Accessibility links
The Magnetic Fields' 'Noise' from New York Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews the New York City rock group The Magnetic Fields' eighth album, Distortion. Front man and producer Stephin Merrit uses feedback between instruments to create distorted white noise — hence the album's title.

Review

Music Reviews

The Magnetic Fields' 'Noise' from New York

Heard on Fresh Air

Fresh Air

The Magnetic Fields' 'Noise' from New York

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18605227/18611729" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Distortion is The Magnetic Fields' eighth album. Nonesuch Records hide caption

toggle caption
Nonesuch Records

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews Distortion by New York City band The Magnetic Fields. Front man and producer Stephin Merritt uses feedback between electrified instruments to create distorted white noise — hence the album title.

Accompanying Merritt on the new album is cellist Sam Davol, pianist Claudia Gonson, guitarist John Woo and Daniel Handler on accordion.

Related NPR Stories