Aureate Gloom
by Of Montreal
Metascore
67

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
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  1. Mojo
    Mar 19, 2015
    60
    It's quite a departure from their trademark psychedelia. [Apr 2015, p.98]
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  2. Record Collector
    Mar 6, 2015
    60
    Aureate Gloom continues in this vein but, while Sylvianbriar was Barnes’ most mellow offering yet, this album is more aggressive and troubled.
  3. NOW Magazine
    Mar 5, 2015
    60
    Too bad clunky lyrics hold things back at times.
  5. Rolling Stone
    Mar 3, 2015
    60
    Sometimes his hydrant flow of ideas reveals a lack of good ones (see the proggy slog "Monolithic Egress"). But when Barnes figures out how to focus his brain dumps, dude gets more with less.
  6. Q Magazine
    Feb 25, 2015
    60
    The best songs have some serious bite. [Apr 2015, p.108]
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  7. Drowned In Sound
    Feb 25, 2015
    60
    Aureate Gloom stretches spontaneity to the point of feeling rushed. None of these songs are among Barnes’ best.
  8. Consequence
    Feb 25, 2015
    58
    If you’re a Barnes completist, it’s totally worth a listen. For everyone else, it’s hardly essential.
  9. Magnet
    Mar 12, 2015
    55
    The back half gets slower, darker and weirder--integral ingredients all. But there isn't one track here that stands out from the rest. [No. 118, p.59]
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  10. The Line of Best Fit
    Mar 5, 2015
    55
    Aureate Gloom makes for a confused, scary, frustrating wallow into the psyche of a man I’m starting to fear getting to know any better.
  11. Sputnikmusic
    Mar 3, 2015
    52
    Aureate Gloom distinguishes itself in Barnes’ catalog as its own inexplicable set of contradictions: a record rendered inert and sabotaged by its own ambitions.
  12. PopMatters
    Mar 4, 2015
    50
    Most songs here seem to contain the DNA of a dozen other tracks, with Barns stitching them together Frankenstein-style. The results are occasionally brilliant, often frustrating, but always confounding.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 19 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 19
  3. Negative: 1 out of 19
  1. CiphirSol
    Mar 3, 2015
    9
    Don't be dissuaded by the mainstream reviews and the pseudo-hipster trash that is music journalism, this is another beautiful and challengingDon't be dissuaded by the mainstream reviews and the pseudo-hipster trash that is music journalism, this is another beautiful and challenging piece from the mind of a master of true performance art. Do yourself a favor and try to see Kevin Barnes & of Montreal live in an intimate setting.… Full Review »
  2. Mab_987
    Mar 7, 2015
    7
    Aureate Gloom stands out in just how versatile it is, going back & forth between styles multiple times in multiple songs here; even more thanAureate Gloom stands out in just how versatile it is, going back & forth between styles multiple times in multiple songs here; even more than on something like Hissing Fauna. Unfortunately, while that does lead to some great exciting tracks, it can make others feel a bit too disjointed. Still it's generally good, and Kevin's lyricism is as sharp as ever.

    (If you wanna see my longer, more in-depth review, look up "Spin It Reviews" on YouTube.)    … Full Review »
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