Wednesday, January 01, 2014

BOUND: The Albums, 2013.


the knowing.

01/Of Montreal/Lousy with Sylvianbriar 

Kevin Barnes is often the oddest/wackiest/most imbalanced person in the room. But he is not and has never been stupid, no matter how disturbing or chaotic the circumstances are that surround him. He's still present, with a keen eye. Forever an astute observer with the sharpest of tongues, even when he's the butt of another's joke or emotional and verbal abuse. And on Lousy with Sylvianbriar, he's seeing things more clearly now that the rain is gone. Lousy with Sylvianbriar is what happens when the plates stop spinning and it's become all too clear that those you've been hiding from/putting on airs for/taking shit from/or whose opinions you've been valuing for far too long are just as broken or even more so than you. These moments of clarity cut like a knife as Kevin, done with being a monster "just to feel something ugly enough to be true", is ready to keep it real, tell you about yourself, and do what he's always done best: read. "There is a virus in your tenets. Don't be naive, you know it's true"; "she ain't speaking' now. Her eyes they seem cast and Fatherless"; "I've become such a wolf around you"; "I'm not a patron of yours anymore. Don't want to hear it. The sirens of your toxic spirit…" 

This go round, Kevin and his Of Montreal cohorts look to the vibes and melodies of folks like the Dylans and Neil Youngs of rock's free spirited and acid tongued past, adopting cocksure stances that are strongly matter of fact, yet wonderfully nonchalant, making the words and observations sting that much more. Kevin and company are focused and know that of which they speak of here. Are sure of it. No patience for impractical emotions. Insanity and clatter are cut to a minimum, or are non-existent. And it's allowed he and his band to make one of their most direct and focused long players in years. 

KEY TRACKS: Obsidian Currents/Sirens of Your Toxic Spirit/Colossus 

02/Toro y Moi/Anything in Return

03/Sky Ferreira/Night Time, My Time

04/Kanye West/Yeezus 

05/Arctic Monkeys/AM

06/Arcade Fire/Reflektor

07/Justin Timberlake/The 20/20 Experience, Pt. 1

08/Janelle Monae/The Electric Lady

09/Chance the Rapper/Acid Rap

10/Haim/Days Are Gone

11/Danny Brown/Old

12/Deerhunter/Monomania

13/Foxygen/We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic



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