The Magnetic Fields: Distortion (Nonesuch)

Okay, this is wilful on the part of Magnetic Fields' mainman Stephin Merritt and myself.

On his part because here the wunderkind of US pop-rock saturates everything in feedback and distortion (hence the album title) -- and on my part because this album won't be easy to find in New Zealand (if you wanted to, that is).

But I include it here largely to point to the Essential Elsewhere album (see tag) by Magnetic Fields and also indicate just how smart/unconcerned Merritt is.

Merritt seems to genuinely make music for himself and although he can craft a beautiful melody, has a way with dry and wry and sometimes satirical lyric, he isn't going to pander to pop or rock radio. He just does what he does and you either get it -- or you don't.

My guess is only Jesus and Mary Chain people -- or those who liked the feedback album that came with Neil Young's Arc/Weld all those years ago -- will line up for this particular outing.

I doubt Merritt cares either way.

Because this isn't getting local release in New Zealand here's a YouTube clip of the album track California Girls, his poke at those beauties the Beach Boys celebrated in song.

Check this incarnation of MF music out -- but divert your very serious attention to 69 Love Songs. That's the real oil.