69 Love Songs, Pt. 1

Also available as part of 69 LOVE SONGS, a 3-CD box set on Merge (169).
The Magnetic Fields: Stephin Merritt (vocals, acoustic, electric, classical, & steel guitars, ukelele, mandolin, violin, penny whistle, recorder, melodica, acoustic & electric pianos, organ, keyboards, synthesizers, acoustic & electric percussion); Claudia Gonson (vocals, piano, drums, percussion); John Woo (guitar, banjo, mandolin); Sam Davol (cello, flute); Daniel Handler (accordion).
Additional personnel: LD Beghtol, Dudley Klute, Shirley Simms (vocals); Ida Pearle (violin).
Engineers include: Charles Newman, Chris Ewen, Claudia Gonson.
Personnel: Stephin Merritt (vocals, ukulele); Claudia Gonson (vocals, piano, drums, percussion); Shirley Simms, Dudley Klute, L.D. Beghtol (vocals); John Woo (guitar, banjo, mandolin); Ida Pearle (violin); Sam Davol (cello, flute); Daniel Handler (accordion).
Recording information: Mother West; Polar Mother; Polar Mother And Sonics; Polar West; Sonics.
Photographer: Claudia Gonson.
D.I.Y. indie pop is perhaps not the first place where one would look for a successor to Cole Porter and the Gershwins, but that's just one of the surprises of the Magnetic Fields. Singer/songwriter Stephin Merritt's lyrics are awash in odd similes, brilliant multilayered puns, and tricky internal rhymes, yet never fail to reveal genuine emotional content, whether ruefully cynical or wide-eyed and romantic. His tunes, influenced equally by pre-rock customs, ABBA, and post-punk experimentalism, are as unforgettable as his words, and the 23-song 69 LOVE SONGS, VOLUME ONE is a 56-minute tour de force, exhibiting Merritt's many talents at their finest. Ranging from the country-tinged "The One You Really Love" to the acapella Broadway homage "How Fucking Romantic" and touching on several other genres in the process, this album never ceases to amaze and delight. The CD is available as part of a three-CD box set or by itself.