Cherry Peel
of Montreal · 1997
35 min · 14 tracks · indie rock
A whimsical blend of lo-fi indie pop and surrealist lyrics wrapped in vibrant melodies.
Top tracks — play these first
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Everything Disappears When You Come Around Start here — This track encapsulates the album's blend of upbeat melodies with introspective lyrics, showcasing Barnes' knack for combining whimsy with emotional depth.
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Tim I Wish You Were Born a Girl — With its provocative title and lyrical exploration of identity, this song stands out as a bold statement that challenged norms within the genre.
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I Can't Stop Your Memory — The haunting yet catchy tune highlights the album's introspective side, revealing Barnes' ability to convey complex emotions through simple melodies.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases imaginative songwriting and a unique sound, though its cohesion is somewhat uneven.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features upbeat tracks with a lo-fi production style, while the second half shifts to more introspective and slower-paced songs.
- Several tracks incorporate unconventional song structures, such as abrupt tempo changes and layered vocal harmonies.
- The lyrics often employ surreal imagery and playful themes, creating a whimsical atmosphere that complements the music.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- whimsical melodies for daydreaming
- steady pacing for relaxed listening
- youthful longing in lyrics
- for afternoon musings
Maybe skip if you
- prefer high-energy tracks
- seek lengthy, immersive experiences
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Debut album that established of Montreal's unique sound and garnered significant attention.
- Career context
- Released as of Montreal's debut album, Cherry Peel marked the beginning of Kevin Barnes' exploration into eclectic sounds and imaginative storytelling. At this point in his career, Barnes was still establishing his unique voice within the indie rock scene, setting the stage for future successes.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Apples in Stereo· Panda Bear· Tame Impala
Tracklist
- 1 Everything Disappears When You Come Around Start here 2:33
- 2 Baby 2:31
- 3 I Can't Stop Your Memory 3:25
- 4 When You're Loved Like You Are 2:33
- 5 Don't Ask Me to Explain 2:46
- 6 In Dreams I Dance With You 2:05
- 7 Sleeping in the Beetle Bug 2:18
- 8 Tim I Wish You Were Born a Girl 1:46
- 9 Montreal 2:30
- 10 This Feeling (Derek's Theme) 2:42
- 11 I Was Watching Your Eyes 1:51
- 12 Springtime Is the Season 2:13
- 13 At Night Trees Aren't Sleeping 1:49
- 14 You've Got a Gift 4:50
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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