“Stephin Merritt revisits his past and overcomes his sense of irony on a bravura five-disc set”
“Obvious though it may be, it’s impossible to avoid comparing ‘50 Song Memoir’ to The Magnetic Fields’ previous multi-disc opus ‘69 Love Songs’. Yet, both albums’ blunt titles barely scratch the surface at just how wide Stephin Merritt’s scope is as a writer when faced with a single subject. The notoriously cagey Merritt tackles his life with trademark wit here, but also uncharacteristic candour, ”
“On this 5-disc musical memoir, Stephin Merritt has penned a song for each of the first 50 years of his life. His writing suggests that our deepest wisdom can be located in our most personal thoughts.”
“While not a full commitment to its titular concept, 50 Song Memoir is The Magnetic Fields' most charming and ambitious album in over a decade.”
