Of Montreal - Paralytic Stalks (Album)
It’s time to break out your glitter satchels and feathered capuchon’s for the geniuses Of Montreal have returned with a glistening new album ‘Paralytic Stalks’, their eleventh full-length album due to be released this February 10th. This new record brings together the old and the new, coalescing Of Montreal’s earlier sounds with obscure and somewhat brilliant experimentation.
Anyone familiar with Of Montreal will know that the band is unlike any other. They’ve been said to be beyond classification, and having front man and lyricists Kevin Barnes reinvent a whole new musical genre for themselves. But if you needed to call them something they are light-hearted indie-pop with a distinct calypso vibe. Although that still doesn’t do them any justice. To draw you a picture of the band, think of them as that crazed new age group of friends from school that you were too afraid to sit next to at lunch. Not because of their funky style, but more so because you didn’t know what they’d do next – they’re unpredictable. Likewise their music is known to be wild, contagious, and utterly brilliant to dance to.
of Montreal still remains the outrageous group we’ve grown to love however this new release introduces new elements to their musical pallet. The opening track ‘Gelid Ascent’ is dark and obscure, sieved with heavier sounds compared to the bands usual tracks. Parlaytic Stalks marks another serious turning point for the band’s style since the release of Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer? in 2007, which was also marked a huge change for their musical journey. From this point on, of Montreal has evolved into something entirely different – obscure, darker, and more truthful.
One of the albums strongest, and most contagious songs is ‘We Will Commit Wolf Murder’, which is a perfect example of the bands charming and eclectic nature of mixing heartbreaking, and humorous lyrics with up-beat melodies. Barnes’ eccentric lyricism “you’re the only beauty I don’t want to strangle” could bring about perplexed smiles everywhere its played. ‘Dour Percentage’ is classic of Montreal, bursting with harmonies and that catchy ooh-ooh-ahh-ahh Barnes does so well.
The album is roughly split into two parts, the first being much like the bands earlier releases catchy and outrageous and around the 3-4 minute mark; the second half of the album is slightly darker, deep and resonating, and tracks are stretched up to 8 minutes long.
After listening to the first couple of tracks you have the feeling of the album being much like its predecessors, with chuckle-worthy lyrics and distinctly vaudeville influences but after further listening you will find this whimsical side has faded. ‘Wintered Debts’, ‘Exorcismic Breeding Knife’, and the second half of ‘Authentic Pyrrhic Remission’ were the three gloomier ones of the bunch. There were many portions of the tracks that were entirely instrumental, which is unusual looking back at their previous albums Skeletal Lamping and False Priest. Touching on several themes of heartbreak, love, hate, and emotional illness ‘Wintered Debts’ is an orchestral pop epic, it weaves a tale of headache and heartache. At first sight of the track list, ‘Exorcismic Breeding Knife’ left me feeling a little concerned but intrigued. This was the only track I had a real issue with, it consists of almost eight minutes of psychedelic noise giving me the impression of it being unfinished.
All in all Of Montreal have exceeded my expectations once again. I haven’t been disappointed with their work since the release of Hissing Fauna. My verdict is that this new release is just as bizarre and delightful as their previous works, only this time they have ventured into previously unexplored territory. It pains me to say, some die-hard fans may not take this change as well as they should. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not a full-blown transformation, they have merely dipped their feet into some new sounds but they’re still our good old Of Montreal.
