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. F.L.
    Jun 8, 2007
    10
    Soooooo nice.
  2. 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
  3. GZ
    Feb 3, 2007
    10
    Brilliant! nuff said
  4. TomJ
    Feb 4, 2007
    9
    It's an amazing album, really. First I think it's very different from other indie-pop music, and in this case that's very, very good. It's the first album of 'Of Montreal' that I've bought and it will certain not be the last! It's amazing you can make a song with a duration of 11:54 with the same chords over and over, yet it's still not boring It's an amazing album, really. First I think it's very different from other indie-pop music, and in this case that's very, very good. It's the first album of 'Of Montreal' that I've bought and it will certain not be the last! It's amazing you can make a song with a duration of 11:54 with the same chords over and over, yet it's still not boring in the end! Good work guys, I'm gonna buy all your albums (unless they get a very low score on this site, no that's a joke)… Expand
  5. JoseC
    Mar 5, 2007
    10
    Probably there best work of there career. Very catchy, fun, thrilling, weird, and absolutely stunning! The best album so far this year.
  6. TrekD
    Mar 5, 2007
    10
    Awesome, just awesome! I haven't had this much fun listening to music in a long, long time.
  7. ErinK
    Apr 10, 2007
    9
    The only thing more fun than listening to Barnes shed his soul in this eclectic 80's-pop throwback is watching him do it live. Not only is this music a blast to listen to driving on a sunny day, it leaves you high with adrenaline when you see them perform it.
  8. Nelly
    Apr 9, 2008
    10
    Outrageous... one of the best I've heard in a long time... we were born... unbelievable tune.
  9. IsaacC
    Jan 23, 2007
    10
    Another concept album for Of Montreal that is not short of the talent and artistic genius we have come to expect from Kevin Barnes. The story is one that tells of Kevin's struggle to find himself. It revolves around him transforming into an eternal alter ego- Georgie Fruit, a character resembling rockers like Freddie Mercury whose central preoccupations are generally music, love and Another concept album for Of Montreal that is not short of the talent and artistic genius we have come to expect from Kevin Barnes. The story is one that tells of Kevin's struggle to find himself. It revolves around him transforming into an eternal alter ego- Georgie Fruit, a character resembling rockers like Freddie Mercury whose central preoccupations are generally music, love and drugs. The climax of the entire album is where the transformation takes place- in the approximately 12 minute "The Past is a Grotesque Animal"-the essential stripping-down of the previous being. Through the entire album evidence of the glamour of rock come through sexual and drug references. And following the trend set by these concept albums, the songs are again upbeat-intricate, beautiful melodies in front of the dance-able bass lines that bring most back to the '70s. Dottie's synth resonates along with the music providing for the feel-good vibe absorbed by the listener. Kevin's ability as a lyricist is passed through the spot-free mirror of his insanely memorable and extraordinary voice-each assertment of "you ain't got no soul power" and "I want to hit her but I can't, I can't, I can't!" possesses the listener to become so familiar with the song as if it were always embedded in their souls. I found myself utterly familiar with EVERY song and EVERY lyric upon the first listen. And the same Beatle-esque melodies and the canvas music compostition style of Queen still apper as sheer as on The Sunlandic Twins. By far atop the string of concept albums released by Kevin Barnes and company. Of Montreal shows again why they are atop the throne of the Indie Pop scene.… Expand
  10. thomasl
    Jan 24, 2007
    10
    When the band released some teaser mp3's earlier I was looking to be disappointed, but after hearing it all together as one work i am blown away. i want to listen to it constantly. i hope this doesn't mean i get burned out on it quickly - i hope it remains a constant and grows and grows like the 12 minute "The Past is a Grotesque Animal." This is a song unlike any OM has When the band released some teaser mp3's earlier I was looking to be disappointed, but after hearing it all together as one work i am blown away. i want to listen to it constantly. i hope this doesn't mean i get burned out on it quickly - i hope it remains a constant and grows and grows like the 12 minute "The Past is a Grotesque Animal." This is a song unlike any OM has released before. A song that feels like you are experiencing it being created at that very moment that you are listening to it. It is NOW forever. "Grolandic Edit" and "She's a Rejector" will not leave my brain for a while. An album that explores some territory that Beck did with Midnite Vultures, I 'm sure it will be in most top 10 lists at the end of the year.… Collapse
  11. CourtneyO
    Jan 26, 2007
    9
    Not quite as spectacular as The Sunlandic Twins, but an excellent effort overall. The Past is a Grotesque Animal is a bit of a struggle the first couple of times through, but it grows on you. I will be listening to this one a lot over the next few months.
  12. bryndiso
    Jan 31, 2007
    10
    brilliant. heart-wrenching and utterly danceable at the same time. barnes is the man.
  13. andresl
    Jan 30, 2007
    10
    wow, how could this band slip under my radar. this is the first record i have listen to by them but i think is absolutly brilliant. i'm gonna check out their previous albums although the reviews suggest they are quiet different. this one is very catchy, the production is excellent and the lyrics kinda dark but very funny. some songs sound like beck circa midnight vultures others like wow, how could this band slip under my radar. this is the first record i have listen to by them but i think is absolutly brilliant. i'm gonna check out their previous albums although the reviews suggest they are quiet different. this one is very catchy, the production is excellent and the lyrics kinda dark but very funny. some songs sound like beck circa midnight vultures others like good bowie. no filler i like all the songs… Expand
  14. LeoF
    Jan 30, 2007
    9
    it doesn't sound like, but this is a breakup album. only kevin barnes could do an album about a breakup in the norwegian winter that sounds so happy and full of funky basses. cheers to mr barnes! gronlandic edit is the best song here.
