Lady on the Cusp by Of Montreal–Album Review
Lady on the Cusp by Of Montreal–Album Review
Kevin Barnes, the mastermind behind the indie pop band Of Montreal, is an undisputed savant. A multi-instrumentalist who wrote, performed, produced, engineered, and mixed the group’s latest album Lady on the Cusp, Barnes is the only constant member of the band, who released their first album Cherry Peel in 1997. Since that record, a simple guitar-bass-drums-vocals affair, Of Montreal has expanded its sound exponentially. In fact, it wouldn’t be hyperbole to say that no other band outside of The Beatles has evolved more from their first record. Unfortunately, Lady on the Cusp brings that evolutionary streak to an abrupt halt.
On the short side at just 35 minutes, Lady on the Cusp, like most Of Montreal albums, has an air of erudition about it. Barnes has an impressive vocabulary and likes to show it off. While there’s nothing wrong with that, there needs to be a
It wouldn’t be hyperbole to say that no other band outside of The Beatles has evolved more from their first record.
purpose to it– a payoff for the listener, lest the witticism be merely a masturbatory act. The latest single off the album, “Soporific Cell”, uses a word in the title not employed by most songwriters, but to what end? The meaning behind its use, if there is any, is not clear or relatable.
Frankly, the lack of relatability is a problem with most of the songs on Lady on the Cusp. There are song titles (e.g., 2 Depressed 2 Fuck) and lyrics (e.g., “stepping on scorpions to lose my erection”) that pique one’s interest but don’t offer any satisfaction. The album, as a whole, simply doesn’t resonate.
Shervin Lainez
Musically, Lady on the Cusp sounds like the Of Montreal of recent years without adding anything new. The album doesn’t surprise or delight like most of the albums in the band’s rich discography. It sounds like a generic mishmash of the band’s previous material. While a healthy portion of the band’s oeuvre is neo-psychedelic, there’s very little that could be construed as such on Lady on the Cusp.
The album doesn’t surprise or delight like most of the albums in the band’s rich discography.
Of Montreal has many great (and psychedelic) albums. Among them are The Gay Parade, Satanic Panic in the Attic, The Sunlandic Twins, and Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer? You’re better off dusting off and playing one of those fantastic older albums. Should you decide to listen to the new one, be forewarned: Lady on the Cusp may cause you to lose your erection, scorpions or not.
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2 thoughts on “Lady on the Cusp by Of Montreal–Album Review”
Great review. You nailed it. Kevin Barnes major problem is selfishness. Yes he has psychological issues. That’s a well known fact..but he needs his mates from past albums. His music has become dull and cold. It’s just layers upon layers of synths. There are two songs on Cusp where guitars are actually used and they are good songs..Sadly guitar is only heard for three seconds in the intro of one song. I’m too lazy to go back to find the song and frankly going through the album is too painful.
Thank you for the comment, Mitchell. I found the album a bit painful too. Hopefully, Barnes gets back on track after this misstep.