Stephin Merritt

Kelly Hogan

"Nickelback? That's a terrible name for a restaurant," and 25 more quotes from 2012

Sometimes an individual passage can sum up an entire interview -- or can take on a life of its own that fits absolutely nowhere. In 2012, plenty of artists took the time to speak to Gimme Noise, and one of them was notably incensed that a place serving food that a person would ideally like to keep i ... More >>

Minnesota covers the Magnetic Fields' 69 Love Songs (Download)

There's a certain bond between music and a listener. We can all relate to it, but everyone has a different way of expressing it. For Matt Latterell and Chuck Terhark, that way of expression is through a massive cover album. Absolutely Cuckoo is a statewide ode to the quick-witted, New York band ... More >>

The Magnetic Fields at First Avenue, 11/13/12

The Magnetic Fields With Gal Musette First Avenue, Minneapolis November 13, 2012 Anyone who goes to a performance by the Magnetic Fields should be prepared to have their heart broken a time or two during the set. God knows that the band sure has experienced it over their distinguished 20-plus years ... More >>

The Magnetic Fields' Stephin Merritt on songwriting, the Spice Girls, and hating John Lennon's "Imagine"

The Magnetic Fields' frontman and songwriter Stephin Merritt can be best described as the Eeyore of indie pop. Perhaps it is his deep, baritone voice or melancholy, yet clever, lyrics that suggests there's a little raincloud following him constantly. In many interviews Merritt is notorious ... More >>

Bruce Springsteen, the Magnetic Fields, Big Boi, and more

The Magnetic Fields

Magnetic Fields documentary screening this week at the Cedar

​Unlike his heroes Doris Day, Ella Fitzgerald and Abba, who "wrote incredibly simple songs with extremely well worked arrangements giving every song an iconic quality you couldn't believe it hadn't been done before," Stephin Merritt has remained an enigma and somewhat still obscure genius of conte ... More >>

Jens Lekman

Simon Joyner: Beautiful Losers: Singles and Compilation Tracks 1994-1999, Jens Lekman: Oh You're So Silent Jens

Just For The Record...

Ten scientifically approved verdicts about the best albums of the year

The Anti-Rockist Protests Too Much

A modest proposal for a New York Times critic who should let pop eat itself

What We Talk About When We Say Nothing

A spirited non-conversation with Magnetic Fields' Stephin Merritt

Under Cover

The Hang Ups prove that you can judge an album by its artwork

Just The Two Of Me

On a new album, the Postal Service dream of their dreamier selves

Franklin Bruno: A Cat May Look At A Queen , Jenny Toomey: Tempting: Jenny Toomey Sings the Songs

Dub Taylor: Detect and Various Artists: Superlongevity

Sound Check

Interview with the Vampire

An encounter with the Magnetic Fields' Stephin Merritt, the surliest conversationalist in indie-rock

Sixty-Nine Ways to Lose Your Lover

The sprawling new triple-album by the Magnetic Fields is a many-splendored thing

The Year in Music 1995