THE MAGNETIC FIELDS Schallplatten & CDs

Review: It really isn't a clever name - The Magnetic Fields celebrate the beauty of brevity with 'Quickies', a collection of tracks that run to no more than two-and-a-half minutes, with the shortest clocking in at around 12 seconds. The question is, how much can you really do in such a small amount of time? Stephin Merritt et al more than prove the answer is 'quite a lot', if not 'loads'. With track titles like 'My Stupid Boyfriend' and '(I Want To Join A) Biker Gang' these efforts are nothing if not direct and to the point, but sat just behind all the immediacy and innocence is a depth and power stemming from allusion, suggestion and implication. Short, sweet, tender and evocative experimental pop rock of the highest caliber and most charming character you could ask for.