 | Tracklist:
1. Gelid Ascent
2. Spiteful Intervention
3. Dour Percentage
4. We Will Commit Wolf Murder
5. Malefic Dowery
6. Ye, Renew the Plaintiff
7. Wintered Debts
8. Exorcismic Breeding Knife
9. Authentic Pyrrhic Remission
Release Date: 02/07/2012 | |
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On 16 Lists
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| Summary: Of Montreal teeter perilously close to biting off more than they can chew. |
4 of 4 thought this review was well written
For the eccentric group that they are, Of Montreal has a rather grounded frontman. Let me qualify- yes, technically Kevin Barnes is not grounded during concerts, but rather hopping around like the unrestrained teenage youth his music seems to speak best to – however, behind the curtain, Barnes is quite the logical musician. Odd, right? Let’s be honest - it’s so much fun to picture all the most influential musicians driving themselves crazy while creating their masterpieces. Justin Vernon basking in the isolation of his frothy winter cabin. Sufjan Stevens locking himself up in his urban apartment, with a pair of headphones and a boundless supply of sheet music. Max Bemis writhing in the sterilized, padded rooms of a mental institution, attempting to clutch onto rationality that’s left him twisting in the wind. The concept of one giving their all, putting their soul into an album seems to denote the parts of a masterpiece coming together to create something inherently beautiful. However, this is why Barnes is so intriguing; the way that his opinions aren’t pretentious, that his personality isn’t paranoid or abrasive, the way that he actually seems like a cool guy to hang out with led me to be curious how odd his music must be. I mean, he must have some form of cathartic therapy to keep him maintain his impressive level-headedness, especially considering the pandemonium of the group’s live org-ahem, concerts.
I give the man props for accomplishing this seemingly impossible task, and for not giving into the façade of a crazy-ass-dom that many of his peers practice religiously. He comes across as undeniably genuine, doe-eyed for Stevie Wonder and John Lennon but also passionately immersing himself in the newly technological inclinations of the 21st century. To find a balance between these two forms of music, between more heartfelt refrains and electronic tour de forces is the place where we find him in early 2012, and admittedly, it’s much more helpful to hear the inner workings of the man and his creative self upon hearing the group’s latest album, Paralytic Stalks.
The fact that Of Montreal’s first album came out in ’97 lends credence to the idea of the band having experimented at multiple styles within their career, and this is still markedly true with their newest full-length. Paralytic Stalks is a stab at psychedelic fervor through the lens of electronics, one trip of an album that easily earns the title of the most interesting album I’ve heard in quite a long time. Yes, it has so much to say – Barnes’ impassioned connection with the Age of Adz certainly adds to this phenomenon - and there are multiple venues in which Of Montreal decide to communicate.
From the amazingly catchy hooks present in the first half of the album to the complete and utter submersion in electronics in the latter half, there isn’t much ground that the band decides to not cover. And while much of it is great, there are dips in quality, lulls that only bring the album’s momentum to a rolling stop. For instance, the use of so many electronic elements is utilized well throughout the first half of the album, but towards its end the album tends to get so immersed in just that one element that there isn’t anything even remotely coherent. The track “Exorcismic Breeding Knife” wins the award for being way less pleasant than its already incredibly unpleasant title, only consisting of almost eight minutes of annoying, unnecessary ambience that leads absolutely nowhere and seems to denote a buildup, but in fact doesn’t lead to anything of the sort. Undeniably the low point of the album, the song contrasts painstakingly starkly with the lovely arcs of the album’s beginning; “Dour Percentage” is just the loveliest celebration to be had, and “Spiteful Intervention” is without a doubt my song of 2012 so far. It’s a shame that the album is so hit-and-miss, but the truth is that when a band aims for so many sounds within an album, they often end up communicating less than they intended, and there’s no exception here. However, the highlights of this album are great ones, and while it’s enticing to fantasize about the potentiality of the band tightening their grip on the ideas they feel are most urgent, what we have with Paralytic Stalks is an expression with some very important things to say. The aforementioned cathartic nature of this album rears its head in this manner, as we learn details about Barnes that enable us to connect with his persona even more acutely.
