The Magnetic Fields

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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 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 , and .

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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Popular tags: indie, indie pop, lo-fi, indie rock, alternative  See more

Shouts: 1,403 shouts

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Top Tracks

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  • j_brodu

    unfortunately not...

    yesterday evening

  • YetAgainMael

    Has the album leaked yet?

    yesterday afternoon

  • pedrodim

    http://last.fm/music/The+Magnetic+Fields/+images/73033754 great pic. vote up!

    yesterday morning

  • LouisLloyd

    New album is best album of 2012 so far!

    Wednesday evening

  • RhyhornJynx

    Congregation, the first disc is the best disc. Everybody knows that.

    Wednesday evening

  • FoolmeThrice

    will forever love

    Wednesday afternoon

  • likeadaydreamer

    Seriously...I wish I was a man, so maybe, just maybe there could be a chance that Stephin would love me back. ;( </3

    Wednesday afternoon

  • Congregation

    Why do their top tracks take so heavily from 69 Love Songs Disc 1? Does no one have any stamina any more?

    Wednesday morning

  • lyle_catcliffe

    v The Nun's Litany for one.

    Saturday evening

  • ProfondoRosso17

    Completely agree about Distortion. Such an underrated album, so many great songs on there.

    last week

  • teddyspaghetti

    Distortion, one of my favorite albums by you everrr.

    last week

  • Dronea

    ;_;

    last week

  • Pukkkk

    v use your ears! ;)

    last week

  • LiteraryBum

    Dear Magnetic Fields...

    last week

  • PerfectLie

    "The Cole Porter of our generation," I dig it

    last week

  • gndtsucx

    I Don't Want to Get Over You ♥

    last week

  • TheMukeyMu

    love his deep voice

    last week

  • gregoryoftours

    New Cd Almost Out Everyone. Gonna be epic!

    last week

  • PopKaa

    you must be out of your mind is a hypnotic beast of a song. the droney vocals could drown me in their idyllic lustre

    last week

  • dubccc

    what the fuck is this valentines day shit?

    11 days ago
See all 1,403 shouts

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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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