Summary:Kevin Barnes expands his musical experimentation with the latest release from this Athens, Georgia indie-pop band, adding R&B stylings to the mix with the appearance of guest vocalist Janelle Monáe.
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Record Label:Polyvinyl
Genre(s): Pop/Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock
On False Priest, the spirit of collaboration does for Of Montreal on record what it has done for the band's live show, building a thrilling, carnival-like atmosphere around Barnes' fractured perspective.
Even though love and religion may be his False Priest, Barnes can't escape their torrid ties, and despite the struggle being a lost cause, there is much cause to rejoice on of Montreal's tenth album.
False Priest is billed as a more collaborative effort, both on the production end with musical savant Jon Brion and in the spotlighted duets with divas Janelle Monáe and Solange Knowles.
The hooks are more pronounced and the bottom end beefed up, which gives Barnes' R&B leanings a lot more dancefloor appeal and makes songs such as the buttery Solange duet "Sex Karma" sound better than anything Prince has come up with in years. But the affectations remain troubling.
Kevin Barnes made very clear that the schizophrenic Skeletal Lamping was simply an experiment, that its bipolar vignettes were over and doneKevin Barnes made very clear that the schizophrenic Skeletal Lamping was simply an experiment, that its bipolar vignettes were over and done with. This may be true, but the soul and funk influences that Barnes dabbled in are now more prevalent than ever on of Montrealâ…Expand
The best album of 2010. A blunt statement, for a blunt album, and blunt it is indeed. Not only is it trippy and bizarre, it's also very aware.The best album of 2010. A blunt statement, for a blunt album, and blunt it is indeed. Not only is it trippy and bizarre, it's also very aware. Unlike it's predecessor, False Priest knows exactly what it is, and even though it's not quite as masterful as Skeletal Lamping, it's more than just a worthy follow up.…Expand
I love this album! I find it so uplifting! Its just something to listen to when you just feel like sitting back and being entertained. Such aI love this album! I find it so uplifting! Its just something to listen to when you just feel like sitting back and being entertained. Such a bold album by a very bold band paid off in the end. 10 out of 10 and much praise from me!…Expand
Fantastic. The sounds are huge and organic. The lyrics are deep, enigmatic, devastating, and hopeful. The vocals are distinctly Kevin Barnes,Fantastic. The sounds are huge and organic. The lyrics are deep, enigmatic, devastating, and hopeful. The vocals are distinctly Kevin Barnes, which is frankly a great thing. The guest stars are incredible (Janelle and Solange sing with Kevin masterfully, and Nina makes a brief appearance saying something in Norwegian). The sounds are definitely more rock than usual (Coquet Coquette and Famine Affair). Even if the lyrics completely escape you, you can get quite a bit of enjoyment from the music. It really helps your understanding if you've familiarized yourself with Of Montreal's insanity, but this album shouldn't be weird enough to scare away first-time listeners. This album is great fun to sing along with your friends (especially while playing badminton), but it will really begin to show its depth after some meditation. False Priest begins to tell a story. You will understand Kevin Barnes' disappointment, resentment, devastation, and joy. There are numerous references to science (genetics, nuclear physics, etc.), which isn't too unusual. Researching mythology and science will always provide a better understanding of Of Montreal. When I began to contemplate an appropriate score for this album, I considered what I would have improved. I really could think of nothing. It's fun, deep, tragic, and can smoothly shift from euphoric to destroyed. When I hear Kevin cry out the line from Around the Way- "getting so ****ed up trying to cure you, it's so draining. How can I help when you won't talk to me?!" I literally get goosebumps. His emotion is expressed so fully that it hurts. This album is everything he said it would be. Salute your Busta-Rhymeness!â…Expand
I want to say that this album is better than it should be, but when I look back through the full Montreal catalogue, I remember that this is aI want to say that this album is better than it should be, but when I look back through the full Montreal catalogue, I remember that this is a band with a hell of a lot of ideas about a few subjects, and a very rehearsed and disciplined sound that has been cultivated over 12 or so years. This particular LP is just really very good.…Expand
Fantastic improvement from Skeletal Lamping. His collaboration with Brian Eno seems to have paid off. Great for more than a few listens. GreatFantastic improvement from Skeletal Lamping. His collaboration with Brian Eno seems to have paid off. Great for more than a few listens. Great melodies and vocal performance by Barnes.…Expand
