The MAGNETIC FIELDS @ Cat's Cradle April 11 and 12

The Magnetic Fields music is often labeled as indie pop or noise pop, but the songwriting of Stephen Merrit is the defining force behind every record released by the band since 1991. I  keep them filed under "indefinable".  On earlier records,  graceful strings swiftly replace electronic bleeps and cheap drum machine work at the touch of the seek button. 1995's Get Lost is a shining example of the bouncing back and forth of Leonard Cohenesque poetry to New Order channeling synth found throughout their cannon   But, what remains constant is the gender bending, heart wrenching lyrics and droll vocals of Stephen Merrit. Songs like "Papa was a Rodeo" and "I Thought You Were My Boyfriend" dutifully represent the style and forlorn beauty of Merrit's inner dialogue. 

Out in support of their latest album, Life at the Bottom of the Sea, two nights with The Magnetic Fields will hardly be enough time to  scratch the surface of their vast collection of songs, but I'll take what I can get.