Pop Culture Buzz

GRADE: A+

“GRONLANDIC EDIT”

Of Montreal came out of nowhere in my pop culture world over a year and a half ago. I was sitting in a movie theater when “Wraith Pinned Against The Mist and Other Games” started playing over the loud speaker. Right away I was hooked on Of Montreal’s silly, odd lyrical styling. Their brand of music as it turns out is as experimental and bizarre as anything I have ever heard, and I love every last drop of their wacky sounds. After I listened to “Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?” I couldn’t put into words how creative and trippy this slice of pop music is. I automatically put it into massive circulation in my iPod.

This album has so many angles and tricks up its sleeve, you are treated to something new and fun with each additional listen. Sometimes the mish-mash elements of experimental rock are just plain weird. But I like the un-familiar aspects of this bands arrangements. They are scattershot, and operatic in tone and length. The comparisons are all over the map: Yoko Ono, Bjork, The Scissor Sisters, Elton John, Queen, The Beatles, Franz Ferdinand can all be heard in snippets on “Hissing Fauna”.

My favorite song on this c.d. is “Gronlandic Edit” (above). The catchy, falsetto chorus is the hottest thing in music right now. I am not sure how to explain the building and layering on this collection of songs. The playlist weaves in and out of futuristic beats and stoner guitar solos. But for all of its bravery “Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer” may not appeal to the masses…which is good. Songs like “Bunny Aint Got No Kind of Rider” and “She’s A Rejector” are a rare find and people just wouldn’t understand it’s odd complexity. Check out Of Montreal if you are looking to be blown away by innovative pop music with a fun edge.

“THE PAST IS A GROTESQUE ANIMAL”