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I’ve spent the past several days listening to Of Montreal’s new album, Lousy With Sylvianbriar, on repeat and just really enjoying that principal member Kevin Barnes gave up the Prince ghost and decided to make some more charming, jangly 60s pop via Athens, Georgia, circa the late 90s. All the old influences are there: David Bowie, Ray Davies. Conspicuously absent, however, are the rest of the band’s longtime members, including Bryan Poole (aka the Late B.P. Helium) and keyboardist/perennial fan favorite Dottie Alexander. A friend and Athenian shared with me an unconfirmed rumor about the band’s unceremonious breakup at Barnes’s hand, which would be a real shock because musicians are never egoists or assholes.
“Amphibian Days” is today’s 12 O’Clock Track. An added gift: Lou Reed’s “A Gift.” Of Montreal plays Lincoln Hall on Wednesday.
