A great band is under people's noses, and they're so money, people don't even know it. One of their songs is on TV all of the time, yet it falls upon deaf ears as the latest commercial jingle (for Outback Steakhouse, no less). "Let's Go Outback Tonight" is a rework of Of Montreal's song "Wraith Pinned to the Mist (and Other Games)". With the catchy baseline and Kevin Barnes' voice making this a soothing, relaxing track, it came as no surprise to hear it on TV. It was the perfect jingle track. Of course, with the jingle, many don't even realize that there is another track behind the song. And that’s a shame, because Of Montreal is arguably one of the best bands out there right now.

Of Montreal is a pop band from Athens, Georgia. A good pop band is easy on the ears and fun to sing along to. Of Montreal achieves this sound and does so much more with it. With a vocabulary that would make an SAT prep teacher blush, not to mention imagery that paints better pictures than most guys with the benefit of canvas and brush; Kevin Barnes writes lyrics that can express everything from extreme happiness to gripping depression. Listening to Of Montreal is a poignant experience, the listener is instantly sucked into the mood of the song. What’s even more mind-blowing about Barnes’ ability is that even his sadder songs are enjoyable to listen to, no matter the mood.

Of Montreal has been compared to The Mountain Goats and The Shins. To me, the Mountain Goats sound like a stripped down version of Of Montreal. The singers sound very close, but Of Montreal's sound is much richer. Of Montreal also has the ease of listening like The Shins, and the joy from the music is easily tangible. However, they still are not good barometers for describing how Of Montreal sounds. Perhaps if you take the buoyancy of The Shins sound, the singing of The Mountain Goats and add a psychedelic aspect to the mix, then you would have something close to Of Montreal.

Though it's hard to describe the sound, I can definitely say this band knows how to entertain. One Saturday after seeing Les Savy Fay, Blonde Redhead, LCD Soundsystem, and Arcade Fire on Randall’s Island, I was fortunate enough to see Grand Buffet, MGMT, and Of Montreal. I was immediately blown away. The band truly has fun on stage, getting the crowd to dance and frolic gleefully like sugar high five year olds. There are costumes, Nerf footballs thrown into the crowd and staged fights between ninjas and tigers (not ACTUAL tigers and ninjas, mind you). It is a truly a unique experience and was the most entertaining concert I’ve ever been to.

I would definitely recommend checking them out on their website http://www.ofmontreal.net/ or MySpace www.myspace.com/ofmontreal. Be sure to check out "So Begins Our Alabee" which drags you in with the vocals over the synthesizer. The song picks up in speed with some drums and guitar work, keeping the listener enthralled. Then Barnes sings lines like "I've been a gloomy Petrarch with a quill as weepy Dido," such creative lines over such great music leaves room for personal interpretation. Also listen to "Bunny Ain't No Kind of Rider" which highlights Of Montreal's more psychedelic sound, one of the reasons they are such a good and distinct listen. The eleven minute epic, “The Past is a Grotesque Animal” has the lyrics ("Somehow you've red rovered the Gestapo circling my heart") and the music (heavy crescendos that uplift the song, and make the tension palpable) to make it one of the few eleven minute songs that is enjoyable the whole way through.

Sunlandic Twins, their 2005 release is a great introduction to the happy, poppy qualities of the band, while their EP Icons, Abstract Thee showcases some of Barnes’ heavier songs. Both are quality listens and a great introduction to the Of Montreal discography.

Dan Tintle, 19, is a sophomore attending Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY.; He's a psych major who enjoys music and hockey. This is his first time writing for an ezine.

Reggie's note: Also check out Kevin Barnes’ article Selling Out Isn't Possible