museless aiming

Of Montreal

Thanks to Tommy for introducing me to Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer? (2007). I've been listening to that and The Gay Parade (1999) recently. I think the former is a great album, in the vein of Dylan's Blood on the Tracks, Lou Reed's Berlin, maybe Springsteen's The River. If it's not quite as universal of those more masterful relationship-breakdown albums, it's more present.

The Gay Parade is likewise impressive, although I must admit on first listen it pretty much sounded like 'Good Day Sunshine' extended to album length, with some 'Maxwell's Silver Hammer' thrown in (especially in 'Old Familiar Way' and 'The Miniature Philosopher'). 'Tulip Baroo' sounds like 'Your Mother Should Know.'

Now that I've been listening to the Kinks I realize how much it's influenced by their music, especially Something Else by the Kinks. The 'David Watts' character sketch, simple as it is, certainly had an influence on 'Jacques Lamure' and 'My Favorite Boxer' I'd say.

Just got back from a concert of theirs, they played most of Hissing Fauna, some Satanic Panic, a lot I didn't know. Three covers, surprisingly 'Sweet Child o' Mine' (totally out of left field), The Kinks' 'All Day and All of the Night' (confirming my opinion of influence, but not the song I would have expected), and, much to my joy, David Bowie's 'Moonage Daydream', which I had listened to earlier today.

Also, since everyone thinks all my musical connections are insane and since it doesn't matter whether they're sane or not, I'd just like to say that the beginning of Of Montreal's 'Gronlandic Edit'

I am satisfied hiding in our friends apartment
Only leaving once a day to buy some groceries

reminds me of the Talking Heads' 'Life During Wartime'

You oughta know not to stand by the window
Somebody might see you up there
I got some groceries, some peanut butter
To last a couple of days

Tenuous? Naturally...

Anyway, I've been listening to Satanic Panic in the Attic which is growing on me. I sort of wonder whether "City Bird" isn't in imitation of Elliott Smith -- although perhaps they both so strongly imitate the Beatles that it doesn't matter whether it is or not.

: music : : reviews :
Tue May 8 19:22:19 BST 2007