Wow. All bets are off. It’s hard to believe lead singer and songwriter Kevin Barnes has been fighting depression. Skeletal Lamping is another level of creativity. Every element is endearing and just plain weird. With a voice that combines the stylings of Freddie Mercury and Prince to unfold 15 tracks of funk, disco and indie rock. Yes, it’s possible. Opening track Non Perils of Favor begins with delicate strings before erupting into a punchy confession of truly needing the person he loves “You were always there on the tip of my tongue/ and I needed you to happen/And now you happened” before going on to profusely thank the lucky girl (or guy). Barnes is known for his sexual antics and gender confusion but with For Our Elegant Caste he seems to proudly own every last bit of it as he bluntly sings “We can do it soft core/But you should know that I go both ways” he says. There are new discoveries in every song, new sounds and lots of ‘ooh ooh ooh’s’. Gallery Piece is painfully aware of the contradictions of being in a love hate relationship the need for couple’s therapy. With the intoxicating rhythm and Barnes shoves lyrics like “I want to be your love/I want to make you cry and sweep you off your feet/I want to hurt your pride” in your jaw dropped face. Touched Somethings Hollow begins with piano and the similar treading light voice of Devandra Banhart where he sounds sadly broken and asks “Why am I so damaged girl/Why am I such poison girl/I don’t know how long I can hold on/If it’s gonna be like this forever”. This record is chock full of sexuality, soul, psychedelics and lyrics so descriptive they would have made even George Carlin blush. What else would expect from a Detroit born rock star whose alter ego is a black transvestite?
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