False Priest
by Of Montreal
Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 29 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 29
  3. Negative: 0 out of 29
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  1. Alternative Press
    50
    On paper the choice of Jon Brion, a musician and engineer best known for his work in film seemed perfect, but unfortunately it didn't temper Barnes' misguided vision to be the indie-rock Prince. [Oct 2010, p.116]
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  2. BBC Music
    60
    Over-familiarity with Barnes' recent oeuvre aside, the material on False Priest just isn't as strong as the songs that comprise those other records.
  3. Chicago Tribune
    50
    The hooks are more pronounced and the bottom end beefed up, which gives Barnes' R&B leanings a lot more dancefloor appeal and makes songs such as the buttery Solange duet "Sex Karma" sound better than anything Prince has come up with in years. But the affectations remain troubling.
  5. NOW Magazine
    60
    Like most eccentric geniuses, Of Montreal's Kevin Barnes is as frustrating as he is brilliant.
  6. PopMatters
    50
    False Priest doesn't do enough to reel folks like me back into the hype machine, mainly because the lyrics are simply too dense and abstract to enjoy in this setting.
  7. The Guardian
    60
    Of Montreal's enjoyably bizarre 10th album fuses funk with indie, and sees Kevin Barnes taking his R&B-styled falsetto to unpredictably provocative places.
  8. Uncut
    60
    Barnes' lyrics remain a stumbling block. [Oct 2001, p.98]
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User Reviews

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User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 29 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 29
  3. Negative: 1 out of 29
  1. nirishan9
    Jan 13, 2013
    8
    Fantastic improvement from Skeletal Lamping. His collaboration with Brian Eno seems to have paid off. Great for more than a few listens. GreatFantastic improvement from Skeletal Lamping. His collaboration with Brian Eno seems to have paid off. Great for more than a few listens. Great melodies and vocal performance by Barnes.… Full Review »
  2. Pipinowns
    Nov 30, 2010
    10
    The best album of 2010. A blunt statement, for a blunt album, and blunt it is indeed. Not only is it trippy and bizarre, it's also very aware.The best album of 2010. A blunt statement, for a blunt album, and blunt it is indeed. Not only is it trippy and bizarre, it's also very aware. Unlike it's predecessor, False Priest knows exactly what it is, and even though it's not quite as masterful as Skeletal Lamping, it's more than just a worthy follow up.… Full Review »
  3. Acropolis
    Nov 30, 2010
    10
    Fantastic. The sounds are huge and organic. The lyrics are deep, enigmatic, devastating, and hopeful. The vocals are distinctly Kevin Barnes,Fantastic. The sounds are huge and organic. The lyrics are deep, enigmatic, devastating, and hopeful. The vocals are distinctly Kevin Barnes, which is frankly a great thing. The guest stars are incredible (Janelle and Solange sing with Kevin masterfully, and Nina makes a brief appearance saying something in Norwegian). The sounds are definitely more rock than usual (Coquet Coquette and Famine Affair). Even if the lyrics completely escape you, you can get quite a bit of enjoyment from the music. It really helps your understanding if you've familiarized yourself with Of Montreal's insanity, but this album shouldn't be weird enough to scare away first-time listeners. This album is great fun to sing along with your friends (especially while playing badminton), but it will really begin to show its depth after some meditation. False Priest begins to tell a story. You will understand Kevin Barnes' disappointment, resentment, devastation, and joy. There are numerous references to science (genetics, nuclear physics, etc.), which isn't too unusual. Researching mythology and science will always provide a better understanding of Of Montreal. When I began to contemplate an appropriate score for this album, I considered what I would have improved. I really could think of nothing. It's fun, deep, tragic, and can smoothly shift from euphoric to destroyed. When I hear Kevin cry out the line from Around the Way- "getting so ****ed up trying to cure you, it's so draining. How can I help when you won't talk to me?!" I literally get goosebumps. His emotion is expressed so fully that it hurts. This album is everything he said it would be. Salute your Busta-Rhymeness!â… Full Review »
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