WERS 88.9 fm - Performance Wrap-Up: Of Montreal

February 18^th, 2010

There were tigers.  And man pigs.  And feather cannons.  Oh my!

For anyone unfamiliar with the full-fledged, amazingly-low-budget-yet-fantastically-creative spectacle of an Of Montreal concert, such things may sound peculiar.  To those in attendance to Of Montreal’s latest Boston gig, such things prompt ringing memories of utterly marvelous colorful, ridiculous fun.  As part of their impromptu mini-US tour, Of Montreal paid a visit to the Paradise to dazzle a sold-out house.

They had some help, however:  James Husband, the side project of Of Montreal member Jamey Huggins opened, accompanied by select members from Of Montreal and a few new faces.  With a vocal styling that falls somewhere between the Shins and Wilco, this cello-augmented ensemble provides an interesting mix of ‘60s influenced pop and mixed techniques to establish their overall sound.

Both bands were coming straight from a NYC show the night before (during which Susan Sarandon joined the band on stage dressed as a schoolmarm and was seen spanking a grown man in a pig costume with a ruler), an experience from which Of Montreal singer Kevin Barnes admitted to be “still recovering” from.  However, this did not hinder them from launching into an excellent set that persistently gained momentum throughout the night.  Setting the pace with “Suffer for Fashion,” Of Montreal outlined the tone for the evening with dancing pigs and much bouncing.  The rest of the show provided a solid mix of “Hissing Fauna... Are You The Destroyer,” “Satanic Panic in the Attic,” and “Skeletal Lamping,” as well as a few new numbers.  The encore provided a real treat: a wonderfully soulful cover of the Jackson Five’s “I Want You Back” that sent the whole house grooving out into the night.

Volumes could be written on the tightness of Barnes’ pink trousers or the fact that the guitarist was wearing a skirt, but such grandeur is better portrayed in imagery.  Besides, words cannot accurately capture the bizarreness that this band manages to maintain. 

Constantly experimenting with the new and unusual, always testing and engaging the crowd with a blinding array of backup dancers, scene actors, strobe lights, makeshift green screening, and props…all this serves to establish an unparalleled energy that matches the momentum of their music in a way that’s entirely original. This blend of spectacle, randomness, and musical genius will keep Of Montreal playing sold-out shows for as long as Kevin Barnes is willing to wear copious amounts of green eye shadow while being whipped by a faceless minion in a pink wig.  Which hopefully will be a long, long time.

-Words and Images by Melissa Rogers