Album of the Month: January

January always sets the tone. Ultimately, the albums released in the first month of the year are usually a good indicator of how awesome the rest of the year will be. Last year, The Elected, Jenny Lewis, and Sia all dropped some huge albums and 2006 never really disappointed. This January totally whooped the hell out of last January, so I really can't wait for what 2007 has to offer.

The Winner












Of Montreal: "Hissing Fauna, Are you the Destroyer?"

Kevin Barnes is one of the only people I know of who can record an entire album by himself and make it sound like it's a full-band effort. Every single second of Of Montreal's latest indie-pop masterpiece is overflowing with depth, creativity, and so much complexity that you'll need a c-clamp and a few rolls of duct tape to keep your jaw from dropping. On top of all that, it's also a fun, energetic album at the same time that it is poignant, depressing, hilarious, or even confusing. "Hissing Fauna..." is such an accomplishment for Of Montreal and a huge step forward after their last two albums. Though a thousand times more difficult than their most popular albums, it is ultimately much more rewarding in the end. After a few listens, you'll be glued to it.

Runner-Up
The Shins: "Wincing the Night Away"