As a rule, I'm a comparative thinker. As a writer, I construct parallels and employ juxtaposition all the time. As a critic, I see comparison as a means towards a more accurate definition.

The new of Montreal single has everything you'd expect from the Athens, Ga. band -- that is if you've just returned from a month-long cruise where the imperial ballroom house band plays nothing but ELO, Steely Dan and David Bowie covers -- sign me up for the next departure -- and the weather was gorgeous with intermittent showers of flutes, Fruit Loops and cherry cola.

As the year comes to a close, KDHX is pleased to present some of our favorite live in-studio videos of 2011 -- and there were so many, we just couldn't narrow it to 10!

The versatility of of Montreal has never been in question. But when the indie rock maestros hit town for a rare July 4 session they lit up the KDHX studios with an arsenal of sonic fireworks.

What does it mean when a giant, pink pigface freaks a naked-bummed Kevin Barnes donning nothing more than blue boots and gran’s best blouse and lacey apron? And what does it mean when caped, black-and-red, wooden skateboard heads ejaculate three hundred gallons of confetti into a screaming crowd?

of Montreal
False Priest
Polyvinyl

Of Montreal’s tenth album, False Priest, rattles with dark energy that shivers from fatalistic undertones reminiscent of Bowie at his oddest and perhaps even a touch of the Cure. Over the course of its past musical output, Of Montreal has evolved an intricately layered sound. False Priest presents a fleeter production with some harder edges, but retains the familiar mixture of upbeat melancholia.