They were among the second wave of groups to emerge from The Elephant 6 Recording Company and the group has a style that is typical of many Elephant 6 bands due to their interest in combining musical experimentation with the basic tenets of pop i.e. catchy melodies and sing-along choruses. The bandβs style has been influenced by conventional indie pop, psychedelic music, vaudeville and music hall on their earlier releases and by afrobeat, funk, krautrock and reggae on their recent releases.
The bandβs style has been known to change between albums. At first, the band embraced a more simple, quirky, lo-fi indie pop sound, which occasionally bordered on twee pop. The band was created by Kevin Barnes and named after a failed romance with a woman from Montreal, though the story changes in various interviews. Barnes was the only member of the βgroupβ prior to his relocation to Athens, Georgia. There, he met Derek Almstead, later of Circulatory System, M Coast, Elf Power etc., and Bryan Poole, who also performs as The Late B.P. Helium.
Together, they recorded their first album, Cherry Peel, as well as The Bird Who Continues to Eat the Rabbitβs Flower and The Bedside Drama: A Petite Tragedy.
A number of singles and a re-release of The Bird Who Continues to Eat the Rabbitβs Flower occurred before the release of the bandβs third album, The Gay Parade in 1999. With contributions from several members of the Elephant Six collective at the time, it also featured artwork from Kevinβs brother David Barnes, who would continue to do artwork for future albums.
This album marked that the band had moved to a fuller sound, which is also found on its follow-up, Coquelicot Asleep in the Poppies: A Variety of Whimsical Verse. These two albums contain more narrative lyrics, as opposed to the rather personal lyrical matter of those preceding it, and often imitating the style of old 1950s radio plays.
After production on The Gay Parade began in 1998, Poole left the band to focus on his duties with Elf Power, another Elephant Six band from Athens. Barnes also recruited Jamey Huggins and Dottie Alexander, who had been performing together as Lightning Bug vs. Firefly, to play various instruments. Derek moved from drums to bass. The band was joined soon after by Marshmallow Coastβs Andy Gonzales.
Following the release of The Gay Parade, the band signed with Kindercore Records, who would release a number of singles and compilations. It wasnβt until 2001 that Coquelicot Asleep in the Poppies: A Variety of Whimsical Verse would be released as a new album with original material. The album again featured contributions from across the Elephant 6 spectrum.
In 2002, Aldhils Arboretum was released, with a slightly different sound than its predecessors, as the songs were more directly structured. This album marks the beginning of the change in of Montrealβs sound, with more danceable rhythms than ever before, especially on the albumβs closer, βDeath Dance Of The Omipapas and Sons For Youβ. A successful tour ensued, including of Montrealβs first trip to the UK, along with a tour-only EP.
Kindercore Records would fold shortly after the release of Arboretum, and of Montrealβs status was also threatened. Kevin got married, and Andy and Derek left the band. Barnes, being uncomfortable with the unrest, as well as some divisions within the band, took to writing and performing their 2004 album Satanic Panic in the Attic mostly by himself. Released by Polyvinyl Records, it became one of their more successful efforts to that point. The 2004 tour saw The Late B.P. Helium (Bryan Poole) rejoin the band, with some bass played by Kevinβs partner Nina Barnes. The album marked a shift to something more electronic with traditional structures, to be further advanced in later albums and new songs. In their most recent releases and concerts, the band has fully embraced a sort of techno-pop glam image, with little of their previous incarnations surfacing. This style is featured in singles such as Disconnect the Dots. The style would continue to evolve into 2005βs The Sunlandic Twins, which was even more a Barnes solo effort. Recorded in Athens, with the exception of one track recorded in Norway, it was a much more pronounced electronic album. The album became a success, mostly due to the singles βSo Begins Our Alabeeβ and the MTV clip for βWraith Pinned to the Mist (and Other Games)β.
