of Montreal
Even if you are only vaguely acquainted with of Montreal you will surely have an idea that they are somewhat unusual. Delve deeper into the bands barmy world and you will travel on a gleeful and deranged visual and sonic adventure. The band itself, which formed in 1997 in Athens, Georgia, has been on a similar escapade, through various line-up shuffles and musical styles, to arrive at 2008’s applauded and most commercially successful Skeletal Lamping. It was sold in various formats, one of which happened to be a paper lantern (a digital download code for the album was included to help illuminate the music itself.)
Way back in the glorious 90’s the band signed to The Elephant 6 Recording Company, a prominent American independent record label which also hosted the likes of Neutral Milk Hotel and Elf Power. An indie pop psych folk fusion could always be heard soaring down the halls and sailing out of the windows at the label and of Montreal of course were in line with this. Formed by Kevin Barnes, (who happens to be the only remaining original member and guru of the group) he was joined by Derek Almstead and Bryan Poole, who combined powers to produce the quirky, lo-fi pop sound of debut album Cherry Peel and EP The Bird Who Continues to Eat the Rabbit’s Flower and The Bedside Drama: A Petite Tragedy. A pattern emerged from the outset: the truly bizarre song and album titles.
Third album, 1999’s The Gay Parade, saw a move towards a fuller sound (they were regarded by some as twee in their early days) which has shifted and developed with each release since. What has remained is a sunny disposition laying down foundations for bittersweet narratives concerning love, loss and death. These kinds of plot ingredients sure do make for an epic album. Heralded for their whimsical instrumentation, sing-a-long melodies and lively tempos, the band have become more experimental in recent years, heightened on their 9th album, the schizophrenic, electronic, funk pop of Skeletal Lamping. Rhythm and melody chop and change, often mid song. You won’t find a more dizzying album of last year but such creativity sure is exciting.
If there was ever a sense that of Montreal are becoming increasingly marvellous yet extraordinary as time goes by it is confirmed by the introduction of Georgie Fruit. Kevin Barnes African-American cross-dressing stage persona was first mentioned on 2007 album Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer? In fact the album supposedly chronicles Barnes transformation into this new façade, who he has described in interviews as a black man in his late forties who has been through multiple sex changes. All in a day’s work for of Montreal. It certainly makes for a theatrical, captivating and slightly terrifying stage show. They showered a crowd at a recent Portland show with pear juice, feathers and raw ham. Wow - how could you not even be the slightest bit intrigued?
Such a bizarre band naturally attract some crazed, kooky fans so there are great and ghastly of Montreal websites out there, in equal measure.
OFMONTREAL.NET: of Montreal’s official website is bang up to date and is the perfect showcase for their music and artwork. Watch videos, read interviews or simply gawp in awe and wonder at their peculiar photo shoots.
MYSPACE.COM/OFMONTREAL: If you exhaust of Montreal’s official website, their MySpace page is another great vault of disturbing band photos, great music and tour dates. And you could always try and contact other fans - hurrah for the internet!
OF MONTREAL ON ELEPHANT 6: Want to delve deeper and go back to where it all began? Look no further than the bands first record label. It is also an excellent way to discover similar bands you’re sure to fall in love with.
LIVE IN LONDON: “A gleefully ostentatious bunch, these long-serving members of their hometown’s Elephant Six Collective are attired variously as a fairy, a Cossack, a nineteenth century dandy, and in the case of singer Kevin Barnes, a cross between Adam Ant, Patrick Wolf and a gay Flower Pot Man (that’s if there are any straight flower pot men…)” – Matt Tomiak
F**K THE PAIN AWAY (LIVE):
Though the sound quality isn’t amazing, this cover of Peaches’ ‘F**k the Pain Away’ should give you an idea what the of Montreal stage show is like. Oh my.
HEIMDALSGATE LIKE A CURSE
Like only the best artists can, of Montreal match their music with their visuals. Oh my.
T MOBILE ADVERT
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of Montreal… in a T Mobile advert! Oh my.