Of Montreal: Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?

Label: Polyvinyl

Mad genius Kevin Barnes and his revolving cast of Of Montreal bandmates shed their twee trappings and “went disco” with 2004’s Satanic Panic in the Attic – and thankfully they never looked back. Two albums later, Barnes and Co. have created their masterpiece: while Satanic Panic and its follow-up, The Sunlandic Twins, both had more brilliant moments than missteps, both records seem one-dimensional compared with Of Montreal’s latest effort. In the band’s bio, Barnes acknowledges that Hissing Fauna is about his post-Sunlandic depression and identity crisis, during which he left his wife and newborn baby for several months. The tension between Hissing Fauna’s upbeat drive and often dark lyrics, between the party-anthem choruses and the alarming verses, make the record more than a collection of cleverly written songs (which, from a master like Barnes, would certainly be enough); Of Montreal’s greatest achievement yet is a gorgeous, engrossing exploration of human frailty, betrayal, and fear. And you can dance to it. (Anna)