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List Price: $10.98 | | Label: Nonesuch
Salesrank: 40908
Released: November 4, 2003 |
| Our Price: $6.62 |
| Used Price: $3.25 |
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| Media: Audio CD |
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Pieces of April Track Listing:
1. All I Want To Know
2. As You Turn To Go - The 6ths
3. Dreams Anymore
4. Epitaph For My Heart
5. Heather Heather
6. I Think I Need A New Heart
7. One April Day - Stephin Merritt
8. Stray With Me
9. The Luckiest Guy On The Lower East Side
10. You You You You You - The 6ths
Editorial Review:
For his second foray into movie soundtracks (2001's sublime score for Eban & Charley was the first), underground pop impresario Stephin Merritt supplies a succinct set boasting equal appeal to longtime fans and newcomers. The latter should appreciate the inclusion of material from the best-known of Merritt's multiple bands, including three numbers plucked off the Magnetic Fields' critically lauded 69 Love Songs, and two from the 6ths' Hyacinths and Thistles, featuring guest warbling by Momus and Squirrel Nut Zippers' Katherine Whalen. The big draw for devotees is five new selections: "All I Want to Know" is enlivened by sitar licks, while clip-clop rhythms impart the bittersweet "Dreams Anymore" with a hint of classic country kitsch. Merritt's lyrics remain as sharp and funny ("We belong together/Like sex and violence," he croons on "Heather Heather"), but it's the ever-inventive arrangements--like the offbeat blend of ukulele and harmonium on "One April Day"--that make these gems especially memorable. --Kurt B. Reighley
Pieces of April Reviews:
Charming soundtrack to a charming film 
2005-09-17 - ...And absolutely, as everyone else is saying, a terrific introduction to Stephin Merritt's music. That he hasn't gotten more airplay (at least within the U.S.) and more attention is a testament to the homogenization of corporate American radio because Merritt is a tremendous songwriter whose lyrics can range from exuberance to sorrow--often within the same song! Gorgeous little trifles like One April Day, I Think I Need a New Heart, The Luckiest Guy on the Lower East Side, and both songs by The 6ths will grown on you, stick in your head, and, sometimes, even change your mood when you most need it.
I'm delighted I bought this album. I've already bought a second by The Magnetic Fields (I), and plan to buy them all.
What a wondrous world that has a songwriter like this in it!
A wondeful introduction....
2004-05-12 - Wow, I bought Pieces of April on DVD and unusually for me let the film play thru the credits. I was rewarded with the song 'You You You You You' by the 6ths. With the net so good for researching the track/artist I was surprised to find this CD as I hadn't noticed much music during the film and indeed I was right as there are a few 'added extras' on the disc. The CD is an absolutely wonderful introduction to the music of Merritt anf the two groups - The 6ths and Magnetic Fields. I for one will certainly be investing in further Cds by these.........I hope to spread the word a little more over here in the UK.
Totally worth it
2004-01-27 - At first I didn't think there was enough new material on this soundtrack to make it worthwhile, but the four previously unreleased songs are so completley wonderful, especially "All I want to know" and "Heather". This is an essential for any Stephin Merritt fan.
Underrated 
2004-01-13 - Perhaps the most underrated soundtrack of 2003. Before hearing this I was only somewhat familiar with the music of Stephin Merritt and the Magnetic Fields, but while viewing "Pieces of April" at the movie theatre last November, I was instantly taken with this beautiful soundtrack and its striking relevance to the scenes in the film. Songs like "One April Day" by Stephin Merritt (written specifically for the film) speak for themselves: pure musical integrity with minimal instrumentation and arrangements that are in perfect harmony with the film. My other personal favorite is "Heather Heather" by the Magnetic Fields for its dark, desperate lyrics and eerie sound. The quality of the music & songwriting in this soundtrack is immediately recognizable (and, after hearing this, I now plan to familiarize myself with all of his music). Fan or not, don't take my word for it, check this one out.
pieces of merrit
2004-01-10 - My only problem with this release is that it is too short, only 27 minutes long. Way to short for us fans who have waited for a follow up to "69lovesongs." But that's a small complaint.
This CD is an excellent sample of some of "The Magnetic Fields," "the 6ths" past CD's. Also includes here are some new songs that are very good. These songs again are about love, being in it, falling out of it, longing for it. They follow in Stephin's writting tradition and classic manner. Only wetting my taste for a TRUE follow up to "69lovesongs."
I have followed Stephin for many years and he hasn't let me down yet. If you have a taste for great song writing, off beat musical arrangements then this is for you. If your into formulaic top 40 music then by all means pass this by.
