Showtunes
by Stephin Merritt
  • Record Label: Nonesuch
  • Release Date: Mar 14, 2006
User Score
6.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 9 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 9
  3. Negative: 2 out of 9

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  1. matta
    Mar 17, 2006
    7
    There are some beautiful moments, but, as Pitchfork pointed out, the way Merritt chose to release the songs feels wrong. Using just a few traditional Chinese instruments for the musical makes sense, but for this record it feels like something is lacking. Obviously, this is how Merritt wanted it to be, but I just can't help but wonder if he would have fused the style on the record There are some beautiful moments, but, as Pitchfork pointed out, the way Merritt chose to release the songs feels wrong. Using just a few traditional Chinese instruments for the musical makes sense, but for this record it feels like something is lacking. Obviously, this is how Merritt wanted it to be, but I just can't help but wonder if he would have fused the style on the record with magnetic fields. That right there would have raised it to a nine in my opinion.… Expand
  2. jeffb
    Apr 1, 2006
    9
    These songs are MUCH better when integrated within their whole mini operas. iTunes has all three of them. Strange but beautiful stuff. Lots for the Merritt/Fields fan to grab to.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
69

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. The Guardian
    40
    Merritt is a witty writer but, particularly after the frequently magnificent 69 Love Songs, that wit is becoming over-familiar.
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  2. Entertainment Weekly
    75
    DVD visuals would help, but it still beats Andrew Lloyd Webber. [17 Mar 2006, p.114]
  3. musicOMH.com
    80
    Each of these tracks - the duelling-banjo Train Song; the elegiac And He Would Say - is really perfectly formed, beautifully satisfying in structure alone.
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