Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?
by Of Montreal
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 164 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 146 out of 164
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 164
  3. Negative: 9 out of 164

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  1. DavidC.
    May 31, 2009
    10
    This is one of the greatest albums of this decade. The comedic and cynical lyrics counter the poppy melodies of the album in almost an ironic way. "The Past is a Grotesque Animal" lies perfectly in the middle of the album, where the music takes a sharp turn for the serious and angry. Of Montreal finds a way to make the most unlikely combination of lyrics and music to create one amazing This is one of the greatest albums of this decade. The comedic and cynical lyrics counter the poppy melodies of the album in almost an ironic way. "The Past is a Grotesque Animal" lies perfectly in the middle of the album, where the music takes a sharp turn for the serious and angry. Of Montreal finds a way to make the most unlikely combination of lyrics and music to create one amazing feeling of loss and anger. It is a truly unique and wonderful album from a truly unique and wonderful band.… Expand
  2. TimL
    May 28, 2008
    10
    I really don't see how anyone can see this album as anything other than perfect. The lyrics are so meaningful and it's clear that this album means a lot to Barnes. He take you for a ride through marital and mental breakdown through dark pop and funk music. The first half is definitely the more accessible of the two halves of the album, but the second half is certainly my I really don't see how anyone can see this album as anything other than perfect. The lyrics are so meaningful and it's clear that this album means a lot to Barnes. He take you for a ride through marital and mental breakdown through dark pop and funk music. The first half is definitely the more accessible of the two halves of the album, but the second half is certainly my favourite. With brilliant tracks like 'She's a rejecter' and of course 'Past is a grotesque animal' this is without a doubt the best album of 2007 and, most likely, the best of the decade.… Expand
  3. Nelly
    Apr 9, 2008
    10
    Outrageous... one of the best I've heard in a long time... we were born... unbelievable tune.
  4. TomP.
    Mar 31, 2008
    8
    Okay, the first half of this album is excellent, near perfect for it's genre, but the fact is, if you have ever seen this Of Montreal or actually listened to the lyrics, Barnes is just too damn creepy/fruity and self indulgent for me to seriously get into this band. Sorry, eye-glitter and fishnets are where I get off...Though The Past Is a Grotesque Animal is still one of my favorite Okay, the first half of this album is excellent, near perfect for it's genre, but the fact is, if you have ever seen this Of Montreal or actually listened to the lyrics, Barnes is just too damn creepy/fruity and self indulgent for me to seriously get into this band. Sorry, eye-glitter and fishnets are where I get off...Though The Past Is a Grotesque Animal is still one of my favorite songs of 2007.… Expand
  5. Drew
    Mar 25, 2008
    10
    I didn't really care for it on first listen, afraid I hated his voice. A few days pass and I'm singing "let's do it together! let's go together!" etc. So I pop it back in and each track stood out and stuck on that second listen. Showmanship I haven't seen since Bowie and musical creativity mixed with great lyrics is hard to beat. I think a great album has to have I didn't really care for it on first listen, afraid I hated his voice. A few days pass and I'm singing "let's do it together! let's go together!" etc. So I pop it back in and each track stood out and stuck on that second listen. Showmanship I haven't seen since Bowie and musical creativity mixed with great lyrics is hard to beat. I think a great album has to have great song after great song and have a fitting album closer, We Were Born Mutants is so perfect. I probably hear this album at least once a week and I've yet to get tired of a song on it. The weakest Labyrinthian Pomp is hardly weak enough to hold this set of songs down. Because songs like Sentence.. and Rejector give you at least a three or four song buffer to mess up the album, which they don't even bother touching. I have listened to a lot of albums with skippers in them and it's just so refreshing to lay down, let the album go and take part in near perfection to my ears. In short, I absolutely love so many things about this album that it is hard not to keep going back to it.… Expand
  6. KarlRavage
    Mar 21, 2008
    9
    Way to plug your favorite band in a negative way. Everything, Now! is the worst band ever! The Beatles revival is over. That is unless you're...freakin stoned!!? Wait...
  7. JonH.
    Feb 29, 2008
    10
    My album of the year. Their best and deepest work to date. As much as I love their older albums, they seem a bit superficial compared to this one. Every song brings something great to the table. Go see them live.
  8. dj=riv
    Dec 15, 2007
    10
    This album truly deserves a 10. it just keeps unfolding on me, and though I've rocked "sentence..." so many times, i still think it is one of, if not the best songs I've heard. I owe Kevin Barnes this review at the very least. buy this album, "or burn it off the internet and bump it outside!!!" (immortal technique).
  9. Drake
    Aug 1, 2007
    10
    Probably the best album of the year!
  10. KJ
    Jul 27, 2007
    10
    Best new album I've heard this year. Gets better with every listen. The Past Is A Grotesque Animal... one of the best songs I've heard.
  11. paulb
    Jul 6, 2007
    10
    Without a doubt, album of the year. Incredible musical talent, raw emotion and depth of lyrics. Just a further example of how little relevance and connection to music Rolling Stone has today.
  12. DMcQ
    Jul 1, 2007
    10
