AMG Review of Eluardian Instance (Jon Brion Remix EP)

Andrew Leahey
All Music Guide

Tracks from Skeletal Lamping are given the remix treatment on this EP, which pairs Of Montreal's hyperactive pop music with Jon Brion's Grammy-nominated production. "An Eluardian Instance," perhaps the most accessible song on the band's previous album, provides the basis for two remixes under the name "First Time High," while "Gallery Piece" is molded into three distinct versions. Brion's remixes turn the latter song into a club-worthy anthem, adding trance percussion and thick, fat synthesizers to each version. Meanwhile, an acoustic adaptation of "First Time High" highlights Kevin Barnes' multi-tracked harmonies with a tidy heap of guitars, mandolins, and assorted string instruments. Stripped of the candy-coated keyboards that coat the original, this remix brings Of Montreal's songwriting to the forefront, demonstrating the pop hooks and solid craftsmanship that remain at the core of even the most elaborate arrangements. The rest of the brief EP doesn't shed much light on the band -- this is a Jon Brion vehicle, after all, and he makes sure his presence is felt -- but existing fans may take interest in the various interpretations of Skeletal Lamping's material.