So much more than Outback Steakhouse ads

With an already impressive discography that includes upward of ten albums, Of Montreal is nowhere near becoming another “who was that by again?” group, as is the common fate that Elephant 6 Recording Company bands usually endure. This Thursday at the Roseland, Of Montreal is going to be giving yet another taste of its long-acquired afro-beat funk rhythms to a willing crowd.  

Supposedly named after a failed romance with a woman who hailed from Montreal, Canada, founder Kevin Barnes and his ever-growing indie-pop band have already established themselves as formidable musicians. Rising out of Athens, Ga., these glam rockers have had quite a history.

Since the group was formed in 1996, the style of its music have undergone a drastic change. From its first tunes, which encapsulated more of an acoustic balance, Of Montreal seems to have outgrown those ways and have been grooving amongst a more electronic rhythm. 

Safe to say, since the band released their 2004 album “Satanic Panic in the Attic,” the group’s first record release with Polyvinyl Records and their sixth album as a whole, Kevin Barnes’ music has drastically taken off in terms of popularity. Serving as a pinnacle to the group’s more successful times, 2004 was a time in which the group had strayed away from relying on organic sounds, shifting into more of an electronic mindset using drum machines and synthesizers.

As many have warned show-goers in the past about the dangers of cruising to Of Montreal shows (thinking back to the infamous Las Vegas show in 2007 where Kevin Barnes performed a good number of songs completely naked in front of a screen displaying pornography) nobody knows what to expect coming from an Of Montreal show. Especially since the group is touring around to promote their tenth album that had come out in late 2010: “False Priest.”

Besides the group’s random cover songs (Yoko Ono’s “I Feel like Smashing My Head Through a Clear Glass Window”) as well as their costume changes and naked escapades, their impressive musical track record is the real deal. What many fans hold dear with this eclectic electric group is its sublime approach toward conducting music. Gloomy and morbid narrative portrayals sung happily to upbeat, uplifting melodies (as heard in “Doing Nothing” and “Old People in the Cemetery”) seem to still be a common denominator with Of Montreal’s M.O.

Where the band lies now seems to be only described as quite an unpredicted yet predictable spot that any indie/pop/rock bands rising out of their electronic induced coma would be in: returning to semi-old ways, but featuring interesting artists that seem only like providing another off-color raise of the eyebrow to the palette. As mentioned before, Of Montreal had released their last album in late 2010 dubbed: “False Priest.” The same guy who produced albums for Kanye West and Fiona Apple—Grammy nominated Jon Brion—brought the album to life. He’s recorded at Ocean Way Recording, made famous by hosting previous stars such as Frank Sinatra and Ray Charles.

The album is said to have been a marked change for the group making their way back to organic sounds, which is most likely what will be shown at the Roseland this Thursday. If you show up you might even get a glimpse of Beyonce’s sister Solange Knowles, who is said to have made a cameo appearance on the album. I mean, even if Solange Knowles isn’t there, I’m sure it will still be an epic display of what the band has grown into thus far. ?