Not quite a hootenanny

Magnetic Fields’ Stephen Merritt’s decision to record two polar opposite albums probably seemed like a good idea at the time. Despite that, the second album, “Realism,” falls short of the bar he set with partner “Distortion.”

Where “Distortion” sounded like Merritt’s pop-esque songs had been recorded in some kind of factory, “Realism” is clear and crisp, with sparkling strings and twinkling bells, a relief after the constant fuzz of the previous album.

Unfortunately, this set of songs never really manages to develop. “Three-Way,” a song from “Distortion,” consisted of shouting the title repeatedly over a surf guitar line; it was funny and light-hearted in a way that “We Are Having a Hootenanny,” which follows the same formula, fails to be.

Still, there are stand-outs, like “You Must Be Out of Your Mind” and “The Dada Polka.” All the songs are fine, but few have something below the surface.