A B-sides and rarities album usually is a sign of a band that is on it’s last leg, and that’s pretty much what’s going on with Of Montreal’s Daughter of Cloud.

This album is chock full of unreleased songs spanning half a decade from a band that once brought us epic neo-psychedelia albums like Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer? and Skeletal Lamping. This spiraled into a series of dud album releases to what seems like an ever-shrinking fanbase, including this year’s Paralytic Stalks, the random tracks they’ve dug up for this album serve almost as an outline of their decline.

I sincerely hope this isn’t anyone’s introduction to Of Montreal’s music, there’s no denying the talent of founder Kevin Barnes, but between the mishmash of songs throughout the album and the lack of signature Of Montreal emotion, it’s hard to get into the album as a whole.

That being said, for those who have stuck with the Of Montreal for the past fifteen years or so, you will enjoy the unearthed tracks like “Expecting to Fly” a short three minute dreamy song with strong Radiohead and Bowie influences. You might even find it interesting to hear such raw pieces from the band.

All in all, it’s very strange. None of these songs really needed to be on it’s own album. It’s almost as if the songs were more of a way to work out the past issues they encountered in the studio while working on other records. It is awkward and reminds me of having to listen to my high school boyfriend’s “really great band” while he stares at me for approval.