Of Montreal are not a novelty act. They are musical visionaries. With "The Gay Parade", they have crafted what is easily one of the best "concept" albums since Jethro Tull's "A Passion Play". It's just a mark of how times have changed to realize that 30 years ago, "Passion Play" was a #1 record and "The Gay Parade" will probably only be heard by a few thousand people. Frustratiing, huh?

Anyway, be glad that you are one of the few that cares enough to discover this record. Is it odd? you bet. Quirky, weird, psychedelic. Probably. Cute? No. That does it a disservice. It is a brillinatly conceived song-cycle of character sketches. The characters are, of course, an eccentric lot. A guy obsessed with a certain mean boxer, a widower with his "dogs for friends" awaiting death, a French firemen pining for heroism, an ecstatic dude waxing poetic about mowing the lawn while his wife knits. While the vocals approach giddy and cartoonish, the songs themselves can range for hilarious to rather disturbing--- often with one turn-of-phrase. There is indeed a intangible saddness looming over this private world, despite the Crayola surroundings.

The sound of the record is fascinating. The best thing about bands like Of Montreal, Olivia Tremor Control, etc. is that they know exactly the sonic landscape they wish to create and accomplish it with minimalist recording technology. The result is a sonic juggernaut of an album that sounds at once high-concept and low-fidelity... hiss, tape saturation, drops-outs--- all part of the sound. And it's damn near brilliant. Horns, tape manipulations, choirs of mice, saws, kazoos, plastic guitars--- many of the instruments barely in tune.

To my ear, it sounds like a benediction.

At the end of the record Kevin Barnes advises his listeners that they now know the way into the world of "The Gay Parade" and can return any time they like.... Can't I just set up camp and *stay*, Kev?

When I first bought this album, I was a little annoyed by it. It is EXTREMELY cute, and very fast, a little like Barney on amphetamines. But then I gave it a chance, and I absolutely, 100%, love this album.

THE GAY PARADE is not as silly or shallow as it sounds at first. It really deals with a lot of issues of issues we all deal with, such as feelings of inferiority (on "Hector Comacho"), or else just figuring out what is really meaningful in your life (on the opening track.) Yes, I know, when you hear the album you'll think I may have read way too much into what sounds like an out-of-control carnival. But there is definitely a dark side to this album. This dark side is subtle, but if it weren't, it really would have ruined the album's overall innocent and gleeful tone.

Plus, Of Montreal are great musicians and singers. Their harmonies are perfect, and Kevin Barnes's voice is just loaded with charm. And the guitars, drums, and all the other jillion instruments are all perfectly produced; there's a lot of sound here, but it's not at all extraneous. It is really a great album just on the musical level.

If I still haven't convinced you to buy THE GAY PARADE, then I just have to say "Nickee Coco and the Invisible Tree" is one of the most joyful and hilarious songs around. It alone would be a great album!

You don't hear much joy and happiness in music these days, and THE GAY PARADE is a great place to start.

When I first heard Gay Parade I was a bit unsure what to think. They were songs that I quite enjoyed immediately (My Favorite Boxer, Old Familiar Way) and some that made me feel like pushing the Skip Track button (The March of the Gay Parade). The second time I started to enjoy every song more and more, until now, where I love every song on this album completely. The mixture of simple and complex songs, the voice of Kevin Barnes, the theme, everything, it's all pure musical gold.

This album isn't for everyone, it definitely has a children story like quality in many places, but don't let it bother you. If you can learn to get to used to such a theme, it'll make you appreciate this musical masterpiece even more.

Athens, Georgia's lovable pop ruffians, Of Montreal, mine more of the same quirky, bouncy pop on their third full length record, The Gay Parade. With almost every instrument imaginable at their disposable and songs that tell stories so childlike they give Sharon, Lois and Bram a run for their money, Of Montreal know how to make a FUN record, which is exactly what they do here. Songs such as "Fun Loving Nun", "Neat Little Domestic Life" and, particularly the album closer, "Nickee Coco and the Invisible Tree" will make you laugh, sometimes cry and definitly send chills of glee down your spine. A wonderful record for fans of Beach Boys, The Beatles and the Elepahant Six collective!

Yes, I'm sure mentioning Mr. Wilson above caught your eye, as everyone these days seems to be using him as a commercial entity to sell records. BUT, in this case I don't feel it's a cheap ploy as much as an accurate description. All of the music, the words and general feel of the album reminds me of the music found on the unfinished and infamous album by Brian Wilson, though mixed with Saturday morning cartoon shows. Finally, here is music that is not negative or "angst ridden," but rather celebrates life with a child's simplicity and an innocent worldview. Comparisons to Apples (in stereo) are inevitable, but again, a fair comparison. In short, I was very, very pleased with this purchase. Enjoy!