Stephin Merritt Eban & Charley Soundtrack CD

On the soundtrack to the film EBAN & CHARLEY, Stephin Merritt graduates from accomplished songwriter and frontman (of the iconic Magnetic Fields) to bona fide composer. The disc also marks Merritt's first truly solo outing, and a rather daring first effort at that, given that the film covers the rather taboo subject of an affair between a 29-year-old man and a 15-year-old boy. However, Merritt's trademark deep, brooding voice complements the melancholy subject matter perfectly. The pop songsmith also flexes considerable musical muscle by composing the entire soundtrack himself in his own studio, resulting in both abstract instrumental sketches and lush, fully fleshed-out pop songs.

Stephin Merritt is the man behind Magnetic Fields, Future Bible Heroes, The 6ths & Gothic Archies. Ebay & Charley is the soundtrack to the feature length debut of writer/director James Boltond. Packaged in a Digipak. Merge Records.

Recording information: Mother West.Rolling Stone (2/28/02, p.63) - 3.5 stars out of 5- "...The combination of quietly gorgeous pop songs and noise bites struggling to become quietly gorgeous pop songs makes fro bewitching Sunday-morning listening..."
Entertainment Weekly (2/01/02, p.107) - "...His forst soundtrack, and it's a lovely one. Diverse, too....Can't vouch for the film, but the music is okeydoke." - Rating: A-
Q (4/02, pp.117,119) - 4 out of 5 stars - "...A superb piece of work..."
NME (Magazine) (3/16/02, p.29) - 8 out of 10 - "...Essential for Merritt fans..."