It can be said that there are distinct sonic periods in of Montreal's history. In the beginning, they were a quirky pop band with Beatles and Kinks influences, but slowly expanded their sound through additional instrumentation and electronics. This period reached a peak with their 2007 album, Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?, which introduced the character Georgie Fruit,a transsexual middle aged front man for an imaginary band. This character, from the mind of main songwriter Kevin Barnes, made appearances across future releases such as Skeletal Lamping, and these albums sported a distinct Prince and funk influenced sound. Just about at the point where that sound was getting stale, they made a major change with their last album, Lousy with Sylvianbriar, which was a little more rock and folk oriented.
Needless to say, there's a lot of things to hear in of Montreal's almost 20 year release history, but no material has quite sounded like their new project, Aureate Gloom. Culled from a tumultuous time in Kevin Barnes' personal life, this album embraces some decidedly post punk sensibilities. That is not to say that this album is without the meandering melodies and multiple tempo and mood changes that one has come to expect with of Montreal songs. Listening to an of Montreal song for the first time can be a dizzying experience. Sometimes there's so much music packed into a single song, that it makes other band's full albums seem minuscule in comparison. That's kind of the thing I like about their sound though. Even on their sweet lo fi love song beginnings, there were so many turns in a song to the point where every tune was like a multi movement pop suite.
The album starts of with the only song I could possibly have mistaken as a track from another album, 'Bassem Sabry'. This has more of a glossy funk sound than the material that comes after it, which is a little more rough, but still highly rhythmic and melodic. The themes and emotions that I can pull from these songs are heartbreak, anger, but above all, confusion. Kevin Barnes can really insert you into his life with his lyrics, and they really do reflect the confusion with the end of a relationship; the anger, the sadness, and the residual loving emotions for the other person. This is definitely a break up album in those classic terms, but it definitely takes a much more complex and relate-able take on it. The emotions after such an experience are complex, and it seems that other break up albums kind of gloss over one emotion in particular.
All in all, I like the direction that of Montreal is going, which is to say, away from the electro funk they were getting stuck in. Their last two records have both been a break from this sound, but also islands unto themselves,which is very promising for their career path. I like a little bit of uncertainty in what is going to come out of an artist next.
Needless to say, there's a lot of things to hear in of Montreal's almost 20 year release history, but no material has quite sounded like their new project, Aureate Gloom. Culled from a tumultuous time in Kevin Barnes' personal life, this album embraces some decidedly post punk sensibilities. That is not to say that this album is without the meandering melodies and multiple tempo and mood changes that one has come to expect with of Montreal songs. Listening to an of Montreal song for the first time can be a dizzying experience. Sometimes there's so much music packed into a single song, that it makes other band's full albums seem minuscule in comparison. That's kind of the thing I like about their sound though. Even on their sweet lo fi love song beginnings, there were so many turns in a song to the point where every tune was like a multi movement pop suite.
All in all, I like the direction that of Montreal is going, which is to say, away from the electro funk they were getting stuck in. Their last two records have both been a break from this sound, but also islands unto themselves,which is very promising for their career path. I like a little bit of uncertainty in what is going to come out of an artist next.
What were your opinions on this album? Did you love it? Hate it? Next time I'll be looking at either the new Inventions LP, Maze of Woods or Strangers to Ourselves, the new Modest Mouse project. Not sure what to tackle next.
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