The Magnetic Fields, the best of singer-songwriter Stephin Merritt's many personalities, has been fairly quiet this decade. On Distortion, the latest release since 69 Love Songs, Merritt overhauls the acoustic sound with heavily distorted effects, creating a unique acoustic shoegaze sound that marks a departure from their previous efforts. The result is a remarkably refreshing addition to the worn out style of cynical, self-absorbed dialogue that Morrissey made famous during his stay with The Smiths.
Merritt puts a new spin on an old favorite in his version of "California Girls." Instead of praising the beauty and perfection of the girls under the sun, Merritt croons, "They breathe coke and they have affairs, I hate California girls." The hilarity ensues with another standout, "Too Drunk to Dream," in which Merritt proclaims, "Sober, life is a prison. Shitfaced, it is a blessing."
Distortion is a huge departure from the usually predictable Merritt, and the downplayed seriousness is a welcomed change that no listener can deny. The rest of the album continues to breathe brilliance both lyrically and musically, and the distortion perfectly backs the witty observations of one of indie rock's most prolific characters.
