The Magnetic Fields @ Town Hall: Yeah, Oh Yeah!

It was roughly four years ago that I first got the opportunity to witness The Magnetic Fields in the flesh. On that evening (also at Town Hall), the band focused on their 2004 opus, I, with no more than a handful of older tracks dispersed into the mix. The evening was glorious. Last night, the legendary act broke the 120-minute set into two parts (plus a brief but thrilling 3-song encore). The focal point was, ironically, not on their most recent album, Distortion. Instead, emphasis was placed upon performing their myriad classics (1994 to present), rarities, tracks from side projects & soundtrack favorites.

While the gig was truly sensational from start to finish (with Stephin as bitter and sarcastic as ever), it's worth noting a selection of highlights. Of which I have to draw attention to Stephin Merritt's gorgeous solo take on 69 Love Songs staple, 'The Book Of Love', which received the loudest cheers. Distortion's 'Too Drunk To Dream' and 'The Nun's Litany' (hilariously sung by Stephin, not Shirley or Claudia) were also crowd-pleasers. The sweetest treat was a piano-heavy take on Holiday's 'Take Ecstasy With Me'. Finally, the show-closing 'Grand Canyon' proved to be the perfect culminating number. The Magnetic Fields continue their Town Hall residency tonight, Saturday and Sunday. All engagements are sold out. Visit The Magnetic Fields at their official site.

MP3: The Magnetic Fields - The Nun's Litany [alt link]