THE MAGNETIC FIELDS Realism (2010 US limited edition 13-track LP pressed on 140gram High Performance Vinyl - While 2008's 'Distortion' was recorded quickly and noisily in the stairwells and rooms of the New York City apartment buildingto which singer-songwriter-bandleader Stephen Merritt was about to bid adieu for California, 'Realism' was cut in the distortion-free environs of a Los Angeles studio, and its sound is as pristine as a plein-air painting. The picture sleeve retains its opened shrinkwrap and comes with its printed lyric insert while the vinyl looks barely played)