After 2004's very 60's-sounding Satanic Panic in the Attic, indie rock's prolific Of Montreal has returned with yet another full length, titled The Sunlandic Twins. This time around, most of the Zombies and Beach Boys influence has nearly vanished in favor of disco beats and synthesizers. It's not a complete turnaround, though; although they do experiment with new sounds, much of the album is still gloriously happy and catchy.
In fact, in listening to the first few songs of the album, it almost sounds as if The Sunlandic Twins is a sequel to Disconnect the Dots. Kicking off with 'Requiem O.M.M.2,' the first half is full of Zombies-like melodies and vibrant guitar lines combined with the continuous bass-drum kick that makes up all too much of today's rock music. It all comes together for a poppy, danceable section of the album that's upbeat enough to make it perfect for playing in the summer.
Once the album gets to 'Knight Rider,' however, it changes the style and overall sound completely. The second half is much more experimental (yet still structured), and is deeply textured with strings, choir-like vocals, and even occasional IDM beats. The melodies are still there, but most of the backing music comes off as a cross between The Zombies, the Cocteau Twins, and Aphex Twin. The sound is unique and perhaps even daring, and it adds up to a darkly beautiful whole that ranks among their best work.
The two halves of The Sunlandic Twins combine for a varied whole that's even greater than the sum of its parts, although the songs could also stand alone quite easily. It's not as instantly accessible as Disconnect the Dots, but after a few listens it easily proves to be one of the best albums of the year.
Christian Halley
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