Even though The Magnetic Fields have been around for a good while, this is my first foray into their music. I remember downloading 69 Love Songs several years ago and it never really caught my attention, but the new album was getting so much attention that I couldn't really pass it up. When I first started the record I was pleased to find some cheery lo-fi pop in the form of Three-Way and California Girls, the later of which felt like true indie-rock anthem material. But when Old Fools began playing the fun was over and I got bored rather quickly, I pressed forth though, listening to the whole song, promising myself that I would only have to do this once. Although I didn't enjoy Old Fools one bit, I was reminded of a drearier Velvet Underground, something I will not soon forgive The Magnetic Fields for. Xavier Says really saved the day and brought the tone up again, but also mixing the gloomier tones of Old Fools with the brightness of the opening tracks, lending itself to an overall more pleasant experience as a whole. However, Mr. Mistletoe, the next track, is another disappointment trudging right along with Old Fools. Happily, the album perked back up and never disappointed me again. Tracks like Please Stop Dancing, Drive On, Driver, and Too Drunk to Dream are remarkably pleasing. As the album winds down I find myself once again being reminded of the Velvet Underground, but I'm much more happy about it this time around. I can't fault the album for two tracks at all, when the meat of the album was extremely pleasant, I would recommend this album whole-heartedly.
My Trusted MOGs
hmm I wish I had heard this a couple years ago when I was still drinking! nothing as crappy as hearing a good drinking song when you've quit drinking.