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Skeletal Lamping
by
Skeletal Lamping Image
Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 33 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 61 Ratings

  • Summary: The Kevin Barnes-led sextet releases its follow-up to 2007's Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 33
  3. Negative: 2 out of 33
  1. Drowned In Sound
    90
    Some people are going to think this is a masterpiece, the equal of "Hissing Fauna." Others will call it a self indulgent mess that pushes indie-rock somewhere it really wasn't meant to go. Personally, I think both those sound about right.
  2. Paste Magazine
    87
    Amid its admirably complex compositional compressions, Skeletal Lamping feels like a triple-LP sprawler, despite clocking in at less than an hour. For those who have the patience to hang with Barnes and his freak-outs, it could be a masterpiece.
  3. Slant Magazine
    80
    Taken in isolation, the individual movements in these songs and the different voices of the narrators are never less than engaging.
  4. The A.V. Club
    75
    Most songs start with a barrage of mini movements, find aural stasis, then give in to stylistic onslaught. It's physically tiring at times, but immaculately arranged. That's less true of Barnes' lyrics. While his words are lysergically colorful and often poetic, any greater meaning is dissolved in an acid bath of too much information.
  5. The Boston Phoenix
    63
    This feast isn’t without a good deal of filler.
  6. Tiny Mix Tapes
    60
    Skeletal Lamping is by no means a bad album; rather, after such an organic and fully realized career milestone as Hissing Fauna, the difficulty of finding a new direction is a creatively arduous one, and of Montreal’s experimentation here is notable overall.
  7. Sputnikmusic
    30
    Skeletal Lamping lacks a satisfactory, uh, idea. None are progressed, thoroughly provoked, just simply thrown out the speakers in hopes that we are transfixed by its oh-so literal translation of Barnes’ Georgie Fruit act.

See all 33 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 17
  3. Negative: 1 out of 17
  1. Pipinowns
    Nov 30, 2010
    10
    The best of Montreal album to date, which is saying a lot. Completely original and innovative album, unlike anything you've heard before.The best of Montreal album to date, which is saying a lot. Completely original and innovative album, unlike anything you've heard before. Kevin Barnes isn't just changing his own style, he's completely changing indie music as we know it.… Expand
  2. Drew
    Oct 26, 2008
    10
    Firstly, I love of Montreal. They are one of my favorite bands. Everything after Satanic Panic is magnificently beautiful. Now, this is Firstly, I love of Montreal. They are one of my favorite bands. Everything after Satanic Panic is magnificently beautiful. Now, this is definitely a departure and not an easy listen. I hated this album on first listen. Third and fourth listens revealed this as one of the most incredible albums I've ever experienced. The lyrics are very sexual and nothing is held back. It scares me how well this album flows together. I find myself wanting to hear one song, then queuing up the rest of the album, it has that kind of flow. Definite masterpiece. Definitely in the hat for album of the year. Wins my vote hands down!… Expand
  4. AndrewP.
    Oct 21, 2008
    10
    The backlash against this album as too schizophrenic is curious, considering the sources who laud bands like Animal Collective. I find The backlash against this album as too schizophrenic is curious, considering the sources who laud bands like Animal Collective. I find Skeletal Lamping to be an absolute masterpiece, the best thing Of Montreal has ever done and one of the best albums of 2008. It takes some work to get into, certainly, but it's worth the effort. Don't let the negative reviews deter you from giving this one a chance.… Expand
  5. JoshG
    Oct 28, 2008
    10
    I felt slightly let down at first, kinda like it lacked some soul.. after i started wrapping my head around it I just fell more and more in I felt slightly let down at first, kinda like it lacked some soul.. after i started wrapping my head around it I just fell more and more in love. thank god for Kevin. I just saw it performed in concert last night. Too bad the Riviera is a hellhole.… Expand
  6. mickeyP
    Oct 22, 2008
    9
    Seemingly fragmented pieces may be perceived, which I credit to our over stimulation of traditional pop progressions (which I still Seemingly fragmented pieces may be perceived, which I credit to our over stimulation of traditional pop progressions (which I still can't resist), but upon further listening the progressions will make you shiver with excitement and awe. Instead of milking an amazing section for the extent of a song, there will be a line you hear once (leaving you craving for the rest of the song) and the progression mutates into and reveals a silent implication (of the previous section) through another awesome section of the song. Not since Squarepusher's Ultravisitor have I heard such beautiful transformations within a song (of contemporary music).… Expand
  7. Alex
    Oct 28, 2008
    8
    At first, I was somewhat turned off by this album. After a few listens the songs started catching on and now I love the album. It is At first, I was somewhat turned off by this album. After a few listens the songs started catching on and now I love the album. It is definitely a grower.… Expand
  8. bitching
    Oct 25, 2008
    1
    Terrible, one of the worst albums of the year.

See all 17 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

93
#93 Most Shared Album of 2008

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