  15. JasonH
    Jan 30, 2007
    10
    Best CD by "Of Montreal" yet. Really gets you going.
  16. AJ
    Feb 15, 2007
    9
    I know were only February but this is my favorite album of 07, so far.
  17. ToddW
    Feb 15, 2007
    7
    Hissing Fauna is a strong effort by another of the underrated and ubertalented Elephant 6 collective. The songs are melodic and catchy, with the vocals in spots reminding one alternately of The Sweet and The Darkness. This album is a grower; it's not an easy listen out of the shrinkwrap as Kevin Barnes' vocals can wear thin. On a song like Heimdalsgate Like a Promothean Curse he Hissing Fauna is a strong effort by another of the underrated and ubertalented Elephant 6 collective. The songs are melodic and catchy, with the vocals in spots reminding one alternately of The Sweet and The Darkness. This album is a grower; it's not an easy listen out of the shrinkwrap as Kevin Barnes' vocals can wear thin. On a song like Heimdalsgate Like a Promothean Curse he sounds a little too precious and the music reminds one of second-rate Cars. The lynchpin to the album is The Past Is A Grotesque Animal, an 11-minute kiss-off to his ex-wife that is the best break-up song since Positively Fourth Street. When Barnes uses personal pain as a muse, his writing and music are stunning. Otherwise, cute only plays well for a finite number of listens.… Expand
  18. pedrop
    Feb 27, 2007
    9
    I've been a fan since Coquelicot, and I love Barnes' progression from Elephant 6 also-ran to this innovative blend of sweet basslines and robotic percussion. This is a very powerful album, and it takes at least a couple of listens to appreciate the darker, genuinely emotional side. I do think the album has some flow problems when it hits the long centerpiece, which is why this I've been a fan since Coquelicot, and I love Barnes' progression from Elephant 6 also-ran to this innovative blend of sweet basslines and robotic percussion. This is a very powerful album, and it takes at least a couple of listens to appreciate the darker, genuinely emotional side. I do think the album has some flow problems when it hits the long centerpiece, which is why this isn't a perfect score. Regardless, I sincerely think Of Montreal (especially considering their last three albums culminating with Hissing Fauna) will be deemed one of the better bands of any era - certainly one of the best of this decade.… Expand
  19. jackq
    Feb 3, 2007
    10
    Best album ever made, even better live.
  20. BobP
    Feb 4, 2007
    9
    Saddest disco album ever!
  21. FelipeP
    Feb 8, 2007
    10
    Amazing record, Of Montreal definitely is one of the best bands in the world. The production is magic, as the lyrics.
  22. BernardA
    Feb 9, 2007
    9
    I really loved Of Montreal's last album Sunlandic Twins with its playful combination of bright melodies mixed with dance beats.. On Hissing Fauna Kevin Barnes & company continue with this new sound of theirs & that's fine by me. The songs on this cd have melodies that won't leave you head for days. Heck whenever I listen to this i can't help but hum along. Standout I really loved Of Montreal's last album Sunlandic Twins with its playful combination of bright melodies mixed with dance beats.. On Hissing Fauna Kevin Barnes & company continue with this new sound of theirs & that's fine by me. The songs on this cd have melodies that won't leave you head for days. Heck whenever I listen to this i can't help but hum along. Standout songs include Suffer for Fashion, We were born Mutants again with Leafling, Heimdalsgate Like A Promethean Curse & many more. The only weak song for me is Faberge Falls for Shuggie & the Past Is a Grotesque Animal goes on for little too long. Overall, this is a great album that shows Of Montreal to be an inventive group.… Expand
  23. Sean
    Feb 9, 2007
    9
    I agree with Stylus which says this album is front-loaded, but not because the second half is bad. Indeed, the first 5 or so tracks knocked me off my feet. But still, the album is highly listenable even during the second half, and She's A Rejector, one of the last songs, is one of the best ones on there. And the songs are all pretty short (the one verrrry long one serves as the I agree with Stylus which says this album is front-loaded, but not because the second half is bad. Indeed, the first 5 or so tracks knocked me off my feet. But still, the album is highly listenable even during the second half, and She's A Rejector, one of the last songs, is one of the best ones on there. And the songs are all pretty short (the one verrrry long one serves as the divider between the halves, and maybe not everyone will enjoy it, but i dont have trouble with it). It sucks though, because the San Francisco version of Guardian gave Hissing Fauna a great review, but not the main Guardian, which is used here.… Expand
  24. Cables
    Feb 9, 2007
    9
    The first brilliant album of 2007. Don't miss this one.
  25. JacobT
    Mar 10, 2007
    10
    Such good pop it hurts.
  26. GermánW.
    Mar 31, 2007
    9
    So far the best album of the year.
  27. HenrikS
    Mar 5, 2007
    10
    Very good! not a bad track on the album
  28. LukeT
    Mar 7, 2007
    10
    I can't even explain how good this is.
  29. ClintR
    Mar 9, 2007
    10
    This album is frickin' ridiculously GREAT!!! SOOO many amazing tracks... I need more...NOW!!
  30. NikkiG
    Apr 15, 2007
    10
    Fav pshychedlic rock of the year by far!! just so much fun to listen to!
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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 »