If there's any lingering suspicion that alter ego Georgie Fruit was merely an offhand whimsy by Kevin Barnes-- just tongue-in-cheek self-mystification-- Skeletal Lamping will clear things up. Last year's Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer? was so rich with cathartic pop goodness it's easy to forget Barnes supposedly morphed into a middle-aged African-American transsexual midway through the album. And he hasn't yet changed back. Longtime fans still hoping for a return to The Gay Parade or Cherry Peel days of innocence may want to stop reading, because Skeletal Lamping roofies Hissing Fauna's back half to live out Barnes', er, Georgie's sexual fantasies.
I've never heard an of Montreal song.
I went into this expecting some run-of-the-mill slightly above average indie pop. I knew that just wouldn't be the case as soon as the gut-punch of repetitious and distorted guitar stabs come in suddenly on the first track "Nonpareil of Favor". This album comes across more like an indie pop album ripped open by a sexually driven funk demon. Skeletal Lamping doesn't let up for its hour-long runtime and continuously keeps you on your toes. The ... read more
I initially had this album rated at 90, but the older I get and the more I listen to it, I realise that I love it just as much as its predecessor, 'Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?' It is a sexually-driven funk album filled with perversions, a distinct Bowie wit and charm, and just the right amount of campness. Kevin Barnes' notoriously elusive and cryptic lyrics are on full display throughout as he develops his indomitable alter-ego of Georgie Fruit. For me, 'Skeletal Lamping' elicits an ... read more
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#25 | / | musicOMH |
#37 | / | No Ripcord |
#47 | / | Rolling Stone |