Of Montreal — Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?

Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?

Polyvinyl/Sonic Unyon

Bryan Borzykowski (CHARTattack)

01/23/2007 3:01pm

It's hard to believe that Athens, Georgia's Of Montreal are turning 10 this year. Their first album, released back in '97, was an understated pop record that was embraced by Elephant Six nuts and a few in-the-know music fanatics. With the release of 2005's Sunlandic Twins and the strength of the insanely infectious single "Wraith Pinned To The Mist And Other Games," Of Montreal finally got the wider recognition they deserved. Now the indie rock darlings return with their 10th release, Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer? While the group are more confident these days, they've always stayed true to their Beach Boys-inspired pop sound. Hissing Fauna is full of infectious melodies, fucked-up chord changes and a thick pile of keys, guitars and vocals. It's a little more frantic and slightly edgier than their last disc, but all of Of Montreal's familiar flamboyancy is in full view. Whether it's better than Sunlandic is up for debate. Regardless, Hissing Fauna shows a band who are constantly evolving and challenging pop music's constructs.

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