every sound sounds new again.
Today is the day that I present an Athens-sized Spotlight on a Titanic-based band. Wait. Strike that. Reverse it. The Elephant 6 collective began with Neutral Milk Hotel, The Olivia Tremor Control, and The Apples In Stereo, but at the forefront of it's second wave was Kevin Barnes, who not only drew from 60's pop (of the girl-group persuasion) but notably from more vaudevillian elements. Through the course of releasing nearly a dozen albums, Barnes' roster of band-mates has been ever-changing and at times elephantine. The acidicly sweet sugar pop has evolved as well, but has always been a vehicle for Barnes' uplifting lyrical and absurdist musical genius. The cast of characters, scenery, and story lines Barnes has created are not of this world. They are of a Wonkaesque Chocolate Room. Of a place where everything is sweet and tangible and occasionally dangerous. Of a dream so believable only until it's put into words. Of Montreal.
Of Montreal is a Wizard Of Oz-ian package deal. Barnes' music is extremely intelligent, but with an astonishing amount of sincerity and heart. He has the courage to take on hundreds of topics, feelings and stories and each album has a home-made feel courtesy of David Barnes' artwork and designs. Kevin takes risks with the melodies he sings, and doesn't hit each note effortlessly, but such is his charm. Whether the recordings are high or low quality, this charm is backed perfectly by eighties beats and synths, plunked piano, giddily strummed guitar, kazoo, choirs, and sincere pop worthy of the history books. While I came late in the Of Montreal discography, it's still my (and a collective shared) belief that The Gay Parade is the quintessential Of Montreal album. I've mentioned that it was the album that made me give Of Montreal more of my time than I had. And it's been a worthwhile investment.
As is now a recurring theme with Tuesday's Spotlight, most of the proceeding albums can be purchased from the kind people working at Polyvinyl.
Of Montreal's "Baby"
from Cherry Peel
Of Montreal's "I Felt Like Smashing My Head Through A Clear Glass Window"
from The Bird Who Continues To Eat The Rabbit's Flower
Of Montreal's "It's Easy To Sleep When You're Dead"
from The Bedside Drama: A Petite Tragedy
Of Montreal's "Old Familiar Way"
from The Gay Parade
Of Montreal's "The Problem With April"
from Horse & Elephant Eatery (No Elephants Allowed): The Singles & Songles Album
Of Montreal's "Dirty Dustin Hoffman Needs A Bath"
from The Early 4-Track Recordings
Of Montreal's "Penelope"
from Coquelicot Asleep In The Poppies: A Variety Of Whimsical Verse
Of Montreal's "An Ill-Treated Hiccup"
from If He Is Protecting Our Nation, Then Who Will Protect Big Oil, Our Children?
Of Montreal's "Jennifer Louise"
from Adhil's Arboretum
Of Montreal's "Lysergic Bliss"
& BONUS: "Know Your Onion"
from Satanic Panic In The Attic
Of Montreal's "Wraith Pinned To The Mist And Other Games"
& BONUS: "Everyday Feels Like Sunday"
from The Sunlandic Twins
Of Montreal is a Wizard Of Oz-ian package deal. Barnes' music is extremely intelligent, but with an astonishing amount of sincerity and heart. He has the courage to take on hundreds of topics, feelings and stories and each album has a home-made feel courtesy of David Barnes' artwork and designs. Kevin takes risks with the melodies he sings, and doesn't hit each note effortlessly, but such is his charm. Whether the recordings are high or low quality, this charm is backed perfectly by eighties beats and synths, plunked piano, giddily strummed guitar, kazoo, choirs, and sincere pop worthy of the history books. While I came late in the Of Montreal discography, it's still my (and a collective shared) belief that The Gay Parade is the quintessential Of Montreal album. I've mentioned that it was the album that made me give Of Montreal more of my time than I had. And it's been a worthwhile investment.
As is now a recurring theme with Tuesday's Spotlight, most of the proceeding albums can be purchased from the kind people working at Polyvinyl.
Of Montreal's "Baby"
from Cherry Peel
Of Montreal's "I Felt Like Smashing My Head Through A Clear Glass Window"
from The Bird Who Continues To Eat The Rabbit's Flower
Of Montreal's "It's Easy To Sleep When You're Dead"
from The Bedside Drama: A Petite Tragedy
Of Montreal's "Old Familiar Way"
from The Gay Parade
Of Montreal's "The Problem With April"
from Horse & Elephant Eatery (No Elephants Allowed): The Singles & Songles Album
Of Montreal's "Dirty Dustin Hoffman Needs A Bath"
from The Early 4-Track Recordings
Of Montreal's "Penelope"
from Coquelicot Asleep In The Poppies: A Variety Of Whimsical Verse
Of Montreal's "An Ill-Treated Hiccup"
from If He Is Protecting Our Nation, Then Who Will Protect Big Oil, Our Children?
Of Montreal's "Jennifer Louise"
from Adhil's Arboretum
Of Montreal's "Lysergic Bliss"
& BONUS: "Know Your Onion"
from Satanic Panic In The Attic
Of Montreal's "Wraith Pinned To The Mist And Other Games"
& BONUS: "Everyday Feels Like Sunday"
from The Sunlandic Twins
Listen Well posted this around 7:31 AM
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