Paralytic Stalks

The Rundgren-esque collage-pop of Kevin Barnes’ long running group of Montreal can sometimes be a bit difficult to penetrate. There’s often a one-step-forward/one-step-back situation with each album’s level of accessibility—they’re expertly crafted collections of great ideas shoved together in a way that feels haphazard at first, but upon closer inspection the blueprints are as clear as day. 2012’s Paralytic Stalks rocks harder and cries louder than anything oM has done before; a tortured breakup album with wailing guitars and synths, howling vocals, and enough whiplash-inducing tempo changes to keep things perpetually interesting. Much like chowing down on a bag of sour candy, the flavors are intense and blend into a melange unlike any other.