MUSIC SCENE
The Magnetic Fields
MUSIC REVIEWED BY BOB JONES

Distortion - Nonesuch Records

The ever clever Stephen Merritt will always have the shadow of his 1999 critically acclaimed epic threedisc set 69 Love Songs hanging over his shoulder, a very high standard to live up to. But Distortion is a record that should please fans and critics alike. "California Girls" is his answer to Brian Wilson's song of the same name, with the unabashedly homosexual Merritt ticking off reasons why he hates California girls. In fact the aptly named Distortion, due to the recording quality and cynicism, seems to be retaliation from the love songs (of which there were 69 of) from the box set. The theme from this record seems to be a repudiation of love. There are songs like "I'll Dream Alone" and "Drive on Driver." Although we in Southwest Florida are, for the most part, inoculated from the harshness of winter, this is a very much a cold record aptly released in the harsh month of January. All that being said, Merritt's sense of humor keeps Distortion from being a complete downer of a record. Daniel Handler aka Lemony Snicket is a part-time Magnetic Fields band member, and like his dark children's books there is a sense of humor in Distortion that keeps it from being just a record to sulk to.

Bob Jones is founder of Silver Platter CDs EST1998 in Fort Myers. For info or to suggest music, email recordreviews@comcast.net