The Thousands

Naming a documentary about The Magnetic Fields would be almost more of a task than filming it. From a prodigious band that’s been pouring out gems since 1989, the list of perfect lyrics and titles to cherrypick from is daunting, each one glorious and cutting. Much like the band’s songwriter and central nervous system, Stephin Merritt.

Known to fans as reclusive, and to journalists as irascible, he’s a quiet riddle wrapped in a dry baritone. The idea of a small camera crew following him around on and off for years as he talks about gay bars, pickle sandwiches and his hippy mom feels like something of a small victory. All the more so that the co-director is Gail O’Hara, editor of 90s indie pop bible Chickfactor. Thanks be, then, to the folks at Popfrenzy Records who have used their nerdish fan power for good, to screen this revealing little documentary as a one-off event.

As for the film’s title, have you ever heard anything more romantic than "…there are more stars than there are prostitutes in Thailand… strange powers?" I thought not.