Yep, that's a real horse.
This was the third time that I'd seen Of Montreal, and it's probably going to be my last, unless I see them outdoors in some sort of festival setting. I've always said that Of Montreal puts on a very theatrical show, and they're visually entertaining. Well, it turns out that if the theatrics aren't accompanied by an acceptable quality of music, you pretty much feel like you're watching some bad high school musical production. In the past, I haven't really paid close attention to the stage happenings because I was too busy rocking out, feeling the music and such. But, with the Skeletal Lamping weak spots, I found myself distracted by the antics. I was not amused. I wanted to hear more of Hissing Fauna and Sunlandic.
For me, the best part of the set was the encore. Along with one of the guys from MGMT (I think? He sure looked like it but I didn't catch Kevin's intro), Of Montreal performed a cover of "Smells Like Teen Spirit." The guys who were in front of me (who resembled MGMT) looked like they were going to die from the excitement. I guess it's not every day that you coincidentally see the person who you're trying to look like/channel/be. Of Montreal closed with my Hissing Fauna favorite, "Gronlandic Edit." What a great song! I wish Skeletal Lamping were more like this. Instead, I feel like the new album is very much like the live show. While explicit (and amusing) lyrics are used to grab attention in songs like "St. Exquisite's Confessions," and absurd props and animals (see the picture above) demand your eyes and ears. Gimmicky, no? Purely for shock value.
Sorry, y'all. I just don't love Skeletal Lamping. I'm even annoyed by some of the songs, especially "Gallery Piece." I still love Hissing Fauna, and it remains as one of my favorite albums of all time.
Skeletal Lamping is officially released on October 21. Check here for tour dates.
An Eluardian Instance - Of Montreal
For Our Elegant Caste - Of Montreal
Gronlandic Edit - Of Montreal
October 11, 2008
Of Montreal - Roseland Ballroom 10.10.08
November 23, 2007
Of Montreal
With seven PLUG award nominations, Of Montreal is tied with Battles (the only math rock band I've experienced) for most nods. I saw Of Montreal live for the first time at Pitchfork (Chicago) over the summer. BEST LIVE SHOW EVER. The performance had everything from costume changes, semi-nudity, props, to applesauce that was dyed blood red (which was passed around the crowd. It stained my bag horribly). I felt bad for the two little kids who were standing near me. They looked pretty traumatized when Kevin Barnes stripped down to leather undies and a leather lace-up bustier. I saw Of Montreal again in NYC at the Roseland Ballroom last month in October. I showed up to the venue about 15 minutes before doors open, thinking that I was early. WRONG, WRONG, WRONG. Since the show was not 21+ or even 18+, all these high schoolers showed up hours early. The line was more than a block long, and it took me over 30 minutes to get inside. I didn't realize it was so cool to like Of Montreal.
"Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?" is one of the best albums of the past year. Granted, it is also one of the most depressing albums ever written. However, it's amazing, especially considering that Kevin Barnes pretty much recorded the entire thing by himself (vocals, instrumentals, and all).
Also, apparently, Of Montreal is on some new T-Mobile commercial. "Gronlandic Edit" is featured at the end. The song has also been used recently by Girl Talk (Gregg Gillis) and Trey Told 'Em, Gregg Gillis' project with Frank Musarra.
Enjoy.
Gronlandic Edit - Of Montreal
Requiem for O.M.M.2 - Of Montreal
Bunny Ain't No Kind Of Rider - Of Montreal