“Oh God, the morning sun, suns of paranoia; I can’t function unless I’m the only one awake.”
So while Paralytic Stalks does carry its humor on its sleeve and doesn’t always take itself too seriously, it also conveys tinges of passion exuded between the lines, subtle instances showcasing Of Montreal in this new era of technology-infused music. It shows a startling level of maturity, but also a rather alarming lack of restraint that renders Of Montreal less effective than they could otherwise be. Regardless of what this album could have been, though, it’s undeniable that this album is a big step; into what direction, though, only time can tell.
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Album Rating: 4 | Sound Off
Album Stream:
http://prettymuchamazing.com/reviews/albumreviews/paralyticstalks
This simultaneously contains some of the best and worst music I've ever heard.
Digging: Deaf Havana - It's Called The Easy Life Digging: Deaf Havana - It's Called The Easy Life | | | Album Rating: 3.5
first album actually came out in 97, good review tho
Digging: Simian Mobile Disco - Unpatterns Digging: Simian Mobile Disco - Unpatterns | | | Album Rating: 4 | Sound Off
Ah, my bad. Cheers :] have you heard this one?
| | | Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off
Great review.
Digging: Perfume Genius - Put Your Back N 2 It | | | Album Rating: 3.5
yeah i'm going to write something on it this weekend. don't know how i feel yet but it's good
| | | Album Rating: 4 | Sound Off
:3 thank you so much. This album really has been a treat for me.
| | | Album Rating: 4 | Sound Off
Yeah it's an easy album to form an opinion on, that's for sure. I'm anticipating seeing what you have to say!
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
i do believe authentic pyrrhic remission is one of his best songs. funny how it comes up right after bleeding knife which is probably the polar opposite in quality
| | | Album Rating: 4 | Sound Off
Breeding Knife is just awful.
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very good review man pos
Digging: My Chemical Romance - The Black Parade Digging: My Chemical Romance - The Black Parade
| | | Album Rating: 4 | Sound Off
why thank you! :D
| | | Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off
Penultimate track is a buzzkill.
Digging: El-P - Cancer For Cure Digging: El-P - Cancer For Cure | | | Album Rating: 4 | Sound Off
I'm excited to meet someone who actually enjoys it, man. I feel like I don't enjoy the last track as much because I'm so put off by the one before it... Musical psychology, how you fascinate me
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
you make it sound like barnes is the end all be all of this band. when i see them live, each and every time i marvel at how each one of the 8 members plays at least 2 instruments each on every set. barnes is just theatrics. although memorable, it's the entire chemistry of this group that makes them so solid imo.
Digging: Dead Swans - Anxiety and Everything Else Digging: Dead Swans - Anxiety and Everything Else | | | Album Rating: 4 | Sound Off
To be fair, all I've ever heard about Of Montreal was about Kevin Barnes. That led to me believing he had a damn good amount of control in the band, although perhaps not.
Also, 2,000th comment aw shucks.
| | | Album Rating: 5 | Sound Off
Disagree on the rating, obviously, but nice review. Pos
Digging: Japandroids - Celebration Rock | | | Album Rating: 5 | Sound Off
For the record, I enjoy the penultimate track. It is one of my favorites, actually.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off
Wait no I feel like there is a case to be made for Exorcismic Bleeding Knife
| | | Album Rating: 4 | Sound Off
Why thank you! And interesting. I just can't figure out what happened with the song... It seems pretty out of context on the album, and I just cannot gather anything enjoyable at all from it. Nice to hear that someone enjoys it, though. I feel like if the album had continued at the pace it started off at, I would have it at a much higher rating.
I feel just as strongly about Spiteful Intervention as I do about the penultimate track, although for exactly opposite reasons :] it's just a perfect song.
| | | Album Rating: 4 | Sound Off
Interesting, Conrad. We shall have to see what you have to say on the matter in your review, I suppose!
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