In comparison to their later work, this is rather musically inept and full of discordancies, but it is sublimely silly and the songs display a touching innocence that is absent from their later records - compare A Dreamy Day of Daydreaming of You to, say, St Exquisite's Confessions. That trippy and surreal feel is still here, though, and the songs are almost all catchy and charming. All in all, a joy to listen to; I prefer it to their more jaded later work regardless of what might be wrong with it.
Nearly every Of Montreal record has the little pink "Pick" label on it. For some reason, this album is in the overlooked minority. It is rather confusing considering that this is the finest collection of Kevin Barnes and Co's 60s psych-pop resurrection albums. This album has the best overall flow and the greatest number of pure hooks of any of their albums I have heard. The song "Hello From Inside a Shell" alone should garner this album a top pick status. Get it now, and you will never need to take psychoactive substances, as this reocord will make you feel as if you have. Enjoy.
Putatively a sort of fractured fairy tale, this album is actually no more of a concept album than the likes of the Small Faces' ODGEN'S NUT GONE FLAKE: it's a collection of very catchy and often extremely silly pop songs linked together by surreal recitations and odd instrumental interludes. Funny, tuneful and the most melodic thing they had done up to that time, this remains their most entertaining album so far.
Whether it's on account of creativity bursting at the seams, or just a desire to try something musically or lyrically different from their previous work, sometimes artists feel the need to step outside themselves and create an entirely new persona. The syndrome that's kept psychologists busy for years has manifested itself in concept albums, live performances or just the occasional one-off single.
Inspired by Nicki Minaj's sophomore album Roman Reloaded — where Minaj channels her rage… more »
OK! Are you guys ready to get bummed out? Because it's the week before Valentine's Day and, man, do we have some sad records for you. I mean, sad even for indie rock, which has sad basically branded into its DNA. So if you're ready to be heartbroken, let's get going.
Sharon Van Etten, Tramp: Basically, the only record you need today. A great leap forward from her previous, folky outings, Tramp finds Van Etten falling… more »
Whether cavorting around the stage in ballet tights or turning his psyche onto skewed, Technicolor pop songs, Of Montreal main man Kevin Barnes puts so much of himself on display that it almost seems impolite to look. For over 15 years he's commandeered his continuously mutating studio project and live band, while simultaneously exploring his own multiple personalities, sexualities and spiritualities.
Invigorating the psychedelic soul of 2008's Skeletal Lamping and 2010's False Priest with free jazz… more »
Whether your tastes skew toward classics by The Smiths and Wilco or current cutting edge tastemakers like Sleigh Bells and Neon Indian, you're sure to discover something you love on Indie Hits, Past & Present. more »
Right - the Prince stuff. Let's start there. "Our Riotous Defects," track two of False Priest, Kevin Barnes's 11th album either with or as Of Montreal, channels Prince in a way that's even more direct than usual. Over the last few Of Montreal albums, Barnes hasn't been shy about his desire to come as close as possible to that sound and standard while still remaining his weirdo, hyperkinetic, Athens, Georgia-bred indie-pop self. But he's seldom… more »
It used to be easier to pretend that an album was its own perfectly self-contained artifact. The great records certainly feel that way. But albums are more permeable than solid, their motivations, executions and inspirations informed by, and often stolen from, their peers and forbearers. It all sounds awfully formal, but it's not. It's the very nature of music — of art, even. The Six Degrees features examine the relationships between classic records and five… more »
Ronald Thomas Clontle is the author of Rock, Rot & Rule, a controversial music reference book that purports to be "the ultimate argument settler" when it comes to rating an artist's worth. In the book, the uncompromising Clontle ranks thousands of artists under the three headings listed in the book's title (rock = good, rot = bad, rule = great), based on various stringent criteria and extensive surveys. With the newly updated 2007 edition of… more »
Of Montreal’s major voice Kevin Barnes has unparalleled talent to write lyrics that double as relatable adult situations and children’s fable. This trend continues on Coquelicot Asleep in the Poppies. While there are come similarities to their previous efforts Bedside Drama and The Gay Parade, Coquelicot is more ambitious in its concept, arrangements, lyrics, and even artwork. As with other Of Montreal albums, this one works as a concept, but the songs also stand on their own, which is even more impressive. The songs are awash in melodies and harmony, a trademark of Of Montreal’s previous work as well as other Elephant 6 related bands. Barnes continues to write amazingly creative lyrics full of imagery, even including interludes of story on “Lecithin’s Tale of a DNA Experiment That Went Terribly Awry” and “The Events Leading Up to the Collapse of Detective Dullight.” “Let’s Do Everything for the First Time” is classic Of Montreal, while “Penelope” has a Syd Barrett feel to it. Strings are the main feature of mellow and beautiful “It’s a Very Starry Night,” and “It’s Just So” could have been lifted right off of Bedside Drama. The band also incorporates a wide variety of instruments such as cello and violin to accordion and theremin. Coquelicot builds perfectly upon The Gay Parade and shows the progression of a great band. – Tyson Bjorge
