I have seen Of Monsters and Men perform live twice: Once at Boston Calling, once at Osheaga. Not coincidentally, I have also enjoyed seeing Of Monsters and Men perform live twice. They put on a good show! Especially at the latter festival, when they kinda sorta* summoned an ice storm through the pounding drums on “Thousand Eyes.” That was a sight.
This is necessary context for my review of their latest album, Fever Dream, which, given proper distance, isn’t quite as frustrating for me as it was while writing the piece, but still doesn’t totally qualify as a hit by my own definition. Frankly, I hate having to say mean things about their work**. I like Of Monsters and Men! I like them very much! And I like it when artists strive to expand their sound and evolve, because just churning out the same album over and over again sounds like a bummer of a time for the band and for their listeners. But Fever Dream just doesn’t pull together for me.
You can read my full review over at Paste Magazine.
*Yes, yes, they didn’t actually, but let me have my fun.
A Constant Visual Feast 