Pieces of April

Typically, both film scores and soundtracks are used to guide a movie audience’s emotions through the film and help add dramatical flair to what may otherwise be a sub-par film. Some directors use soundtracks to bring in a target audience. Some use them to sell the image of both themselves and their film. Most often to the best effect, some optimistic filmmakers use them to show off their musical tastes and gain exposure for otherwise typically unknown artists. Such is the case with Stephin Merritt’s accompaniment to Peter Hedges’ Pieces of April. 

Merritt is a jack of many trades in the indie-rock world, fronting both The 6ths and primarily The Magnetic Fields, becoming one of music’s most promising producers and artists since his impressive 69 Love Songs was released. Now, with a world of music critics and fans waiting for his next move, what is a guy to do? Put together a soundtrack that serves as an introduction to his body of work? Sure, sounds smart, but can his off-the-wall songs pull their weight in the context of a film?

Comprised of five unreleased Magnetic Fields gems, three songs from 69 Love Songs, a solo track and two The 6ths songs, Pieces of April does exactly what it sets out to do: give the listener and viewer an introduction to one of rocks great weirdoes. But again, can Merritt’s songs work in the context of a film?

I just can’t put my finger on Merritt’s musical direction. His vocals however, are easy. Imagine a young Jonathan Richman doing David Bowie impersonations and you have it. Again, The Modern Lovers’ “I’m Straight” serves as a good comparison point for the subject and attitude of Merritt’s lyrical content. Singing songs with titles such as “I Think I Need a New Heart,” “Epitaph for My Heart,” and “Stray with Me,” Merritt sounds damaged yet at peace, selling himself as a love sick soul who cant avoid a $2 joke.

Still, the music is so hard to pin down. Merritt embodies the inventive spirit of artists like The The and Pere Ubu, with Joe Meek’s production idea’s crammed in the middle somewhere. Each song on April has a different production approach. Merritt doesn’t get too elaborate or fancy with his compositions, but rather chooses odd sounds and musical blends to obtain his unique style. Sticking to the three minute-or-less pop song structure, Merritt attempts to knock the listener out on each track, always delivering a whimsical, funny, and infectious song, crashed with jokes and heart.

The question remains, do Merritt’s works move film fans and push along storylines? Yes, perfectly. Very rarely can one artist supply a collection of songs so diverse, yet connected that have a theatrical presence. Pieces of April is a great soundtrack and a perfect introduction to the great Stephin Merritt. If you’re already a fan, April offers five previously unreleased Magnetic Fields songs.    7/10

Written by G. William Locke