2008 Woodie Awards
Pop goes the vaudeville
Alissa Van Winkle - The Daily Iowan
Issue date: 4/27/04 Section: Arts
- Page 1 of 1
Capricious collections of vigilantly crafted pop assembled in such a way to compose a glitzy, psychedelic vaudeville act with hilarious style - that's Of Montreal.
Although the five-piece band hails from Athens, Ga., its sound is undeniably mid-60s, following the era of such U.K. pop as early Beatles and Kinks. Following in the footsteps of the Elephant 6 recording collective - Elf Power, Apples in Stereo, Neutral Milk Hotel, and Olivia Tremor Control - Of Montreal mimics a tradition of early Pink Floyd and Beach Boys in texture and dynamics.
Brainchild Kevin Barnes formed the group in 1990 as the second wave of Elephant 6. After a failed romance with a woman from Montreal, he recruited Bryan Poole (bass, vocals [Elf Power]) and Derek Almstead (drums, vocals [Circulatory System]), and they recorded the band's debut, Che-rry Peel. It was released in 1997 by Bar/None and later remixed and re-issued by the newly formed five piece in 1999.
Of Montreal consists of Dottie Alexander (keyboards, flute, clarinet), Barnes (vocals, guitar, piano), Nina Barnes (bass), and James Huggins (drums, samples).
The band's second album, The Bedside Drama: A Petite Tragedy, is Barnes' way of experimenting with lyrical content. The 16 songs are credited to Kevin Barnes because he played most of the instruments himself, although Poole and Julian Foster (Neutral Milk Hotel) make uncredited appearances.
All members were present for the band's third full length, The Gay Parade - a musical extravaganza bringing together more than 40 musicians, many of whom form the album's choir.
Coquelicot Asleep in the Poppies: A Variety of Whimsical Verse is the band's fourth album, released in 2001 with 22 tracks and a 16-page full-color booklet of artwork by David Barnes (Kevin's brother) as well as a fold-out poster with lyrics. David Barnes does most of the artwork for Of Montreal's albums, and his colorful and witty style fits the band.
The newest creation, Satanic Panic in the Attic shows the band's evolution through indie-pop boundaries with electronic and Afro-beat influences.
With 60s-like baroque pop combined with Kevin Barnes' magnetic voice, the harmonious newest release tells stories of kissing corpses and climbing the ladder to loved ones - Of Montreal skips and hums along with lightheartedness.
Of Montreal will play today at Gabe's with special guests Marah-Mar and My Business Failed in Three Weeks. Doors open at 9 p.m.; cover is $7.
E-mail DI reporter Alissa Van Winkle at:
alissa-van@uiowa.edu
Although the five-piece band hails from Athens, Ga., its sound is undeniably mid-60s, following the era of such U.K. pop as early Beatles and Kinks. Following in the footsteps of the Elephant 6 recording collective - Elf Power, Apples in Stereo, Neutral Milk Hotel, and Olivia Tremor Control - Of Montreal mimics a tradition of early Pink Floyd and Beach Boys in texture and dynamics.
Brainchild Kevin Barnes formed the group in 1990 as the second wave of Elephant 6. After a failed romance with a woman from Montreal, he recruited Bryan Poole (bass, vocals [Elf Power]) and Derek Almstead (drums, vocals [Circulatory System]), and they recorded the band's debut, Che-rry Peel. It was released in 1997 by Bar/None and later remixed and re-issued by the newly formed five piece in 1999.
Of Montreal consists of Dottie Alexander (keyboards, flute, clarinet), Barnes (vocals, guitar, piano), Nina Barnes (bass), and James Huggins (drums, samples).
The band's second album, The Bedside Drama: A Petite Tragedy, is Barnes' way of experimenting with lyrical content. The 16 songs are credited to Kevin Barnes because he played most of the instruments himself, although Poole and Julian Foster (Neutral Milk Hotel) make uncredited appearances.
All members were present for the band's third full length, The Gay Parade - a musical extravaganza bringing together more than 40 musicians, many of whom form the album's choir.
Coquelicot Asleep in the Poppies: A Variety of Whimsical Verse is the band's fourth album, released in 2001 with 22 tracks and a 16-page full-color booklet of artwork by David Barnes (Kevin's brother) as well as a fold-out poster with lyrics. David Barnes does most of the artwork for Of Montreal's albums, and his colorful and witty style fits the band.
The newest creation, Satanic Panic in the Attic shows the band's evolution through indie-pop boundaries with electronic and Afro-beat influences.
With 60s-like baroque pop combined with Kevin Barnes' magnetic voice, the harmonious newest release tells stories of kissing corpses and climbing the ladder to loved ones - Of Montreal skips and hums along with lightheartedness.
Of Montreal will play today at Gabe's with special guests Marah-Mar and My Business Failed in Three Weeks. Doors open at 9 p.m.; cover is $7.
E-mail DI reporter Alissa Van Winkle at:
alissa-van@uiowa.edu
