The Bedside Drama: A Petite Tragedy

Of Montreal (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 7, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Polyvinyl Records
• ASIN: B000E6GC3O
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #101,211 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Athens' Of Montreal has seen a resurgent interest in their back catalog following the overwhelming success of their most recent two albums: "Satanic Panic In The Attic" and "The Sunlandic Twins". This, their second full-length, features uncredited appearances by members of Neutral Milk Hotel and The Late B.P. Helium. It was the first in which Of Montreal built characters around concepts. Though not as developed as later concept albums by the group, it's infused with Vaudevillian elements that foreshadowed Of Montreal's break-out releases, "The Gay Parade" and "Coquelicot Asleep In The Poppies: A Variety Of Whimsical Verse". This record "marked a crucial stage in the evolution from the lo-fi garage pop of 'Cherry Peel' to the ambitious rock carnival of 'The Gay Parade' and cemented Of Montreal's status as one of the most creatively relevant groups of the late '90s" - All Music Guide.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very petite tragedy, April 11, 2006

By	E. A Solinas "ea_solinas" (MD USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

It takes a very brave rock frontman to sing, "I am a happy yellow bumble bee/I fly around the flowers and trees." But Kevin Barnes is not an ordinary frontman. Of Montreal is not an ordinary band. And "The Bedside Drama: A Petite Tragedy" is an extraordinary concept album, both whimsical and poignant.

The album seems to follow a love affair: people being attracted to each other, falling in love and getting that glorious buzz from it, becoming close and comfortable, but ("Only losing something beautiful could make a person feel this way") finally splitting in heartbreak. At first it seems rather sugary, but repeated listens show that it's actually very wrenching.

It opens with a bouncy, buzzy ode called "One of a Very Few of a Kind," followed by the chirrupy "Happy Yellow Bumblebee." The narrator vows "I will be a good boy and never tell you the bad things that I think about." They head to the sensuous "Honeymoon in San Francisco," followed by a string of cutesy little songs that talk about "my panda bear" and "my cutie pie."

But then things go downhill, starting with the poignant "Please Tell Me So." Then he admits, "But sweetheart, incredibly it's true..../that your cutie pie has forgotten what he saw in you," but then pleads with her not to go. The narrative ends with heartbreak, flipping through photographs and nursing his pain.

"Bedside Drama: A Petite Tragedy" is well-named -- it's a tragedy, but a very personal, petite one. Anyone who has ever fallen in love, but had that love fall through, will see a bit of themselves in this album. It's less goofy and more serious than Of Montreal's other albums, and it suits them well.

The music is relatively low on the weirdness scale. It sounds like a blend of the Beatles and Beach Boys -- mellow and sweet. Most of it was guitars and piano, with sweeps of organ, harmonica, tambourines and the occasional horn. But sometimes we get stuff like the representation of the "Couple's First Kiss": party horns, carnival sounds and a sweet music box melody.

Of Montreal's "Bedside Drama: A Petite Tragedy" is overshadowed by other brilliant albums. But this one is psychedelic pop for lovers nursing a broken heart.

0 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars can you smell that?, April 21, 2007

By	kaleb of sctas.com (500 Miles Underground) - See all my reviews

IT'S EASY TO SLEEP WHEN YOU'RE DEAD

It's easy to sleep when you're dead but you're unable to touch your loved ones, give them kisses or see them smile at you
It's easy to sleep when you're dead but you give up your whole life's work
and you can't revers the bad things that you did
While alive you still have hope that when you die you are dead
and you know for sure if it's better, if it's better, if it's better
I hope it's better
It's easy to sleep when you're dead
Though you can't feel the warmth of summer, smell the flowers of spring, or drink cider in the fall
It's easy to sleep when you're dead though it's too late to say the words you wanted them to hear when you didn't have the nerve.
You get to spend eternity thinking about your life.
Think of all the time that is. Eternity is forever, is forever, is forever. What will I do forever?
At this time there is nothing you can change. You can only sit and watch and hope they understand
It's easy to sleep when you're dead. Cause there isn't anything else to do but sleep. I feel sorry for the dead.

now you should HEAR it.