50 Song Memoir
by Magnetic Fields
  • Record Label: Nonesuch
  • Release Date: Mar 10, 2017
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 37 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 37
  3. Negative: 5 out of 37
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  1. ethday
    Mar 16, 2017
    10
    "You need a cold-blooded man to keep you warm"... Filled with a lyrical and musical wit that is as brilliant as it is effortless, 50 Song Memoir is surprisingly dense with great music. Full of surprises and plenty of fun (Danceteria sounds like a closing credits song from "Bob's Burgers"). But equally tender and insightful. Love it.
  2. Prosmooth
    Mar 10, 2017
    10
    As a box set--it's on par with the Beatles Stereo Box Set. As a work of art, it's even more of a smack in the head. Not since New Kids on the Block has band sounded so relevant, so pure, and so in the moment. 50 songs here (8 are covers of one song by Pantera that I wasn't familiar with--a peculiar choice but I liked all of them except the dub step version). The word "Masterpiece" getsAs a box set--it's on par with the Beatles Stereo Box Set. As a work of art, it's even more of a smack in the head. Not since New Kids on the Block has band sounded so relevant, so pure, and so in the moment. 50 songs here (8 are covers of one song by Pantera that I wasn't familiar with--a peculiar choice but I liked all of them except the dub step version). The word "Masterpiece" gets thrown around a lot on here, but that's exactly what Magnetic Fields has delivered. A stunner, folks.… Expand
  3. Ricko
    Jul 25, 2018
    8
    5 CD's long, this is the true successor to (and best work since) their "69 Love Songs" masterpiece. 50 tracks long, one for each year of songwriter Stephin Merritt's life so far. For those of you who were fans of "69 Love Songs", this will be right up your street. Obviously at over 2 and half hours long, like any 50 track albums, it isn't your casual listen and it is a bit of work to get5 CD's long, this is the true successor to (and best work since) their "69 Love Songs" masterpiece. 50 tracks long, one for each year of songwriter Stephin Merritt's life so far. For those of you who were fans of "69 Love Songs", this will be right up your street. Obviously at over 2 and half hours long, like any 50 track albums, it isn't your casual listen and it is a bit of work to get through. Maybe 5 percent of the album is over indulgence but that's what The Magnetic Fields have always been about, blending quirkiness/madness with genius. Spanning all types of styles but based on pop music I would class "50 Song Memoir" as essential listening but I do mean listening attentively. Your wasting your time giving it a casual spin as background music. A work of art in the truest sense.… Expand
  4. NeutralMilkH
    May 13, 2017
    10
    Note: This review could've been longer, but I'm not as good at writing long pieces of work like the Magnetic Fields are.

    Just like 69 Love Songs, Stephin Merritt has managed to craft yet another large piece of music over two hours long. Also like 69 Love Songs, this album manages to be charming at almost every turn. The song "No" alone makes me like it (simply because I'm an atheist.)    Note: This review could've been longer, but I'm not as good at writing long pieces of work like the Magnetic Fields are.

    Just like 69 Love Songs, Stephin Merritt has managed to craft yet another large piece of music over two hours long. Also like 69 Love Songs, this album manages to be charming at almost every turn. The song "No" alone makes me like it (simply because I'm an atheist.) The Magnetic Fields manages to travel through the life of Stephin Merritt without ever trying to make the whole thing seem like some big event. It's just a life, but it's a pretty interesting life (Something like that would probably have been the intended theme for this album.)

    Overall: 10/10    … Expand
  5. davidpirtle
    Oct 18, 2017
    9
    The most vital Magnetic Fields release since 69 Love Songs, Stephin Merritt's autobiographical five disc collection of tunes has him sounding as vibrant and clever a writer as ever, which is something of a surprise given that MF's last album, Love at the Bottom of the Sea, was a slight, if amusing disc. It just goes to show that Merritt and company are at their best when they're beingThe most vital Magnetic Fields release since 69 Love Songs, Stephin Merritt's autobiographical five disc collection of tunes has him sounding as vibrant and clever a writer as ever, which is something of a surprise given that MF's last album, Love at the Bottom of the Sea, was a slight, if amusing disc. It just goes to show that Merritt and company are at their best when they're being ambitious. I can't wait until he turns 100.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

25
#25 Best Album of 2017
68
#68 Most Shared Album of 2017

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
86

Universal acclaim - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. Pretty Much Amazing
    Jun 23, 2017
    83
    Two and a half hours is a hefty commitment, but if you take the time, you’ll have fun with this one.
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  2. PopMatters
    Jun 5, 2017
    60
    50 Song Memoir might not lift itself into the same orbit of greatness as its gargantuan twin, but it’s still a strong work from one of the most singular songwriters of the last 30 years.
    Read full review
  3. Drowned In Sound
    Mar 23, 2017
    90
    Merritt has lifted the curtain JUST enough to draw us that bit more into his world, while still maintaining both his brilliantly singular world-view and style AND enough distance for us to look on in abject admiration.
    Read full review
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