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3 Songs: “Magnetic Fields Fangirl” Edition

I once tweeted that if I didn’t have CanCon restrictions, my radio shows would likely just be 90 minutes of Magnetic Fields. The Boston synthpop band has been putting out music for as long as I’ve been alive—Jesus—and for every “meh” song there’s at least two absolutely brilliant ones. I love so much of what they do that this should only be considered a “3 songs I love out of several dozen of their best” list, and you probably shouldn’t be surprised if you see an album-by-album breakdown somewhere down the line.

Busby Berkley Dreams

So The Magnetic Fields’ Stephen Merritt set out to write 69 love songs, and that’s exactly what he did. The resulting mega-album wavers across genres, from Johnny Cash-style grumblings to delicate piano ballads, so it’s virtually guaranteed that you’ll hate some of them and fall in love with others. Of my select favourites, Busby is probably the one that’s the most meaningful on a personal level. I love the story it tells—“We still dance on whirling stages / in my Busby Berkley dreams”–and the dissonance between the soft sadness of the song itself and its flashy, upbeat subject matter. When I discovered this song, I was having incredibly vivid dreams about a recent ex-boyfriend—a side effect of new medication—and it was distressing to have my brain conjure him up just as he’d been before our breakup, but also weirdly comforting. It’s that push-pull that happens when a person has hurt you very deeply, but you still miss having them in your life, even though logically you know they’re not good for you. This song captures that.

California Girls

This was the first Magnetic Fields song I ever heard, and it’s still a standout. I love the distorted instruments and the Dandy-Warhol-esque vocals, as well as the messy fuzziness that calls to mind Wave of Mutilation; basically this song is the epitome of delicious noisy neo-psychedelia. The lyrics are hidden beneath the distortion, but once you discern what they are you’ll find yourself giggling at just how vicious they are. Plus, this track can be played after the Katy Perry song of the same name to prove its entire thesis—the shallowness of a certain brand of Los Angeles-based lady—which makes me chuckle.

God Wants Us to Wait

This spot nearly went to “Quick!”, but I’ve already addressed the Magnetic Fields’ talent for aching breakup songs above, so instead I’m choosing to feature another song from the same album—2012’s Love at the Bottom of the Sea—because it’s got extraordinarily clever lyrics and an undeniably sexy tune full of carnivalesque motifs. As the album opener it does a great job of setting the tone for the rest of the songs to follow, as well as introducing the band’s new trajectory following the completion of their “No-Synth” trilogy. Plus, coming from a band that’s written 69+ songs about love and sex, it’s pretty clear that they’re taking the piss out of religious-based abstinence here, and it works so well that I can’t help but hit the repeat button.

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3 Songs: “The Standout” Edition

Our relationship with music is really interesting. We respond to individual songs on an almost visceral level, but songs are rarely consumed in a vacuum; they’re grouped together on albums by an artist who’s showing off his or her (or their) specific skills. They have a musical style that you’ll either like or dislike. Normally, when you hear one song you thoroughly enjoy, you’re guaranteed to like at least some of the artist’s other works; after all, there are sure to be elements in common between the song that got your attention and the rest of the catalogue.

But sometimes you only like one song from an artist, and the rest of their work doesn’t appeal to you. You may even wish you liked the artist more than you do, but other than the one stand-out single you’re just not into it. These three songs are all those stand-outs for me; I love them, but am indifferent to the rest of the musician’s works.

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Track List – March 22

And now, we return to our regularly scheduled (HA!) programming. I’ve had a long-ish week, full of job searches and fundraising and other stuff, so I gathered a bunch of really chill, relaxing tracks to play for you guys. Track list after the jump!

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Announcing: 3 Songs Series

So this space has been used mostly for my track lists so far, because despite being a professional blogger for two years I’m kinda atrocious at maintaining my own projects. But all that’s about to change, because I’ve been toiling around behind the scenes for a few weeks preparing a new series that will come out every Tuesday and Thursday. Rather than trying to review whole albums, which can take a long time (and which I do over at Media Snobs anyway), this series will focus on a simple idea that will carry the spirit of Particles and Waves through the rest of the week–the idea of discovering new things you didn’t know existed, and putting things together that are a little off the beaten track. Every post will be about three songs–no more, no less–interconnected by a rough theme; I’ll review them each and link to a Youtube video or Soundcloud file so that you can listen to them too. I have artist and album focuses, but I also have groupings that are more esoteric in nature.

The rules are just as simple as that. Three songs, briefly reviewed, and no repeats; if I’ve reviewed something for one post it can’t go into another, even if it may fit. People may not have time to listen to an entire new album, but three songs aren’t a big deal, I figure.

