Results 1 to 3 of 3
  1. #1
    Crackhead Extraordinaire Dusty Chalk's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    below the noise floor
    Posts
    3,636

    Stephen Merritt is the greatest lyricist ever...or is he?

    Been listening to The 6ths, Hyacinths and Thistles, and totally enjoying the lyrics.

    I know I'm not supposed to say I'm sorry,
    I know you've had more loves than Mata Hari
    ...

    With a slew of the oddest collection of guest vocalists -- from Gary Numan to Odetta, including Mark Almond, Bob Mould, Momus, and everyone from Sally Timms (Mekons) to Katharine Whalen (Squirrel Nut Zippers) to Miho Hatori (Cibo Matto) and Neil Hannon (Divine Comedy).

    It would be swell
    to see some folks burn in hell
    but when they go
    It's just as pleasant to know
    that the dead only quickly decay


    And yet, it still sounds like a Stephen Merritt (Magnetic Fields) record (every song can be described as "wistful", with emphasis on the lyrics). Sure, he did a good job in "channeling muses" -- I.E. writing for the intended singer (I can't imagine him singing any of these himself), and yet...I can still "hear" his "voice".

    Thunder sings a requiem
    Lightning is taking pictures of everything
    from every point of view
    Let's go outside and have our picture taken too


    The collaboration I had hoped for the most was the Momus one, because I actually hear similarities in their music, but since it's the first track on the album, I was a bit taken aback. Oh, well, time to track down the new Momus record (my other nomination for greatest lyricist ever...or perhaps Voltaire...I don't know...).

    Oh, and I must say, the last track drags on for way too effin' long.
    Last edited by Dusty Chalk; 09-13-2004 at 04:54 PM.
    Eschew fascism.
    Truth Will Out.
    Quote Originally Posted by stevef22
    you guys are crackheads.
    I remain,
    Peter aka Dusty Chalk

  2. #2
    Toon Robber tentoze's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2002
    Location
    North Florida Piney Woods
    Posts
    975
    Merritt is certainly an extremely gifted writer, one of my favorites. Having said that, the most recent Magnetic Fields release left me pretty cold. I think he hiccupped on that one, or fell asleep, but that's just my opinion.
    ----Never Off Topic, Never Rude-----

  3. #3
    Crackhead Extraordinaire Dusty Chalk's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    below the noise floor
    Posts
    3,636
    I actually really liked i. In some ways, more than 69 Love Songs. I found it more "accessible".
    Eschew fascism.
    Truth Will Out.
    Quote Originally Posted by stevef22
    you guys are crackheads.
    I remain,
    Peter aka Dusty Chalk

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •