Of Montreal

Skeletal Lamping (Polyvinyl)

By Leah Urbom
Published: November 23rd, 2008 | 9:00am

Frontman Kevin Barnes had some things to say regarding this release on Of Montreal’s MySpace blog: “In most contemporary songs, you can basically finish the artist’s sentences, musically and lyrically. I wanted to make an album where that was not possible.” Well, good job. Skeletal Lamping neither makes sense nor can its sentences be completed.

Forget the Of Montreal sound we’ve become accustomed to, this album merges that sense with elements of hip-hop, R&B, folk, piano cabaret, jungle, and art rock — an astonishing feat to accomplish, much like Barnes’ declaration of “I wanna make you come / 200 times a day” on early fan-favorite, “Gallery Piece.” Each song on Skeletal Lamping is incredibly multi-faceted, sticking to those lofty promises put forth. For example, those not paying careful attention won't realize that opener “Nonpareil Of Favor” is actually only one track on the album instead of two distinctly different songs.

Barnes has made no secret of his love for Prince, and on “St. Exquisite’s Confessions,” it’s the Artist himself (channeled through Barnes) on a too-sexy-for-school track whose instrumentals could be transmitted over any slow jam radio frequency; then — poof — it turns ambient; “And I’ve Seen a Bloody Shadow” is more akin to a funkdafied ‘70s rock song; “Death Is Not a Parallel Move” dabbles with a heavy hip-hop influence and transforms into a strummy acoustic number, declaring, “I must numb, I must shatter, I must diffuse / This fractured consciousness, this soft abuse” — lyrics reminiscent of typical Of Montreal. Catchier tracks include “For Our Elegant Castle,” “Triphallus, To Punctuate!” “Beware Our Nubile Miscreants,” and closer, “Id Engager.”

As with any Of Montreal release, it’s not without its pretension, weird noises, and nonsensical lyrics — but isn’t that why fans love them? Above all, before you take the Skeletal Lamping journey, make sure you’re safely strapped in. And please: Keep your hands and feet inside the ride at all times, there will be some major off-roading.

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