!earshot Top 200 of 2021

Purrs & Hisses from Meow Records

By Bryndis Ogmundson

After a lot of hard work, I finally have my own record store, Meow Records Yes, that’s right, I spend my days buying and selling new and used records and cds…albums. I have decided that with this new chapter in my life I should probably have a new column to go with it. Hence I give you “purrs and hisses from meow records.” The “purrs” will, of course, reflect my opinions on what is absolutely necessary to own in your music collection, or just something I think is pretty worthwhile to check out. The “hisses” will be for those acts I feel are overrated or disappointing. I will also include the occasional customer feature, interview, or whatever else musical I can find to fill the page. And as always, the hyperbole will flow and the f-bombs will drop.

So let’s begin with the purrs…

Purrs:

This month I wholeheartedly give myself over to the new Of Montreal album, Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer? I pride myself on being one of those people that refrains from streaming singles from albums that I anticipate. I would much prefer to sit down and ingest it as a whole item, rather than a crumb here and there. Unfortunately I have a very persistent friend that insists on sending me tracks when we chat on messenger. So, I did hear one song before sitting down to the listening experience I had last night. And I must say, the preview I had didn’t spoil anything. This album is magnificent. I also resisted the urge to read any reviews until I gave it the once over myself. Therefore, I had no idea this was a dark, cynical, break up album. I missed the part where Kevin Barnes went through a bitter divorce and became a maniacal disco monster out for revenge. Then again, it’s not like me to keep tabs on the personal lives of artists. That would be a bit, I dunno, stalkerish?

Watch the skies, er, charts. For you shall see HF,AYTD? find its home somewhere around the top.

Hisses:

I’m not particularly upset with any album, yet. Although I hear rumours that I will hate the new Shins album, Wincing The Night Away. I have to admit, I hated their performance on Saturday Night Live. And I’m not fond of the new single. But maybe I’ll hold back my judgment until I hear it. Since it is the beginning of a new year, I have yet to meet an album truly worthy of a “hiss.” Although I’m sure it will happen soon.