Magnetic Fields/ Maxwells/ October 22, 1999

Touring to support highly regarded three-disc monument, 69 Love Songs, the Magnetic Fields’ nearly two-hour Maxwells set proved to be a true testament to the reasons why fans are so intensely devoted in their ardor for openly gay singer-songwriter-guitarist Stephin Merritt.

Singing broken down love trinkets in a deep baritone, an unkempt, casually dressed Merritt countered the sadness of most songs with sly wit and humor. His subtle confessions, shaded by thoughts of doubt, betrayal, and defiance, communicate love-stained affairs of the heart with chilling sentiments like “all the umbrellas in London couldn’t stop the rain.”

Oft-times lyrically sarcastic, Merritt’s sedate tearjerkers and cracked romantic visages conform to formal song structure, never resorting to extended solos or careless improvisations. At his most eccentric and oblique, comparisons could be made to the subdued chamber-pop of Tindersticks. When he’s sublime, some Velvet Underground affectations seep through. At times, he unloads brittle insecurities like a reclusive offspring of Jonathan Richman.

Hovering over the mike with either a cigarette or pinot grigio in hand, Merritt played the part of a confident cocktail lounge troubadour on several soft, spare reflections. Never overly sentimental or coy, he shared honest emotions through vivid imagery and wry observations. Cellist Sam Doval, percussionist Claudia Gonson, and guitarist/ banjoist/ mandolinist John Woo provided seemingly effortless support throughout.

Halfway through the set, the resilient quartet offered two British Isle-styled folk tunes: a hilarious, mandolin-accompanied beer drinking ditty sung ever so sweetly by Gonson, and a longing acoustic ballad. Sinewy bass resonated through the uplifting “L’ Amour,” which fully illuminated Merritt’s ability to see the sunny skies beyond the regret and desperation he so often evokes.

An enormous underground fan base has given the Magnetic Fields plenty of support. This night was no different. Many in the sold out crowd sang along softly, as they swayed slowly to the music in this smoke-filled back room club.