• 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. Negative: 1 out of 28
  1. Here there are few bright spots and barely any prevailing concept to blame that fact on, leaving Realism as a bad album with nothing but the band behind it to blame.
User Score
7.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 12 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 12
  2. Negative: 2 out of 12
  1. 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. 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.