Future Bible Heroes I'm Lonely (And I Love It) CD

5 track EP from Stephin Merritt (Magnetic Fields, Gothic Archies, 6ths) and Christopher Ewen (Figures On A Beach) combining synth pop beats and loops with an 80's goth/alt feel. Tracks include the title track, 'My Blue Hawaii', 'Cafe Hong Kong', 'Good Thing I Don't Have Any Feelings' and 'Hopeless (Remix)'. Standard jewelcase.

Future Bible Heroes includes: Stephin Merritt, Claudia Gonson (vocals);
Christopher Ewen (various instruments).
Personnel: Stephin Merritt, Claudia Gonson (vocals).
Stephin Merritt of Magnetic Fields became a critical favorite in part because of his astonishing eclecticism. Future Bible Heroes, and certainly this five-song EP, seem to be an outlet for him to deeply indulge in one genre in particular, electronic dance rock. (The band is not just a front for Merritt, as Christopher Ewen adds the synth beats and Magnetic Fields' Claudia Gonson shares vocals with Merritt.) This is much more melodic and poppy than most dance fodder sharing similar beats; one is tempted to be arch and postulate that there's too much of a tune (and too much thought and irreverence behind the lyrics) for the taste of many beat-driven club goers. If you don't like dance rock and do like Merritt's other projects, this probably won't change your mind about the style as a whole, but you probably will like this much more than most dance rock. If you're a dance rock fan, here's some wit that you can hum along to, as in the exotica ode "My Blue Hawaii," or the blithe title track, which is like a subtly cheerier Ian Curtis. And it's nice to have a wispy female singer (Gonson) taking the lead vocals on some tracks, to contrast with the deep-toned male drone (Merritt's) that's found in so much dance rock. ~ Richie Unterberger
After the amazing "69 Love Songs," it's pretty safe to refer to Stephin Merritt as a genius. His skill and craftsmanship in service to the popular song puts him in the league of the great pop writers of the 20th Century. His lyrical wit can be funny, cutting, and heartbreaking simultaneously. It's never clever for the sake of being clever; it's always used to convey emotion.
Merritt's various projects are cut from the same cloth. The technical difference with Future Bible Heroes is that Chris Ewen writes the music and Stephin writes the lyrics. Otherwise, this sounds like what The Magnetic Fields have done, and it's just as brilliant. And depending on what part of the roller coaster of romance you happen to be on, you can either sing or cry along to it.

Rolling Stone (9/14/00, p.174) - 3.5 stars out of 5 - "...An antidote to 69 LOVE SONG's lovesickness....stringing together a slender set of humorously coldhearted would-be club hits that celebrate hopelessness, freedom from tedious human relationships and numbness to heartbreak..."
Alternative Press (10/00, p.92) - 3 out of 5 - "...Techno-pop....most of the retro, keyboard-driven songs are reminiscent of work that Stephen Merrit's done in the past (e.g.- the Magnetic Fields)..."
CMJ (7/24/00, p.22) - "...Dolorous, danceable electro-orchestrations....sparkling synths embrace the '80s spirit of modern romance..."