The first time I heard Magnetic Fields I immediately thought to myself “this is a little too gay for me.” But after a few listens, I really started liking this record. After a few more listens, I loved this record. Now I realize how vital this record is, I feel lucky to have discovered it.

The Magnetic Fields are lead by singer Stephin Merritt. Stephin writes dark, humorous and morose lyrics, with really great hooks. Morrissey might’ve been an influence? Stephin Merritt also has numerous other side projects such as Future Bible Heroes, Gothic Archies and The 6ths.

69 Love Songs is a three disc set of nothing but love songs. The songwriting is amazing. The songs are all over the board. It’d be really tough to put this in a genre. I usually hate love songs, but these are so cleverly written, you can’t help but like them.

69 Love Songs was released back in 1999 on Merge Records. Each disc contains 23 songs. My favorite disc is disc one, which contains such great songs as I Don’t Want to Get Over You, Book of Love, and Chicken with It’s Head Cut Off.

If you’ve never heard Magnetic Fields before, I’m not even sure how to describe them. Very low-fi and indie sounding. Stephin Merritt’s vocals are very low ala Jim Morrison, Leo Kottke or Crash Test Dummies. 69 Love Songs also features vocals by pianist Claudia Gonson, LD Beghtol, Dudley Klute, and Shirley Simms. The music is very sparse. But the songs are huge.

You’d think with a CD of 69 songs, there would be quite a bit of filler. That’s not the case with this disc, every song has it’s place on the album. Some songs are more outstanding than others.

The sadest thing is this ambitious three disc set is way better than 90% of the music played on the radio, but Magnetic Fields will never get any exposure. They’ll have to remain in the underground cult status.

Give Magnetic Fields - 69 Love Songs a chance. If you can’t find a few songs you like on a record with 69 songs, you need help.

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