The band released several collections of singles in early 2006. Barnes recorded most of the bandβs 2007 release, Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?, by himself while living in Norway and Athens, Georgia. The switch to autobiographical themes of suicide, depression and isolation of the album was a direct product of his troubled personal life during that period.
of Montreal released Skeletal Lamping on October 21, 2008 followed by False Priest on September 14, 2010, Paralytic Stalks on February 7, 2012, and Lousy with Sylvianbriar on October 8, 2013. Aureate Gloom is scheduled for release by Polyvinyl Records on March 3, 2015.
Lyrically, their style has changed dramatically throughout the years. In the beginning, many songs were narratives of personal or humorous situations, such as βTim, I Wish You Were Born A Girlβ, from Cherry Peel. This style, however, changed with The Gay Parade, where many songs involve small narratives surrounding invented characters (in songs such as βJacques Lamureβ, βThe Autobiographical Grandpaβ, βMimi Merlotβ and βRose Robertβ). Others act as extracts from fictional conversations (βAdvice From a Divorced Gentleman to His Bachelor Friend Considering Marriageβ and βGood Morning Mr. Edmintonβ as examples). With Aldhils Arboretum came a slight return to the previous writing style, except following more poppy, classical lyrical structures (such as the use of choruses, which are generally absent in the Gay Parade/Coquelicot years). This style continued throughout Satanic Panic and The Sunlandic Twins to some extent. On the album Hissing Fauna: Are You The Destroyer? the lyrics are much more personal than previously used, with songs detailing emotions within the speaker.
Another unique quality of the band is the fusion of ostensibly gloomy lyrics with bouncy, upbeat melodies and hooks. On Aldhils Arboretum, for example, the lyrics for tracks like βDoing Nothingβ and βOld People in the Cemeteryβ focus on apathy, loneliness or death while being contrasted with cheerful instrumentation. Another example of this tendency is shown in their choice of covers; for example, Yoko Onoβs βI Felt Like Smashing my Head Through a Clear Glass Windowβ from The Bird Who Continues to Eat the Rabbitβs Flower.
True to the style of most Elephant 6 recording artists, of Montrealβs members have been in a variety of side projects and other bands:
The band itself has performed as the backing band for Marshmallow Coast on record and on tour.
My First Keyboard was the pseudonym used by Dottie Alexander to release the song βThe You I Createdβ on the Kindercore singles club. of Montreal acted as her backing band.
An Eluardian Instance
of Montreal Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know it's all about perceptions, and I accept you as my very first move
Oh, oh yeah
Oh yeah
I remember riding bikes on Coaster Island
Planning midnight raids on the Swedish plum trees
We climbed upon the rocky shore and freaked out
On the mountain goats, but they were not impressed,
Or scared of us
Do you remember, our last summer as independents? [Repeat: x4]
Do you remember, do you remember
I was a foreigner when you appeared
From the shadows at the motor club
I was a hater in the depths of an emotional hibernation
You sat me down, we had some drinks
And you told me your kinds of insanity
I asked your friend if you were available
She answered, 'no but yes oh well oh well yes and no
Now, I'm viewing my memory reel in reverse
Scrolling back to, come to feel your whether-than
Now, I'm noting the limits of our parabola
To predict, the points of thou-shalt-not-return
This inbreeding of ideals is intolerable
I wish David was here
Take your persecution complex and
I'm not gonna absorb your stress output any more
Oh don't you pimp out my heart
Don't you pimp out my heart
The lyrics of the song "An Eluardian Instance" by of Montreal are about remembering the past and the love that was once felt. The song talks about how memories are tied to certain places or moments, like riding bikes on Coaster Island and planning midnight raids on the Swedish plum trees. The lyrics also mention how the singer initially felt like a foreigner when they met their loved one but were eventually won over by their kindness and openness. The singer reminisces about their relationship and their last summer together, and how things have changed since then. There is a sense of sadness and regret in the lyrics, as the singer laments the fact that they will never be able to reclaim the past.
Line by Line Meaning
Does she know, does she know that I am not just searching for some first-time high?
I am not just in it for the thrill of something new and exciting, and I hope she understands that.
I know it's all about perceptions, and I accept you as my very first move
I am aware that everyone has their own interpretation of things, but I am willing to take the first step with you.