So I’m going to kick off the series on Tuesday with an exploration of three songs that are the only thing I love by their respective artists. Watch this space, and let me know what you think here or on Twitter using the #PW3songs hashtag.

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Track List – March 15th

First of all, THANK YOU. Thank you to each and every person who donated and showed their support this week!! Fundrive is well underway and I’m thrilled that you guys pitched in as much as you did. Next week we’re back to our regularly scheduled eccentricities.

Track list for Saturday’s show after the jump!

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CFUV Fundrive is Coming

FUNDRIVE DAY UPDATE!

Fantabulous listeners! Thanks to all who donated ahead of time. Today’s show will be a little different, with a lot of discussion on why Fundrive is important and the great stuff you can win if you donate. You can call in during the show (you may even get me on the line!), or any time during Fundrive this week, to donate on behalf of Particles and Waves.

Everyone who donated already, or donates during today’s show will be thanked on air, and local donors have a chance to grab some sweet prizes. Thank you to EVERYONE, whether you’re just an occasional listener or a regular fan; it’s an absolute honor to know there’s someone listening.   -Mia

Hey, listeners. Let’s chat for a second.

Sure, Mia. What’s up?
For about five months now, I’ve been able to hang around each Saturday, play new and wonderful music, and interview some of the insanely talented people who make that music. I have come out of the studio each week with a big smile on my face, almost without exception, because doing radio makes me stupidly happy. And every time someone says hi on Twitter or calls in to the studio during the broadcast, I get Sally-Field-level giddy that people are actually listening. I’ve been able to play the original Star Wars soundtrack on vinyl and share songs from little-known artists who deserve all the airplay I can give.

I get to do all of this without restrictions and with minimal advertising because CFUV is a non-profit station, funded through student fees, government grants, and generous donations from our listeners. And each year in March we hold a fundraising week, called Fundrive, with the aim to raise money to go towards equipment purchases and upgrades that enable us to keep bringing you a better listening experience. Fundrive 2014 is happening in two weeks, from March 14th to 21st, and every show has a minimum donation amount to meet in order to raise our overall $25,000 goal.

Okay. What’s this got to do with me?
Particles and Waves has been tasked with raising $230 for Fundrive this year, and pre-pledges are now being accepted. You can donate as much or as little as you’d like, BUT donations of $25 or more entitle the donor to either a tax receipt or one of the many amazing gifts in the CFUV prize room! The station will have CDs, vinyl albums, T-shirts, posters, gift certificates to local restaurants, and a whole lot more. Plus, you get to help fund another year of Particles and Waves, with tons more musical guests and amazing track lists for as long as I can talk into a microphone.

…I’m poor. I can’t afford to donate $25.
I am too, reader. And honestly, even $5 or $10 will help–the price of just a few songs on iTunes, or a couple of lattes at Starbucks. So I’m going to sweeten the pig a little (Desertbus joke!): listeners who pre-pledge $10-$15 to my show–that is, donate before March 16th–will receive a customized mix CD from me. More money=more songs on the mix! If you live far away, I will mail it to you. Once you’ve donated, let me know and we’ll chat about the type of songs you like, or whether you just want me to surprise you, and I’ll make you an exclusive mix of stuff which includes songs that have never been played on Particles and Waves. And if you want to donate more and grab a gift (sadly only for Victoria locals), you can totally do that too!

Sounds intriguing. How do I donate?
It is SUPER easy to donate to Fundrive! Just go to the donate page on CFUV’s official site, click the link, and donate using UVic’s secure server. Leave the “Designation” section as “CFUV Fundrive” and–this is important–specify that you’re donating for Particles and Waves in the comments section. Once you’ve done that, get in contact with me either on twitter @MiaSteinberg or by emailing me at mia.steinberg22 [at] gmail [dot] com, to let me know that you’ve donated and potentially discuss getting a custom mix CD!

Thank you, in advance, for whatever you’re able to donate. If you’ve felt like you’ve discovered even one artist thanks to my show, consider throwing in a few bucks; it keeps the computers running and the microphones sounding sharp.

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Track List – March 1

I had West My Friend on the show today and HOLY CRAPBALLS Y’ALL. These are some seriously talented people. They were kind enough to offer two extra tickets to their album release party this upcoming Thursday the 6th. So here’s the deal: the first non-spambot to comment on this track list will get the tickets, if you live in Victoria. Or, alternatively, if you don’t live in Victoria but are willing to travel on your own expense.
So here’s what I played!