Realism

It hasn't been easy for Stephin Merritt since 69 Love Songs launched him, if not into stardom, then at least into a more visible rank of cult artists. In the ensuing decade, he's released halfhearted second albums by his side projects The 6ths and Future Bible Heroes (neither as good as those bands' debuts) and some vaguely-interesting-at-best forays into film soundtracks and musical theater. Even the two proper Magnetic Fields albums, I and Distortion, were lukewarm efforts hampered by not particularly interesting conceits. Although the almost entirely acoustic Realism is presented as a companion to the Psychocandy homage Distortion, in fact it's the first Magnetic Fields album since 1995's Get Lost that's a simple, stand-alone collection of songs devoid of an overarching lyrical or musical theme. Freed of self-imposed strictures, the songs range from classic Merritt sweet-and-sour love songs like "You Must Be Out of Your Mind" and "Always Already Gone" to playful goofs like "We Are Having A Hootenanny" and "The Dolls' Tea Party." Along with his sense of humor, Merritt seems to have regained his songwriting craft: every song features instantly memorable melodies and clever lyrics on par with those of his Tin Pan Alley heroes.