Pitchfork

And here, now, the Of Montreal video for "Heimdalsgate Like a Promethean Curse", in which a tall, lumpy sperm in blue eyeshadow creates children's book scenes in front of a costumed audience. Or at least, that's how to best describe the Athens group's first video from their upcoming album Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer? in one sentence.

Of Montreal's Kevin Barnes, dressed in a skintight (and very revealing) white bodysuit, indulges in every glam performance fantasy: dance sequences, insane costumes, assassination attempts, and whatever else he and his pals can goofily re-enact on a modest auditorium stage. The video is shot on grainy tape, which gives it an on-the-fly, 200 Motels feel, almost like watching home footage of an elementary school play where every imaginary, chaotic scene is executed with giddy enthusiasm. It fits the breakneck pace of the song itself-- especially when Barnes urges, "Come on, chemicals, come on!" while a bear dances in a cowboy hat.

The video was directed by The Brothers Chaps (aka Mike and Matt Chapman, the creators of Homestarrunner.com). According to the label, Matt and the band sketched out the concept for the video, although we have to believe that most of Barnes' acting (i.e. thwarting the assassination attempt) are pure improv. And yet, its most surprising moment is how stingy Robin Hood is with his applause at the end. Give it up, Prince of Thieves!

[from Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer? LP; out 1/23/07 on Polyvinyl]
[PRE-ORDER CD] | [PRE-ORDER 2xLP]