Of Montreal — Skeletal Lamping

In theory, Of Montreal are the perfect band. They combine psychedelic art rock with poppy melodies and hooks. And in reality, they're pretty damn close to being a perfect band. Skeletal Lamping, the band's ninth full-length, shows the band at the top of their game. Lead singer and songwriter Kevin Barnes was quoted as saying that Skeletal Lamping is "my attempt to bring all of my puzzling, contradicting, disturbing, humorous... fantasies, ruminations and observations to the surface, so that I can better dissect and understand their reason for being in my head." He couldn't be more accurate. The record's ability to shift mood-to-mood while maintaining a pop sensibility and identity is hauntingly mesmerizing. The album feels like a quick 15 tracks, even with the 55 minute running time. Kevin Barnes isn't afraid to try new things, and the band's dip into new styles (funk anyone) has helped keep Of Montreal fresh.