I remember riding bikes on Coaster Island
I recall a time when we rode bicycles on Coaster Island.
Planning midnight raids on the Swedish plum trees
We made plans to sneak out at midnight and raid the Swedish plum trees.
That summer, it was too cold to swim, so
During that summer, the water was too chilly to go for a swim, and therefore..
We climbed upon the rocky shore and freaked out
We explored the rocky shoreline and let ourselves go a little wild.
On the mountain goats, but they were not impressed,
We attempted to impress the mountain goats, but they were indifferent.
Or scared of us
Or they were not afraid of us at all.
Do you remember, our last summer as independents? [Repeat: x4]
Do you recall the final summer that we were free to make our own choices?
I was a foreigner when you appeared
When you came into my life, I felt like I was in unfamiliar territory.
From the shadows at the motor club
You emerged from the darkness of the motor club.
I was a hater in the depths of an emotional hibernation
At that time, I was a bitter person who had retreated into myself.
You sat me down, we had some drinks
You took the time to sit with me and share a drink.
And you told me your kinds of insanity
You confided in me and shared your own quirks and eccentricities.
I asked your friend if you were available
I inquired to your friend if you were unattached and potentially interested.
She answered, 'no but yes oh well oh well yes and no
She replied with some uncertainty that you were technically spoken for, but that it was complicated.
Now, I'm viewing my memory reel in reverse
I am looking back on my memories in reverse order.
Scrolling back to, come to feel your whether-than
Rewinding back to the point in time where I first began to realize my true feelings for you.
Now, I'm noting the limits of our parabola
I am recognizing the boundaries of our connection as if it was a curve with a highest point.
To predict, the points of thou-shalt-not-return
To anticipate the places where our paths will no longer intersect in the future.
This inbreeding of ideals is intolerable
The constant recycling of our similar concepts and beliefs is becoming too much for me to bear.
I wish David was here
I wish that David was present to provide his unique perspective.
Take your persecution complex and
Do not project your feelings of being judged or victimized onto me.
I'm not gonna absorb your stress output any more
I have reached my limit in terms of being the recipient of your anxiety and tension.
Oh don't you pimp out my heart
Do not try to manipulate or exploit my emotions for personal gain.
Don't you pimp out my heart
I am serious β do not exploit me emotionally in any way.
Lyrics Β© O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: KEVIN BARNES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
mpfmax0
Does she know, does she know that I am not just searching for some first-time high?
I know it's all about perceptions, and I accept you as my very first move
Oh, oh yeah
Oh yeah
I remember riding bikes on Coaster Island
Planning midnight raids on the Swedish plum trees
That summer, it was too cold to swim, so
We climbed upon the rocky shore and freaked out
On the mountain goats, but they were not impressed,
Or scared of us
Do you remember, our last summer as independents? [Repeat: x4]
Do you remember, do you remember
I was a foreigner when you appeared
From the shadows at the motor club
I was a hater in the depths of an emotional hibernation
You sat me down, we had some drinks
And you told me your kinds of insanity
I asked your friend if you were available
She answered, 'no but yes oh well oh well yes and no
Now, I'm viewing my memory reel in reverse
Scrolling back to, come to feel your whether-than
Now, I'm noting the limits of our parabola
To predict, the points of thou-shalt-not-return
FreedomDaveX
The sequence of Touched Something's Hollow and An Eluardian Instance in the middle of Georgie's complex depravity really adds to how much a masterpiece Skeletal Lamping is.
Jennifer Thompson
THIS. This album is actually perfect ;;it's rare to find a purely perfect album but this one...FLAWLESS and brilliant
Alvaro Plasencia
Barnes is definitely one of the best,innovative, underrated songwriters of our generation.
Eric Sartor
Nope. I'm probably the most average, straight, drug free guy you'll meet, and Of Montreal is my favourite band. They're just amazing <3
Armchair Praxis
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The Chief
Im the opposite but of Montreal can get me through withdrawal β€οΈ
Cascadian Crow
i constantly come back here, songs like these pull me back to times where i felt more things.
nc
<3
Hurrchan
nice pfp
Brandon Dean
right there with you