Of Montreal have been one of indie rock’s most prolific– and most whimsical– mainstays for quite some time. The recent release of their newest LP, Paralytic Stalks, marks the band’s eleventh full-xlength album within a span of fifteen years. During that time, we have been witness to the personal and artistic evolutions of frontman Kevin Barnes, Of Montreal’s leader and founding father. Through his records, Barnes has dealt with issues of unrequited love (1997’s Cherry Peel,) created a Ziggy-like alter ego (2008’s Skeletal Lamping,) and even suffered through a mental breakdown (the total genius of 2007’s Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?). It seems that Barnes is at his best when he’s wearing his heart on his glittery sleeve, spilling secrets as if his audience were his own personal therapists. If you agree, then unfortunately, you won’t find that Paralytic Stalks has very much to say at all.

Opening track “Gelid Ascent,” with its slow, eerie build and trippy, mixed-up psych-rock vibe, certainly feels promising, but what comes next is a total let down. On “Spiteful Intervention,” Barnes sings, in an unusually aggressive tone, “It’s fucking sad that we need a tragedy to occur to gain a fresh perspective in our lives.” It sounds more like an excerpt from an angry journal entry than anything we’re used to from Of Montreal; despite the fact that Barnes has traveled to dark places before, his lyrics are missing their usual irony and wit, as if he has quit trying to charm us altogether and decided to go straight for the jugular.

Not to say that Paralytic Stalks doesn’t have any songs that you can get behind; “Dour Percentage” has a nice, melodic 70s feel, and “Ye, Renew the Plaintiff” is experimental without going over the top. It’s just that the good moments are much too far and few between. The majority of the album is disconnected, fragmented, and jam-packed with so many different sounds, influences, and quick changes that it’s impossible to keep track– or to stay interested. I keep thinking that Barnes is trying to totally blow my mind, but he seems to be trying just a little too hard. On the other hand, maybe he could have, if only I didn’t know how great Of Montreal could actually be. When a band releases an album as brilliant as Hissing Fauna, it’s a hard act for the albums released after it to follow, and Paralytic Stalks just can’t measure up.

Kevin Barnes’ relationship with his listeners is a special one, but does that mean that after Paralytic Stalks, they will want to break up? I don’t think so. But maybe a little time apart is in order (the same could be said for the band itself, who should maybe try for slightly longer distances between records.) It’s unfortunate, but only natural that a career so long and storied is bound to have a few missteps. Paralytic Stalks is a bump in the road for a band who should still have plenty of smooth rides ahead.

2 / 5 bars

Wintered Debts by of Montreal

Guest Post by Loren D