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Fun Fun Fun Fest review: Of Montreal
There aren’t a lot of bands that can close their set by thanking their ninjas and Santa Claus, but that’s Of Montreal for you.
The Athens, Ga.-based art rockers are famous for blending a basic respect for the conventions of pop — catchy melodies and memorable choruses — with a smattering of influences ranging from glam rock to vaudeville to afrobeat. But they’re even more famous for the live shows, with bizarre outfits and guest appearances by dancers in black leotards, centaur costumes, elf costumes and a raft of other odd uniforms. Throw in a projection screen with trippy imagery — including multicolored images of Captain America and frequent appearances by flashing cats — and you have a spectacle few contemporary bands can top.
Front man Kevin Barnes took to the stage with a peppy and fun rendition of “Mingusings,” a track off last year’s “Skeletal Lampings” before transitioning into that album’s “Id Engager,” which also brought the first appearance of leotard and gold-mask clad dancers.
Those dancers disappeared for dance anthem “For Our Elegant Case” — after firing a volley of streamers into the crowd — but it wasn’t the last appearance of ludicrous on-stage antics. Dancers in pig costumes, chicken masks, a Santa Claus outfit and a surprisingly elaborate centaur get-up all appeared in later songs.
And while the spectacle of such flights of fancy might be a kick, Of Montreal have the songwriting and chops to make such events a little distracting. Barnes is a skilled guitarist and front man, and each member of the band has the technical savvy to play excellent pop rock tunes, occasionally making you wish they’d dial down the antics and focus more on the music.
When Of Montreal abandons their obligation to silliness, as with a straightforward but energetic take on Bat For Lashes’ “Daniel,” the band truly gets a chance to shine. They wouldn’t be Of Montreal without a touch of the bizarre, but a little bit less insanity might actually go a long way toward affirming the band’s equally accomplished musical compositions and instrumental skills, and not merely their affinity for performers in elf costumes.
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