Album: Future Bible Heroes

Few songwriters have the drive – to say nothing of the heedless flow of inspiration – exhibited by New York's Stephin Merritt. When not compiling the swathes of drollerie needed for Magnetic Fields projects like the monumental three-disc 69 Love Songs, Merritt has several other outlets for his prolific gifts: solo work such as this year's delightful soundtrack to Eban & Charley, and at least three other bands, namely the 6ths, the Gothic Archies, and perhaps most pop-conscious of all, the Future Bible Heroes. This follow-up to 1998's Memories Of Love finds co-vocalist Claudia Gonson promoted to full-time lead singer on a set of sweet and quirky, occasionally corny sci-fi love songs, punctuated by experimental, instrumental entr'actes. There's a cool, sardonic detachment to the disingenuous synth-pop arrangements of tracks like "Smash The Beauty Machine", "I'm A Vampire" and "Doris Daytheearthstoodstill" that recalls such other sly synthesists as Stereolab and Momus. In Merritt's hands, big issues like love and religion are treated slightly, while smaller concerns assume more grandiose form. An affectionate compendium of wry songs with no more weight than a Sixties sci-fi exploitation movie; though if Merritt neglects to take his tongue out of his cheek occasionally, he could be in danger of biting it off.