Distortion, the new record by the Magnetic Fields, finds Stephin Merritt's witty and literate pop gems wrapped in an array of screeching, fuzzy feedback, and it's wonderful—think Psychocandy with something to say. Tonight's Town Hall show will be a quieter affair, with the recorded distortion swapped for the string-heavy gorgeousness of the Magnetic Fields touring band, who'll be playing compositions from all chapters of the Stephin Merritt songbook, from The House of Tomorrow to Showtunes. (Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave, www.ticketmaster.com. 8 pm, $27.50, all ages.)