Of Montreal - Lousy With Sylvianbriar

If you pop in Of Montreal’s Lousy With Sylvianbriar expecting to hear a cacophony of psychedelic sounds painting a vortex-like soundscape, which has come to characterize their last few releases then, be warned, you will be disappointed. This is a much more subdued, cleaner and rock infused album. While Lousy With Sylvianbriar still contains the whirling nuances that one identifies with Of Montreal, Barnes and company chose to step in different directions as they include sounds and textures more associated with the likes of the Grand Ole Opry than any psychedelic scene. 

The musical elements of this LP have been pushed ever so slightly to the background, creating a space that allows for the vocals and lyrics to be highlighted.

“Fugitive Air” glides open the album doors offering up smooth notes of slide guitar that ring through before helping to sandwich the vocals between the bass and drums.

“Belle Glade Missionaries” struts along with a steady beat and an infectious guitar riff, which along with blasts of organ propels us to a spiral windy ending. The tranquil and beautiful “Sirens of Your Toxic Spirits” and “Amphibian” create a nice change of pace allowing for the vocals to be front and centre.

“Hegira migr” offers up a delicious plate of upbeat classic rock n’ roll and rhythm- and-blues, a guitar heavy track surrounded by a whooshing organ that would have Mick Jagger and Keith Richards salivating for seconds.

This album didn’t blow me away when I first hit play; to me at times it felt as if it dawdled along. I was almost inclined to dismiss it. However, I found the more I listened to it, the more it grew on me and the more fun I had with it. There are catchy melodies, an old time rock n’ roll feel as well as a sprinkling of that Nashville twang, all of which makes this album well worth a listen.