As mentioned, the unstoppable of Montreal return this spring with a brand new EP, thecontrollersphere. Produced by Jon Brion and recorded during the False Priest sessions, the five-track effort is described by of Montreal’s Kevin Barnes as a “folk record.” His full and rather lengthy description follows (via P4k):
“I hope you like that I’ve carried on the tradition of such folk luminaries as Abu Bakr Khairat, Benny Moré and Nawal Al Zoghbi. These songs were written in Sunlandia, that’s where most of the folk songs are written now a days, and they were recorded up there, as well as in LA with Jon Brion, with no small contribution from Matt Chamberlain (drum du lum and yerba matte enthusiast) and K Ishibashi (my most modern classical friend). It is my hope that you can tolerate listening to this short EP in one sitting and appreciate it like a fine dining experience. Furthermore, the force that threw the green fuse anointed this protest album. It is a protest statement against the pneuma possessive. In fact this album is the voice of a desirous spirit that is aware of its positive zero chance of fulfillment or salvation or respite. There are many noisy moments that represent my attempt to communicate, in a sub human language, all that cannot be expressed with our earth tongue and all manners of mouth mechanisms. This little EP is a freak out record, have you ever seen anyone dancing to folk music? Well, like my fellow folk singing brother Bob Dylan once said, ‘I’d dance with you Maria, but my hands are on fire.’ Though, in this case, the world is roughly one year from extinction…or not.”
With all that in mind, you can enjoy a track off the EP entitled “Black Lion Massacre” at this website. Then, pick up the album’s other four tracks when they arrive in stores April 26th via Polyvinyl. The EP’s artwork is to your top right, and the tracklist is posted below.
In more of Montreal news, the band is also releasing a 128-page artbook. Created by David Barnes, What’s Weird? features paintings and illustrations and is complemented with audio commentary by Barnes himself. The book also arrives April 26th, and there will be 250 copies of a special limited edition version which features Barnes’ sig and a unique hand-drawn sketch.
In even more of Montreal news, the band is also releasing another full length album soon. They’ll also touring this spring. All the important deets can be found below.
thecontrollershere Tracklist:
01. Black Lion Massacre
02. Flunkt Sass vs. the Root Plume
03. Holiday Call
04. L’age D’or
05. Slave Translator
of Montreal 2011 Tour Dates:
04/02 – Halifax, NS @ Halifax Multi Purpose Centre
04/15 – Madison, WI @ Varsity Hall
04/22 – Richmond, VA @ The National *
04/24 – Buffalo, NY @ Town Ballroom *
04/25 – Rochester, NY @ Harro East Ballroom *
04/26 – Providence, RI @ Lupo’s *
04/27 – New Haven, CT @ Toad’s Place *
04/28 – Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club *
04/29 – Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre of Living Arts *
04/30 – New York, NY @ Webster Hall *
05/01 – Boston, MA @ Paradise *
05/02 – Montreal, QC @ Metropolis *#
05/03 – Toronto, ON @ The Phoenix *#
05/04 – Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues *
05/05 – Chicago, IL @ The Vic *
05/06 – Omaha, NE @ The Slowdown *
05/07 – Lawrence, KS @ Liberty Hall *
05/08 – Denver, CO @ Ogden Theatre *
05/09 – Salt Lake City, UT @ In The Venue *
05/11 – Seattle, WA @ Showbox Market *
05/12 – Portland, OR @ Roseland *
05/13 – San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore *
05/14 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Avalon *
05/15 – Phoenix, AZ @ Marquee Theatre *
05/17 – Austin, TX @ Mohawk *
05/18 – Dallas, TX @ South Side Music Hall *
05/19 – Memphis, TN @ Minglewood Hall *
05/20 – Atlanta, GA @ The Buckhead Theatre *
05/26-28 – Barcelona, ES @ Primavera Sound
* = w/ Painted Palms
# = w/ Braids
