of Montreal – Lousy with Sylvianbriar

Prolific glam-funk outfit of Montreal are giving us their twelfth studio album in Lousy With Sylvianbriar, an expectedly whimsical and seductive offering. Like much of the band’s back catalogue, the record mixes a pallette of styles, ranging from an indie quirkiness à la Spinto Band or early OK Go, to the honest vocal harmonies of The Beatles or Elliot Smith circa Figure 8, to a rockier, bass-led sound elsewhere.

Triumph of Disintegration boasts a sparky and upbeat backing redolent of Spoon, and the salty cowboy twang of Amphibian Days and Hegira Émigré proves this psychedelic parade is a changeable one, albeit less theatrical than before. Some tracks do suffer for their simplicity, alas; occasionally the album idles where it should jive. But, while very much a far cry from the skits and glitter of earlier work, Lousy... is an analogue, uncluttered experience with a welcome lack of frills. [George Sully]