The Top 40 Songs By Of Montreal (Songs 40-36)

So now that we all know that Of Montreal's next album, Skeletal Lamping, is due out on October 7th, it's time to start getting excited.  Being the eager fanboy that I am, I'll do my part by listing the Top 40 Of Montreal Songs over the next 8 weeks!  Yes, eight whole weeks.  Not a good time to swing by the ol' Audio Overflow if you're not an Of Montreal fan, but hey, I'm too pumped up to care!  Hope you enjoy!

#40:  "Nicki Lighthouse" from the album, Horse and Elephant Eatery (No Elephants Allowed) (2000) - This was one of the first songs by Of Montreal that I ever heard.  It drew me in with its nonsensical lyrics about "the strangest girl that's ever been" who has a bad habit of eating her dinner on her ceiling and wallpapering the floor.  But what really did it for me is the song's sing-along coda of "I'm a big fan/ Nicki Lighthouse/ You know that I am!"  It's a fun song to pull you out of whatever sort of funk you may be in, as most good Of Montreal songs do.

#39:  "Tim, I Wish You Were Born a Girl" from the album, Cherry Peel (1997) - Of Montreal's first album is kind of a mixed bag.  There are some true gems, and others that just don't do it for me at all.  This song is one of the better tracks from that album.  It really help set the whimsical, carefree tone that many of their later albums would take and was one of the first times that listeners had reason to question Kevin Barnes' sexuality. 

#38:  "Let's Go For a Walk" from the album, Coquelicot Asleep in the Poppies: A Variety of Whimsical Verse (2001) - "Let's Go For a Walk" is not nearly as wonderful by itself as it is in the context of the album that it is on.  Coquelicot tells the story of a fairy-like creature of the same name who falls asleep and goes on many adventures with imaginary characters.  This song wraps up the album beautifully as a heartbreaking goodbye to all of her friends that she has made.  It is one of the most beautiful songs that Kevin Barnes has ever written.  The instrumentation is simply gorgeous, and the minimal lyrics are welcomed over his usual SAT word-filled verses.

#37:  "Rose Robert" from the album, Coquelicot Asleep in the Poppies: A Variety of Whimsical Verse (2001) - Another one from Of Montreal's 2001 concept album, this song tells the story of Rose Robert, a strange character with whom the narrator loves to cross-dress and "gurgle and squeak" rather than speak.  It's a zany song, even for this album (which mostly sounds like drug-induced circus music).  Despite the claims of some that it's far too silly, there's actually a lot of cool guitar stuff going on in the right speaker, not to mention a beautiful piano solo and attractive vocal melody.  This is one to sing along to when you're taking a long trip home in the middle of the night. It keeps you awake.  Trust me, I know.

#36:  "Go Call You Mine" - from the album, Coquelicot Asleep in the Poppies: A Variety of Whimsical Verse (2001) - This one only clocks in at 1:30, and yet it features probably more instruments than any other Of Montreal song.  Kevin only sings for the last 30 seconds, leaving the first minute to be filled with one of the best instrumental performances on any Of Montreal album ever.  It's a difficult song to describe, so I'll just let you listen to it.  I hope you'll agree that it deserves a spot on this list.