The Early Four Track Recordings

Of Montreal (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 7, 2006)
• Original Release Date: January 16, 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Polyvinyl Records
• ASIN: B000E6GC48
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #172,182 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". With each track incorporating Dustin Hoffman in its title and artwork featuring images of psychotic children in chains, mole-birds, and bizarre skull creatures, "The Early Four Track Recordings" is one of Of Montreal's more unusual albums. The songs here constitute the early four-track work of Kevin Barnes, predating Of Montreal's inception as a full band. Formerly on Kindercore, this record is a comprehensive work that provides insight and depth into Of Montreal's early development and songwriting. "As the sappiest, most sugary, and probably most talented group on Kindercore's roster, Kevin Barnes and company have managed to pump out some of the most sickly sweep pop music in my collection" - Pitchfork.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It took a little bit to grow on me, June 28, 2008

By	Zelie Nic (Pittsburgh) - See all my reviews

but I like it just as much as any Of Montreal album. I don't judge these as Of Montreal songs. To me, these all come from a time before then. The lyrical style is different. Listen to those first few tracks on here; it sounds as if Kevin's trying to get as much out of his mouth as he can.

The album's amateur song is to be enjoyed. I'm not sure when in the world the musicians where at the time of these recordings, but it reminds me of stuff (quality-wise) I use to make with my friends in a basement (with the four-track). The are experimental, be it in the lyrics, the music, or both.

I really enjoy the songs especially those with the lines "The telephone only lets me borrow the comfort of your voice", "Creampuff wedding of two" and "I'm not getting married without a bottle in both hands." Because of all the Dustin Hoffman titles (obviously chosen after the fact) these serve as de facto titles.

You might be initially turned off in thinking this is another Of Montreal album, but give it a chance because this shows just how much Of Montreal has grown in the past ten years. If they went from this to where they're at today, then who knows what further bounds they'll travel before its all over?

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I love this album, November 8, 2007

By	W. Stubler "foucault's pendulumn" (Ithaca, NY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Of the many Of Montreal albumns I own, I find myself listening to this one the most. The songs hear are raw and unadorned, made minimal studio equipment (read: a four track) and simple instrumentation. It's this quality I like most about these pieces because they convey so much emotion in this fuzzy and crackly state. Kevin Barnes has a very passionate voice that is often hidden by the layers of psychedelic instrumentation and vocal harmony we see on his other albums. Here, his voice and kitschy lyrics take front and center. Here we have simplistic but beautiful guitar melodies and supporting instruments that sound suspiciously DIY. If you like this sort of thing or just really like Kevin Barnes and his whimsical and dreamy music, then definitely check this out. My favorite track is "Dustin Hoffman becomes indignant and wets himself" for its romantic melancholy: "I know this kid with really long hair that likes to kiss you in public places... I'm not like him, I don't speak well... " he sings with this lazy voice that is touchingly genuine. His jealous lyrics are followed by odd guitar experimentation, a brief piper at the gates of dawn moment, which comes across as some sort of storm from inside of him he had to unleash.

It's funny because the song titles tell a very bizarre story about Dustin Hoffman. It makes me think of "I heart huckabees" which I have no doubt Barnes must've enjoyed. Like Huckabees, Of Montreal is very whimsical and cerebral. Here we see a young, passionate, and romantic Barnes, more of an early Brian Wilson just getting into the psychedlic.

3.0 out of 5 stars Dustin Hoffman, April 11, 2006

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

Dustin Hoffman. Dustin Hoffman. Dustin Hoffman. Why did Kevin Barnes name every song on "The Early Four Track Recordings" after Dustin Hoffman? Be that as it may, this collection of Of Montreal's early work seems a bit cobbled together and dusty, but the band's charm shines through in some of the songs.

As I said before, each song is named after Dustin Hoffman supposedly doing something, usually connected with bathing. (The weirdest title is "Dustin Hoffman's Wife Makes A Sarcastic Remark, Cuts The Head Off A Duck, Places It Where The Tub Was And Begins To Growl").

What follows is mostly a collection of guitar pop and ballads, with piano and some muffled percussion in the background -- there's a country flavor to "Dustin Hoffman Quits Bathroom And Climbs A Tree," and an experimental flavor to "Dustin Hoffman's Wife Makes...", where a kazoo plays half the song to a carnival tune.

The title "Early Four Track Recordings" seems almost like an apology for the lesser quality of these songs. They were recorded before Of Montreal became the semi-big indie band that they are today, and it shows. The quality of the tape-to-CD transfer isn't that great, for one thing -- "Dustin Hoffman Feigns Ignorance Of Missing Bathtub" sounds like Barnes is singing with his head inside a bag.

For another, this CD simply doesn't have a great deal of the whimsical joy and sorrow that their later songs have. That isn't surprising, since the band was still getting its footing. But in some songs you can hear bells, kazoos, and a carnival tune that sounds like a circus gone amuck. In songs like this, Kevin Barnes' poppy madness is in full swing.

Beneath the slightly fuzzy sound is some really solid instrumentation, pairing two of Barnes' favorite instruments -- guitar and piano -- together, although don't expect too many experimental flourishes. All the strangeness can be found in the songwriting. "Let's make a pact/allow me to dream," he says, sounding sincere.

A rough and raw collection of ultra-early work, Of Montreal's "Early Four Track Recordings" is a very flawed but also enjoyable little collection. Worth checking out, if you're a fan.