Distortion is the eighth studio album by American indie pop band The Magnetic Fields. It was released on January 15, 2008 on Nonesuch Records.
Recording
As the album's title implies, several of the musical performances featured are distorted by various means. In particular, the album's sound was influenced by the 1985 album Psychocandy by The Jesus and Mary Chain.
Distortion was recorded at Mother West in New York City. It was produced by Stephin Merritt and co-produced by Charles Newman.
No synthesizers were used to record the album; it is the second in a "no-synth trilogy", succeeding the 2004 album i and preceding 2010's Realism.
Release
Distortion debuted at number 77 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart, selling about 8,000 copies in its first week.
Reception
Distortion has been well received by critics. It currently holds a 79/100 rating at review aggregator website Metacritic.
Track listing
Personnel
The Magnetic Fields
Stephin Merritt – vocals, instrumentation, production, mixing
Claudia Gonson – drums, piano, Farfisa organ, backing vocals, management
Sam Davol – cello
John Woo – lead guitar
Shirley Simms – vocals
Additional personnel
Daniel Handler – accordion
A. Klasinski, I. Pearle, R. Stevens – "orgiasts"