 25 will take place at London's
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A Motley Crew's "Science Fiction, Double Feature"
2 Nov 2011 | from houseoftomorrow.com/ -
"Holiday" Re-issue Out on Vinyl
26 Oct 2011 | from houseoftomorrow.com/ -
"Obscurities" Released Today
23 Aug 2011 | from houseoftomorrow.com/
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Recent Activity
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dozenoffour, joero1970, fermadrid1973 and 1 other person added The Magnetic Fields to their libraries. 2 hours ago
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Roymergu_Roy tagged The Magnetic Fields with ‘indie’. 5 hours ago
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Roymergu_Roy, iamthesudden, Jigwally and 12 other people added The Magnetic Fields to their libraries. 5 hours ago
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AliGuz connected The Magnetic Fields to the group The Musical Menagerie. Tuesday evening
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Brian71958, lawlessflogic, timea182 and 16 other people added The Magnetic Fields to their libraries. Tuesday evening
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chadbaker tagged The Magnetic Fields with boston rock, boston and rock. Monday evening
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niggacute, iheartpatla, stuckwithpinss and 50 other people added The Magnetic Fields to their libraries. Monday afternoon
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yookyook added The Magnetic Fields to the lineup of Mission Creek Festival 2012 at Various Venues. last week
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LukeHeighton, JSW363 and jinkyungita added The Magnetic Fields to their libraries. last week
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Dandy-Jon wrote about The Magnetic Fields – Distortion in Recent: Music.. last month
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