Stephin Merritt (The Magnetic Fields, The 6ths, Future Bible Heroes, Gothic Archies) once commented in an interview that he enjoys bubblegum music and experimental music, and very little in between. On this, his first release under his own name, away from his many musical alter egos, Merritt gets to explore both sides of his musical psyche, and the results are simply stunning. Merritt composed, arranged, performed, and recorded all of the material on Eban & Charley in his own studio. It was an opportunity to indulge both his love of lush, perfect pop songs ("Poppyland," "Maria Maria Maria," "Some Summer Day," "This Little Ukulele") as well as his more abstract tendencies ("Cricket Problem," "Drowned Sailors," "Titles," "Victorian Robotics"). Merritt even put together his own unique take on traditional standards - "O Tannenbaum" and "Greensleeves." Eban & Charley is a mesmerizing film, and Stephin Merritt has created an equally subtle and fascinating score, surely enhancing his stature as one of the most talented and respected composer/songwriters of his generation.