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Aldhils Arboretum Image
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 10 Ratings

  • Summary: Prone to making concept albums, the Athens, GA band led by Kevin Barnes returns with a more conventional offering for this, their fifth LP.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 9
  2. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. There's emotion, extraordinary technique, and a surprising, oh-so-welcome passion in the singing.
  2. The band manages to retain a good deal of their trademark zaniness while producing what might be their most focused and polished work.
  3. For everyone who thought the conceptual excesses of the previous releases went a bit too far or simply didn’t have the patience to tie together all the musical loose ends, this may be the Of Montreal album they’ve been waiting for.
  4. Resonance
    70
    Stands up against Of Montreal's legendary fairly tale oddness. [#36, p.58]
  5. While Barnes' lyrics don't indulge in apocalyptic imagery or read like autopsy reports, the lyrical subjects range from death, to low culture, to existentialism. When combined with such inexplicitly peppy music, the somber nature of Barnes' lyrics welcomes hesitant laughter.
  6. Uncut
    70
    An irreverent and enjoyably silly listen. [Mar 2003, p.100]
  7. Q Magazine
    60
    This unabashedly jolly outing manages to be both simultaneously charming and irritating. [Feb 2003, p.106]

See all 9 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 3
  2. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. alexc
    Jun 17, 2006
    9
    A great listen, full of fantabulously catchy pop hooks and some of the most mainstrem sound of Montreal has ever put out. Gems include "Doing A great listen, full of fantabulously catchy pop hooks and some of the most mainstrem sound of Montreal has ever put out. Gems include "Doing Nothing" and "The Blank Husband Epidemic" but the best song on here is clearly "Jennifer Louise"...so good, I listened to it fifteen times in under three hours. And it's still stuck in my head. Expand
  2. pooppop
    Nov 1, 2004
    8
    yummy
  3. Sep 11, 2016
    6
    Less passionate and engaging than each of its predecessors, "Aldhils Arboretum" is ultimately little more than an awkward transition for ofLess passionate and engaging than each of its predecessors, "Aldhils Arboretum" is ultimately little more than an awkward transition for of Montreal. After a number of years of working as a loose collective, Kevin Barnes, for the very first time, gives up a bit of his position as Ultimate Creative Overlord for of Montreal... and the music definitely suffers as a result. The songs, while more succinct and focused than many on past albums, offer far less in the way of content and creativity, leaning more toward simple palatability and cuteness. Highlights like the catchy "Jennifer Louise" and the smooth "Kissing in the Grass" are mere notebook entries compared to the standard fare from the mind of Kevin Barnes, and "Aldhils Arboretum" never ends up pushing past being simply a nice album. Expand