69 Love Songs, Pt. 2

The Magnetic Fields

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 7, 1999)
• Original Release Date: September 7, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Merge Records
• ASIN: B00000JY75
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #124,663 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

1999 and first new material in four years by Stephin Merrit 's main band (his side projects include Future Bible Heroes, Gothic Archies and The 6ths). Disc two of a three CD set featuring more wonderful, yet cynically skewed, pop songs as only Merritt (and a midi) can do 'em! 23 tracks.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love Songs 24-46 are some of the best on the entire album, December 21, 1999

By	Kurt (New Brunswick, NJ) - See all my reviews

Stephin Merritt has yet again created another fantastic album. Volume 2 is highlighted by "When My Boy Walks Down the Street," "My Only Friend," "Epitaph for my Heart"...the list goes on. This is my favorite of all three volumes because it's the most consistently listenable. Volumes 1 and 2 have some dry patches which aren't as instantly accessible or interesting as most of the stuff on this album. I was lucky to catch TMF twice in the past couple months in the NYC area - first at the Knitting Factory for everything from "World Love" (#34?) through "Zebra" (#69)and then at Maxwells in Hoboken where they included older songs. They were great on each night but Stephin definetly needs to lighten up when he's performing! There's a good article about his personal history that was recently published in the Village Voice which any fan would find interesting.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars some fall in love -- i shatter, March 18, 2004

By	race_of_doom (USA) - See all my reviews

Although others here have said that it is impossible to like one volume of "69 Love Songs" over any other, I fear that it is. This is, currently, my favorite volume.

There are just too many good songs on here -- "Roses," "When My Boy Walks Down the Street," "Time Enough For Rocking When We're Old," "Very Funny," "Grand Canyon," etc, etc. And "Papa Was a Rodeo," "Epitaph for My Heart" and "Asleep and Dreaming" are some of Merritt's best compositions, lyrically and musically.

Sure, it sort of drags a little bit in the middle ("Washington, D.C." and "Kiss Me Like You Mean It" come to mind), but all three volumes have their share of somewhat mediocre songs.

It also has the best opening and closing tracks of the three volumes (although "Absolutely Cuckoo" is pretty amazing) -- "Roses" is a lovingly sung thirty second song that defies catagorization (there's no music, just a beautiful voice); and "I Shatter" also defies catagorization with it's Laurie Anderson-like vocals (anyone remember that oddity "O Superman"?).

Regardless, you should not just buy one or two volumes -- buy the box set. There are some songs ("Absolutely Cuckoo," "A Chicken with Its Head Cut Off," "Busby Berkeley Dreams," "The Death of Ferdinand de Saussure," and many, many more) that are not available on volume two. But, if you must buy one, I guess I'll be one of the few to say "pick volume 2."

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars merritt doesn't let up, March 18, 2004

By	pjenkins27 (tarzana, california) - See all my reviews

if you're considering buying vol.2 please don't be hindered by negative reviews found herein. if you like what you've heard on vol 1 and/or 3 make no mistake these songs have much to offer. although the styles are widely varied, merritt's fantastic melodies and clever lyrics still flow second to none one after the other. i feel blessed that this recording caught my attention because hours of blissful songwriting are to be had. of course the box set is the best bang for your buck but if you must buy only one or two, volume 2 has material which easily equalls that of the others. check out "(crazy for you) but not that crazy" and "when my boy walks down the street" to satisfy your indie/retro rock urges while the other tunes may encourage to investigate other music styles; merritt is a master of simple, catchy yet deep songwriting craft.