via Music for Moodies' flickr photostream
I did say that I would stop seeing Of Montreal indoors after the Roseland Ballroom show last fall. But, when I saw that they were putting a series of smaller shows at Music Hall of Williamsburg, I couldn't resist but to give them another go. I'm glad I did, because this show was closer to the first time I'd seen them (Pitchfork '07), which I still consider to be one of the most entertaining performances I've ever experienced.
Fourth time's the charm, and Of Montreal definitely got it right this time. The smaller venue made a huge difference, and it was comfortably filled to capacity. Another plus for an aging concertgoer like me, the crowd was significantly less aggressive but still danced around as one should at an Of Montreal show. This time, the show didn't feel like a bad high school production. With toned down theatrics that were more than sufficient and psychedelic visuals on three screens, Of Montreal had found a way to bombard the audience's senses without overloading them. Since the last show, Skeletal Lamping had grown on me a bit, but it will still never measure up to the tremendous Hissing Fauna. Although I will always find "Gallery Piece" to be annoying beyond belief, I did like the new song that they played on Friday night. "Like a Tourist" already makes me excited for the next crazy thing that Kevin Barnes will whip up with the next album. You can listen to the song via nyctaper here.
This guy brought his own mask. I dig that.
via Music for Moodies' flickr photostream
Ever since I saw Janelle Monae open for Jamie Lidell's Summerstage show, I've been mesmerized by her futuristic music and persona. She's got crazy dance moves, and she painted a canvas while singing a song. Random, but sort of awesome. At first, the hipsters around us were a little confused by Janelle. But, it wasn't long before everyone was dancing along. The Of Montreal crowd tends to be very open-minded when it comes to insane stage antics, so this was the perfect audience for Janelle. Years in the making, Janelle joined Of Montreal onstage during the encore for a cover of David Bowie's "Moonage Daydream."
Of Montreal continues on their U.S. tour. Catch Janelle this summer at Bonnaroo.
Requiem for O.M.M.2 - Of Montreal
First Time High (Reconstructionist Remix of "An Eluardian Instance") - Of Montreal (Jon Brion Remix)
Violet Stars Happy Hunting! - Janelle Monae
April 21, 2009
Of Montreal- MHOW 04.17.09
October 11, 2008
Of Montreal - Roseland Ballroom 10.10.08
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
August 27, 2008
Of Montreal - "For Our Elegant Caste"
via Wikipedia
I've read so many posts on Of Montreal today, that I had to jump on the wagon. I started listening to Skeletal Lamping four days ago, but I still haven't had the time to give the album the time that it deserves. As I said many months ago, Of Montreal's last album (Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?) was one of my top albums of 2007. I have to admit, I didn't think that the first time I heard the album. But, as I gave it the time and listen that it deserved, I realized that the album was fantastic. Although Skeletal Lamping is more like The Sunlandic Twins than Hissing Fauna, I'm finding that I'm going to need some more time with it before I can say anything concrete.
For now, enjoy "For Our Elegant Caste." You will find that the lyrics are quite memorable and fun to sing along to. Love the reference to Georgie Fruit, Kevin Barnes' glam rock alter-ego. I remember seeing them perform this one at their Roseland Ballroom show last fall. I've also included "Id Engager," the first released track from Skeletal Lamping.
Of Montreal returns to Roseland Ballroom on October 10.
For Our Elegant Caste - Of Montreal | Alternative Link
Id Engager - Of Montreal
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
