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

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  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 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 showI 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.… Expand
  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. 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.
  3. AlR.
    Jan 26, 2010
    10
    As good as a Distortion follow-up can get. Merritt writes like no one.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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. BBC Music
    70
    Merritt’s songs are, as ever, as lugubrious yet playful as his voice.
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  2. Drowned In Sound
    80
    Who knows what's real and what's not, but The Magnetic Fields write Great Pop songs, and this means a lot.
    Read full review
  3. musicOMH.com
    80
    Realism showcases how effective it can be when it is allied to a dry sense of humour, a flair for melody and an ability to engage with more than a narcissistic world view.
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