    6 months in my Frontrunner for album of the year...Fascinating combination of Ultra Energetic Pop Pastiche (A crazy blend of Beatles/Prince/Berlin-era Bowie References) and deeply personal lyricism. Though completely different in sound and feel, shares with Sleater-Kinney's The Woods a sense of late-career breakthrough...this an incredibly confidant, daring album...too quick and 6 months in my Frontrunner for album of the year...Fascinating combination of Ultra Energetic Pop Pastiche (A crazy blend of Beatles/Prince/Berlin-era Bowie References) and deeply personal lyricism. Though completely different in sound and feel, shares with Sleater-Kinney's The Woods a sense of late-career breakthrough...this an incredibly confidant, daring album...too quick and chaotic for some, but a jewel to be treasure for those that can. Brilliantly sequenced too, with many of the songs thematically merging into one another. And in The Past is a Grotesque Animal the best song of the year.… Expand
  13. chuckl.
    Jun 26, 2007
    10
    of montreal is the best!!!!!
  14. TravisD
    Jun 11, 2007
    10
    Wow!! This is best pop album in the last 10 years.
  15. ColinO
    Jun 9, 2007
    10
    A terrifically fun album.
  16. F.L.
    Jun 8, 2007
    10
    Soooooo nice.
  17. VincentH.
    May 22, 2007
    10
    One of the few over-hyped and critically acclaimed albums of the year that ACTUALLY DESERVES IT! (yes...Klaxons suck...deal with it). "The Past is a Grotesque Animal" is the best song Of Montreal has ever done and is the best song I've heard on any album of any genre in 2007. It's worth the purchase alone...if you liked "Sunlandic Twins" a lot, you will love this one. It's One of the few over-hyped and critically acclaimed albums of the year that ACTUALLY DESERVES IT! (yes...Klaxons suck...deal with it). "The Past is a Grotesque Animal" is the best song Of Montreal has ever done and is the best song I've heard on any album of any genre in 2007. It's worth the purchase alone...if you liked "Sunlandic Twins" a lot, you will love this one. It's a natural progression in every way (Barnes' songwriting only gets better with each album), from the music (much more complex yet more melodic) to the lyrics (easily the best lyrics Barnes has ever written). Besides one song, this album is a straight-up masterpiece and definitely one of the top 4 or 5 best albums released so far this year. If you are a fan of their earlier albums or indie-pop in general, this is a must-have.… Expand
  18. Smith
    May 22, 2007
    10
    catchy and intoxicating as hell! A pure pop sensation.
  19. BenoitT.
    May 17, 2007
    10
    A BOMB
  20. Thompson
    May 13, 2007
    10
    The most original album of the year! Filled with wonderful tracks.
  21. sephb
    May 8, 2007
    10
    This album is one that i feel i will never tire off,Barnes proves to be virtuosic in his musical and lyrical abilities, this song should be way higher in the best of 2007 list, not slagging arcade fire off but Barnes manages to fit ten times more melodies into his songs without the entourage of 600 violinists!!
  22. ShaunB
    May 6, 2007
    10
    Another gem by my favorite band in music, right now. This album is catchy as hell and will have you hooked for weeks, trust me on that.
  23. JT
    May 1, 2007
    10
    The first real masterpiece of 07. Another terrific album by Of Montreal.
  24. mathieuv
    Apr 28, 2007
    10
    Huge album.
  25. DEE
    Apr 27, 2007
    10
    Absolutely brilliant! Definitely one of a kind. Great, great album.
  26. JustinS
    Apr 27, 2007
    9
    This album has some very creative arrangements, both instrumentally and vocally. In some ways, this album sounds much like what I think the Beatles would sound like if they were in their 20's again. Lots of great hooks and melodies. A very good psych-pop album.
  27. BlakeD
    Apr 25, 2007
    9
    Not the best album of the year but it's pretty damn close. That title would probably go to "Nine Inch Nails: Year Zero" but anyway, Hissing Fauna is a fabulous album. I can't even remember the last time I had this much fun listening to music. Everytime I listen to this I start dancing and very albums have that effect on me. This a must buy!
  28. Truedatdk
    Apr 25, 2007
    10
    Wow, I didn't even know this band until a few months ago, heard some sets on KEXP podcasts, and then picked up Satanic Twins on EMusic. I enjoyed that, and it grew on me tremendously over time. It was right at that point this album dropped, and I picked it up. Really classic, essential, definitive stuff. There are so many surprises here, humorous, and disturbing. Listen and enjoy. I Wow, I didn't even know this band until a few months ago, heard some sets on KEXP podcasts, and then picked up Satanic Twins on EMusic. I enjoyed that, and it grew on me tremendously over time. It was right at that point this album dropped, and I picked it up. Really classic, essential, definitive stuff. There are so many surprises here, humorous, and disturbing. Listen and enjoy. I am going to go shave my head and be left alone ;)… Expand
  29. AaronSycophantman
    Apr 24, 2007
    8
    The first 6 songs on this album are all aces and show the band at the top of their game. The second half is dramatically worse. If the second half were it's own album alone it would rate a 6 at best. Pity...
  30. Cat
    Apr 23, 2007
    10
    A really fun album. My boyfriend and I dance to it all the time. All and by the way, best album of the year!
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Awards & Rankings

50
#50 Best Album of 2007
29
#29 Most Discussed Album of 2007

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 36 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 36
  3. Negative: 0 out of 36
  1. Drowned In Sound
    80
    If there is one thing in this world that can elevate even the weakest of lyrics from the trough of personal diary hell, it’s a catchy melody. Thankfully this record overflows with them.
    Read full review
  2. The Boston Phoenix
    75
    For the most part an exercise in Prince-like electro-funk, full of squelchy keyboard fuzz and chicken-scratch guitar noise and absurdly complicated falsetto harmonies.
    Read full review
  3. Urb
    80
    A wonderfully dance-ridden companion ot the intelli-disco carved out on 2005's The Sunlandic Twins. [Jan/Feb 2006, p.81]
See all critic reviews »