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..."
Future Bible Heroes includes: Stephin Merritt, Claudia Gonson (vocals);
Christopher Ewen (various instruments).
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.