Events

[INDIE] A little history: Of Montreal (which is actually stylized with a lowercase ‘o’ if we let the band have its way) evolved from being part of the Elephant 6 Collective (a Colorado-based family of bands formed in the 1990s that shared a reverence for 1960s influences) to its current five-piece incarnation over the course of 13 albums in almost 20 years and about as many lineup shifts. Now on Polyvinyl (with label mates Deerhoof), they’re touring in support of Aureate Gloom, out late last winter, which exudes a strong whiff of 1970s Lower Manhattan. Frontman and songwriter Kevin Barnes holed up in New York City to write a portion of the songs and to attempt to capture that (long-lost) Bowery vibe in the wake of breaking up with is wife of 11 years. The resulting album, whose title paraphrases roughly as “ornamental beauty in the darkness,” is the sound of a 40-year-old man handling loss the way many people do: acting out, sowing some oats ,and reveling in the past—pushing himself to move on despite the very normal desire to wallow. It’s a breakup album that strives to get over itself, not to mention one of the more compelling chapters in a prolific body of work that constantly changes hats without sacrificing quality. Of Montreal visit Babeville’s Asbury Hall on Monday, September 14 with Tallahassee young’uns Surface to Air Missive opening at 8pm.