aaamusic | On 07, Mar 2011

Download ‘Black Lion Massacre’ from ‘thecontrollersphere’ now

of Montreal are to release a new EP ‘thecontrollersphere’ in tandem with ‘What’s Weird?’, the artbook from oM art director David Barnes, both available 25th April from Polyvinyl Records in the UK.

For a taster of the new material, download lead single ‘Black Lion Massacre’ by of Montreal here: http://iheartvinyl.polyvinylrecords.com/em/blacklionmassacre

It’s a folk record but only the way of Montreal could envision a folk record. It clocks in at 23 minutes and features five songs, including the studio version of live favourite ‘Black Lion Massacre’- a pulsing sonic freakout; the darkest and noisiest song Kevin Barnes has ever written and serves as ‘thecontrollersphere’ mission statement. It also features new artwork from David Barnes.

‘thecontrollersphere’ will be available in the following formats: CD, 12″ vinyl (on black & limited edition of 1500 bright blue vinyl), T-shirt with exclusive artwork from Gemini Tactics and a download code, and at all DSPs. Additionally, fans who preorder direct from Polyvinyl will get an instant download of the record. ‘thecontrollersphere’ is a mini-album of sorts.

‘What’s Weird?’ is the long-awaited art book from oM art director David Barnes. His artwork has graced many of Montreal album covers and is featured prominently throughout the band’s live show (visuals, set and prop design), in addition to work for various other bands and related projects. ‘What’s Weird?’ features 128 pages and includes hundreds of handpicked illustrations and paintings spanning David’s 20-year career. The book measures 11.75″ x11.75″ (roughly LP size) and comes with a download code that features page-by-page audio commentary by David Barnes. The soft cover version of the book is limited to 2750 copies, while the deluxe hard cover edition will be limited to 250 copies and signed by David Barnes, with a hand drawn sketch unique to each book.

Preview site for ‘What’s Weird?’:www.beewithwheels.com

of Montreal will begin their spring US tour schedule from mid-May, heading off for five weeks around the States. The entire tour will feature support from Painted Palms, but will see support on select dates from the likes of Hunx & His Punx, Braids, Beat Connection and Modern Skirts. See www.ofmontreal.net for full details. So far of Montreal have confirmed Primavera Sound in Barcelona this coming May as their first European date since Autumn 2010.

of Montreal front man Kevin Barnes has issued a mission statement about ‘thecontrollersphere’:

“Here’s your folk record, I hope you like that I’ve carried on the tradition of such folk luminaries as Abu Bakr Khairat, Benny More and Nawal Al Zoghbi. These songs were written in Sunlandia, that’s where most of the folk songs are written now a days, and they were recorded up there, as well as in LA with Jon Brion, with no small contribution from Matt Chamberlain (drum du lum and yerba matte enthusiast) and K Ishibashi (my most modern classical friend). It is my hope that you can tolerate listening to this short EP in one sitting and appreciate it like a fine dining experience. Further more, the force that threw the green fuse anointed this protest album. It is a protest statement against the pneuma possessive. In fact this album is the voice of a desirous spirit that is aware of it’s positive zero chance of fulfillment or salvation or respite. There are many noisy moments that represent my attempt to communicate, in a sub human language, all that cannot be expressed with our earth tongue and all manners of mouth mechanisms. This little EP is a freak out record, have you ever seen anyone dancing to folk music? Well, like my fellow folk singing brother Bob Dylan once said, “I’d dance with you Maria, but my hands are on fire”. Though, in this case, the world is roughly one year from extinction…or not.”

Full details about ‘thecontrollersphere’ and What’s Weird?:

of Montreal
‘thecontrollersphere’ (Polyvinyl – April 26)
CD / T-shirt + download code / All DSPs
12″ vinyl – black & limited-edition of 1500 on bright blue vinyl

1. Black Lion Massacre
2. Flunkt Sass vs. The Root Plume
3. Holiday Call
4. L’age D’or
5. Slave Translator

David Barnes
‘What’s Weird?’ (Polyvinyl – April 26)
Book – 128 pages
Size 11.75″x11.75″
Hard cover limited to 250 copies
Soft cover limited to 2750

Pre-order: www.polyvinylrecords.com/thecontrollersphere

www.ofmontreal.net
www.polyvinylrecords.com