Sunlandic Twins

After years of quirky albums that ranged from twee acoustic indie pop to flirtations with electro-dance disco, THE SUNLANDIC TWINS is the album where Kevin Barnes and collaborators finally put all the pieces together. Of Montreal's most ambitious album to this point in their career -- with a concept-album storyline that plays obliquely across the 13 tracks -- THE SUNLANDIC TWINS is also the band's most cohesive, focused record so far, with a heavier emphasis on clever hooks and memorable tunes. Barnes has as bizarre a lyrical sense as ever -- one of the album's catchiest tunes is called "Wraith Pinned to the Mist and Other Games" -- but the lyrical absurdity never seems precious or forced. Other highlights include "The Party's Crashing Us" and "October Is Eternal."