The Smiley Smile Message Board

Considering I'm just going to harp on and on about how good they are, I may as well do it in their own thread. For those who aren't aware, Of Montreal is a current band that has been releasing albums for about a decade. The earliest are similar to low-budget, Ray Davies-style tracks. Then there's a brief period of full-blown productions in the psychedelic styles of the Beatles, some Beach Boys and certainly Os Mutantes discs. A fine album called Adhils Arboretum came in 2002, featuring singles-styled songs, again with a serious mid-60s fixation. And since then there have been two discs mixing all of the above with some light electronic influence and some 80s dance music (think Prince), called The Sunlandic Twins and A Satanic Panic in the Attic.

Seriously, even if you don't listen to modern music, seek out Of Montreals discs, at least from The Gay Parade through the present (Sunlandic Twins). They're--in my opinion--the best band making new music.*

*The Shins and Belle & Sebastian follow close behind, along with the dearly departed Delgados.

Fun band. I have all their albums. My favourite song is "Kissing in the Grass". My favourite album is either Coquelicot or the Gay Parade.

I love Of Montreal.  I got into them when their new album was "The Gay Parade."  I love it to this day.  I've seen them live 5-6 times..  driving many a mile and visiting cities I've never been to, because they didn't come to Michigan for the longest time.  Now they come all the time.  "Sunlandic" was pretty disappointing to me.  Very slight and lackluster..  "Satanic Panic" was great.  I hope they stop worrying about getting on the OC, and get back to what they do best. 

I remember the first time I heard their music - the song "Penelope", a great piece of ADD psych-pop!

I liked Sunlandic quite a bit. It is a bit of a departure, but not really so far off from some elements of Satanic. As for the OC thing, well, it's nice to make a buck, you know? Everyone but Kevin has a real job when they're not touring, and he did until quite recently, too--I think around Adhils Arboretum. I saw them twice on the Satanic tour and once on Sunlandic, though, and with so many people turning out, I'd say things are looking up on that front.

http://www.thebeewithwheels.com/

(Kevin's brother, David, does all the OM artwork.  The above is his official website.)

(http://www.thebeewithwheels.com/Biography/Bio5.jpg)

David also participated (along with Nina, now Kevin's wife) in a hilarious play/revue they did a few years back, the year before Satanic Panic. It was fantastic. David did all the hilarious costumes and scenery, while Kevin and Nina acted/sang/danced/acted stupid.