The Magnetic Fields

The mastermind of the Magnetic Fields is Stephin Merritt, an urbane songwriter with a scathing wit, equally influenced by the Pet Shop Boys and Stephen Sondheim. Since 1991, Merritt has married sophisticated wordplay with elegant melodies and (particularly on his earlier releases) electro-pop arrangements. Ever the dissolute romantic, Merritt pens world-weary songs of romance gone awry. Sometimes he sings them himself, in his dry-martini voice, sometimes he employs the brighter tones of Claudia Gonson. Merritt has also invented other guises to present his songs, such as the 6ths and Future Bible Heroes, further utilizing guest vocalists.

• 1990s
• 2000s