Realism
by Magnetic Fields
  • Record Label: Nonesuch
  • Release Date: Jan 26, 2010
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 28
  3. Negative: 1 out of 28
  1. Pitchfork
    60
    Merritt's songs are as delicate and meticulous as porcelain miniatures. Unfortunately, Realism holds more tchotchkes than museum pieces.
  2. Tiny Mix Tapes
    60
    Ultimately, Realism neither impresses nor disappoints.
  3. Q Magazine
    60
    The acoustic-only, antique-sounding folks songs of Realism are superficially less abrasive than 2008's Distortion, but beneath they still articulate black-humoured romanticism. [Feb 2010, p. 111]
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  5. Alternative Press
    50
    Merritt's singularity just feels awkward, and Realism is another album in a catalog more concerned with quantity than quality.
  6. Dusted Magazine
    40
    His songs succeed when they balance on the knife-edge of banality and pathos, and when they succeed in making formula redeem itself and regain a kind of innocent power. For most of Realism, unfortunately, Merritt fails to even remotely strike this balance, abandoning any emotional power as he falls victim his penchant for formula and banality.
  7. Uncut
    40
    Realism is conceptually closer to "69 Love Songs" than anything he's done since, opting for a "variety folk" sound somewhere between Kurt Weill and Sufjan Stevens, but its ratio of heart-felt-to-hokey is out of whack. [Feb 2010, p.93]
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User Reviews

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User Score
7.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 12 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 12
  3. Negative: 2 out of 12
  1. Ricko
    Dec 4, 2014
    7
    I fell in love with and still am in love with 69 Love Songs. I have waited for Magnetic Fields to produce something akin to this album everI fell in love with and still am in love with 69 Love Songs. I have waited for Magnetic Fields to produce something akin to this album ever since. "Realism" doesn't attempt to replicate their magnum opus - its a completely different animal and herein lies what is good and what is bad about the record. While the band should be applauded for trying out some new ideas, they also fail to show the imagination or produce the magic of past glories. "Always Already Gone" is a great track but outside of that we are treated to a collection of decent, above average but never brilliant tracks. Will The Magnetic Fields ever reproduce the form of their early career again? If we're honest, its pretty unlikely however there is still material coming for the keen fans to enjoy.… Full Review »
  2. Time
    Aug 15, 2010
    6
    In light of everything else Merritt has ever made, this is forgettable. Neat idea, boring execution, nonexistent target demographic. TheIn light of everything else Merritt has ever made, this is forgettable. Neat idea, boring execution, nonexistent target demographic. The opening track is classic, but, in the context of the rest of the album, sounds like some lost 70th Love Song, failing to dovetail with the ensuing album's style.… Full Review »
  3. AlR.
    Jan 26, 2010
    10
    As good as a Distortion follow-up can get. Merritt writes like no one.
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