What Else Is There?

#5. The Magnetic Fields - The Machine In Your Hand (2:23)

How freaking genius are The Magnetic Fields? “The Machine In Your Hand” is both a love song (well, let’s face it, EVERY Magnetic Fields song is a love song) and a snarky comment on society’s increasingly pathetic dependence upon mobile devices and it manages it all in less than 3 minutes. Stephin Merritt and Shirley Simms join their voices together and it causes us to question exactly the point of view we’re listening to. Are they actually a phone that has a crush on a potential master? Or are they just a human that’s been spurned by an inattentive partner and because of this they begin to wish they were a phone? Either way, it’s pretty much perfect.

Best Moment: The low note Stephin and Shirley drop down together on for “glow”.

The Album [Love At The Bottom Of The Sea]: 8/10

..:: The Magnetic Fields - God Wants Us To Wait ::..

The Magnetic Fields have finally broken free from their self-imposed “no synths” album trilogy and the results are fan-fucking-tastic. Love At The Bottom Of The Sea is bursting with so many infectious and smarmy two minute songlets that picking a favorite has been an incredible challenge. “Your Girlfriend’s Face” is a bundle of scratchy percussion and unapologetic revenge; “Andrew In Drag” finds Stephin Merritt lamenting the loss of ‘the only girl he’ll ever love’ with a chorus that’s impossible to not sing along to; “Quick!”s plodding bass synths are a great vehicle for Shirley Simms final ultimatum; and “I Want To Be The Machine In Your Hand” is simply the best love song about a cell phone I’ve ever heard.

But after repeated listens of the whole shebang, I think “God Wants Us To Wait” has a slight edge on the rest. It’s here where Shirley attempts to explains to her lover at the last minute that while “it” would be the perfect end to their date, she isn’t ready to face any judgments from the higher power yet. Her grating monotone is accompanied by just the right amount of folding synths and that piercing screech never fails to send a ripple of goosebumps down my neck. It also doesn’t hurt that The Fields decided to drop this one on us right in the middle of the contraceptive debate. Topical satire AND an irresistible mosaic of synth? Oh Magnetic Fields. I’m not one for waiting, but in your case, I think it’s been worth it.