Of Montreal
Archibald of the Balding Sparrows
Play Archibald of the Balding Sparrows
| Song | Lyrics | Save | Buy |
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| 1 Cast in the Haze |  |
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| 2 Craig's Head Hallucination | |
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| 3 David and the Giant Crabs | |
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AMG Review of Archibald of the Balding Sparrows
Jason Ankeny
All Music GuideIts whimsical title notwithstanding, the Archibald of the Balding Sparrows split single is one of the most full-bodied and mature Of Montreal records to date. Though sacrificing none of the childlike wonder of previous records, the irrepressibly bouncy "Cast in the Haze (Been There Four Days)" edits out Kevin Barnes' trademark storybook characters in favor of a first-person love song, achieving a perfect balance between eccentricity and accessibility while evoking Yellow Submarine-era Beatles with its loping, sun-kissed melody and ebullient harmonies. ("Craig's Head Hallucination" -- a combination spoken word narrative, vaudeville skit, and Chipmunks song -- boasts a surplus of whimsy for listeners in short supply.) Marshmallow Coast's "David and the Giant Crabs" is another of Andy Gonzales' overly precious singsong narratives -- innocence and idiosyncrasy run amok.
 "Archibald of the Balding Sparrows")
