False Priest - Of Montreal
False Priest Image
Metascore

Generally favorable reviews - based on 29 Critics What's this?

User Score

Universal acclaim- based on 17 Ratings

  • 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.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 29
  2. Negative: 0 out of 29
  1. Some will surely find this preachy, yucky, or technologically compromised. I'm just happy I can say amen.
  2. It works, if possibly only because Kevin Barnes is ridiculous enough to believe it works. And that is the genius of Of Montreal.
  3. Jan 11, 2011
    80
    On False Priest, Brion drastically widens the canvas, giving the music a newfound clarity, symphonic sweep and thick low-end.
  4. Over-familiarity with Barnes' recent oeuvre aside, the material on False Priest just isn't as strong as the songs that comprise those other records.

See all 29 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. 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 Collapse
  2. 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
  3. 10
    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 a bold album by a very bold band paid off in the end. 10 out of 10 and much praise from me! Expand
  4. Fantastic 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

See all 6 User Reviews