i
by Magnetic Fields
  • Record Label: Nonesuch
  • Release Date: May 4, 2004
User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 19 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 19
  3. Negative: 1 out of 19

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  1. OtterKinderhaus
    May 10, 2004
    9
    Damn...what an enjoyable album. Highly recommended for one and all.
  2. A.Cerny
    May 4, 2004
    8
    Good album overall. Oftentimes the syrup melodies remain hidden behind the massive backdrop of Merritt's ambitious arrangments, but on the whole, this is a very enjoyable album that fits well as a solemn coda to "69 Love Songs"
  3. EmiliaR
    May 5, 2004
    10
    Love it! Not the strongest ever (as a whole) but the stand-out songs are as good as Stephin has ever written.
  4. markf
    May 6, 2004
    8
    How could Stephin Merritt top The Magnetic Fields' magnum opus "69 Love Songs"? The answer is: he can't. But this is a worthy follow-up, full of his lyrics which walk a tightrope between heartbreak and sly wit. He has narrowed the band's musical focus to include mostly just cello, banjo, ukulele, piano and various percussion. In fact, the upbeat "I Don't Believe You" How could Stephin Merritt top The Magnetic Fields' magnum opus "69 Love Songs"? The answer is: he can't. But this is a worthy follow-up, full of his lyrics which walk a tightrope between heartbreak and sly wit. He has narrowed the band's musical focus to include mostly just cello, banjo, ukulele, piano and various percussion. In fact, the upbeat "I Don't Believe You" and "I Don't Really Love You Anymore" demonstrate just how poppy those combos of instruments can be. "I Thought You Were My Boyfriend" sounds like a dance club classic, even though it's almost impossible to believe that there's "no synths" as the liner notes claim. My favorite slower songs are the wittiest: "I Wish I Had an Evil Twin" and "In an Operetta." If you haven't heard Merrit's voice before, you may initially have problems, but I think he's definitely "improving" with age, but that doesn't matter to my wife and 13-year-old daughter; they both love eveything the guy does. … Expand
  5. JimmyBuffett
    May 6, 2004
    10
    The best album Jimmy Buffett's heard all year!
  6. jasont
    Nov 7, 2004
    9
    Wow. Any fan of 80's pop/rock in the mold of the smiths needs this and other Magnetic Fields recordings immediately.
  7. LawrenceP
    Jan 15, 2005
    8
    Yes "69 love songs" is better...but that was a modern day masterpiece.
  8. SaraL
    Jan 20, 2006
    10
    Dark, cheerful, and catchy..."I don't really love you anymore" is my favorite.
  9. alexf
    Jul 25, 2007
    9
    Another great album by Stephin Merritt.
  10. Shane
    May 29, 2004
    10
    2nd best CD of the year (to Franz Ferdinand.) Merritt's lyrics are just as powerful as ever, and the music is just as crisp.
  11. AlexA
    Jun 22, 2004
    9
    The album seems to be a dreary return to the days of 80's british rock, the album is quite catchy. You may find your self reciting the amazingly simple lyrics over and over in your head with out realizing it, but the complexity of the melodies is something that will intrigue the critic who is searching for something a little bit deeper.
  12. JohnA
    Feb 18, 2005
    8
    Do not be off-put by guarded and jaded Pitchfork reviews or those joyless imbeciles at Uncut. 69LS was untoppable, but Merrit's dewy sentimentalism, flinty cynicism and appetite for seduction remain unstoppable.
  13. Ricko
    Aug 27, 2019
    6
    I can appreciate I. Stephen Merrit must laugh with some satisfaction when he sees people talking about this record. Like many Magnetic Fields efforts, I is a decent, a sometimes good record but ultimately one that falls well short of true greatness. "I" is ambitious in its own way, 14 songs revolving around the letter/noun I is always going to be a challenge. Tracks like "I looked allI can appreciate I. Stephen Merrit must laugh with some satisfaction when he sees people talking about this record. Like many Magnetic Fields efforts, I is a decent, a sometimes good record but ultimately one that falls well short of true greatness. "I" is ambitious in its own way, 14 songs revolving around the letter/noun I is always going to be a challenge. Tracks like "I looked all over town", "I thought you were my boyfriend" and "I don't believe you" invoke the spirit of 99 Love Songs - quirky pop with a dollop of eccentric genius on top. Then you have stuff like "Is this what they used to call love".… Expand

Awards & Rankings

99
#99 Best Album of 2004

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. Blender
    80
    At times, i turns dangerously slow and arty.... But for the first time, [Merritt's] lethargic croak also emits a few degrees of human warmth. [May 2004, p.124]
  2. Alternative Press
    100
    Beautifully melodic, quietly clever and painfully smart. [Jul 2004, p.136]
  3. AllMusic
    70
    Merritt's kitchen produces pop confections that can rot teeth, but the bitter aftertaste owes more to Randy Newman than it does Belle & Sebastian.
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