of Montreal has been on a tear as of late: releasing two acclaimed albums (2004's Satanic
Panic In The Attic and 2005's The
Sunlandic Twins), all the while spreading its dance party-inducing live shows to the
masses.
Now, with Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?, of Montreal has created its masterpiece. It is an irresistible and remarkable album, sounding like a
logical extension of the erratic indie-disco sounds of The Sunlandic Twins.
However, Hissing
Fauna is also the most personal of Montreal album to date, with Kevin Barnes, lead of Montreal songwriter, pouring tremendous amounts of emotion, heartbreak, frustration and
elation into its twelve tracks.
Written and recorded primarily during what he
calls "an insane year," Hissing
Fauna sees Barnes adopt a new writing style. It's an unabashedly
autobiographical attempt from a songwriter whose early material tended towards
characters and story-songs.
Barnes continues down the whimsical pop funk path,
while changing up its lyrical scope; and Hissing
Fauna balances its poppy nature while showcasing brutal and unflinching
honesty.
