Review: Janelle Monae, Of Montreal

Above: Of Montreal Photos by Bill Brownlee, Special to The Star

Iconic images of James Brown flashed on the screens above Liberty Hall's stage Saturday as Janelle Monae sang her hit "Tightrope." As Monae mimicked Brown's trademark moves, her actions seemed less like a reverent homage to the Godfather of Soul than an audacious challenge. However,  Monae's spectacular outing indicated that she possesses the talent, charisma and artistic vision to be considered one of Brown's most worthy successors.

Monae has enjoyed a staggeringly successful year. The native of Kansas City, Kansas, was just another struggling artist when 2010 began. With the release of the acclaimed album "The ArchAndroid," several high-profile television appearances and savvy positioning on tours like the one that brought her to Lawrence, Monae, 24, seems to be on the cusp of stardom.

She's all the rage among a broad coalition of fashionistas, soul music devotees and indie rockers. Each of these factions, along with a large group of family and friends, was represented among Saturday's capacity audience of over 1,000. Her electrifying 65-minute set, however, made it clear that Monae is far more than a mere flavor-of-the-month. She's a fully-formed artist destined for greatness.

Monae's riveting presence is matched by her multi-dimensional voice. The figures she painted on a canvas during "Mushrooms and Roses" may have been primitive, but there was nothing simplistic about her soulful wailing at the conclusion of the psychedelic song. The futuristic funk favored by Monae and her three-piece band were momentarily set aside for a stunning rendition of "Smile." Accompanied only by electric guitar, Monae showcased the operatic side of her pliant voice on the standard. She also rapped convincingly during "Dance or Die."

The stage was too crowded to allow unencumbered dancing, but what Monae displayed was impressive. She shook with convulsions, moonwalked, jerked like an expertly handled marionette and spun like an unbalanced top.

The costumed people that often surrounded Monae were the sole flaw of her set. Only when she pretended to shoot several masked figures during "Sincerely, Jane," a song that would serve as an ideal theme for a James Bond film, did these extraneous extras serve a purpose. Even her crew's most outrageous getups, however, were no match for Monae's dynamic persona.

The rapturous ovation earned by Monae might partly explain the lengthy delay before Of Montreal, the evening's headliners, began their hour-and-40-minute performance. Monae is a hard act to follow but Of Montreal was up to the formidable task. Mildly disturbing and highly entertaining, their absurd set was a visual feast.

Front man and bandleader Kevin Barnes looked as if he'd put on an inexpensive Lady Gaga Halloween costume in a dark room without any mirrors. Although the constant parade of props also had a bargain bin quality, they greatly enhanced the performance of the eight-piece band. The effort Of Montreal invests in creating a spectacle is rivaled by very few of its peers. Sonically, most of Of Montreal's set resembled an imaginative remix of Prince's classic album "1999."

The ecstatic rave-like atmosphere intensified when Monae returned to the stage for a Michael Jackson medley that served as Of Montreal's encore. Seemingly caught up in the moment, Monae filmed the raucous scene on her cell phone. Her return to Kansas may have represented an personal milestone for the young artist, but Monae's most impressive professional accomplishments almost certainly lay ahead.

| Bill Brownlee, Special to The Star

Comments

[Danny Alexander]

Fine job! I didn't see all of Of Montreal, but this captures the Monae set beautifully.

[Antoine]

Janelle Monae is a very talented and unique artist. Calling her James Brown's "most worthy successor" is insanely hyperbolic. James Brown changed the course of western culture 5-6 times and single-handedly created the genre(s) of music that Ms. Monae practices.

[Steve J]

Did a lot of people leave after Monae?

[Larry Luper]

Prince and "1999" references. It must have been creative.

[Vandelay]

Seven paragraphs about the opener compared to two about the headliner. I think somebody's got a crush.

[Green]

I really wanted to go to this, I hope she makes it back around soon and comes to kc, i think the uptown or midland would welcome her nicely.

[James McGraw]

I think he's being kind to Of Montreal and if he dosen't have a crush or was not, at least, in awe of Janelle's talent he shouldn't be writing about music.

[Steve]

James Brown changed the course of western culture 5-6 times? I've told you a million times not to exaggerate.

[Green]

How did he change the course of western culture 5 or 6 times. Maybe once, his music, suppose he changed the direction of soul and r&b. Western culture, thats wide open, not like he brought about the industrial revolution or invented the internet.

1. Changed soul / r&b music
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[Xero Pascal]

Green, after finishing her tour with Prince, Janelle's star may be too big to play venues the size of the Midland or Uptown.

[Green]

So if she comes to kc looks like it will be as a supporting cast with prince and that will be a sprint center event. Looks like it will be awhile before she holds a show as a headliner.

[Antoine]

I thought it would be obvious that I was referring to western popular culture. As to the supposition that JB only influenced "soul/r'n'b" music, that's insane-James Brown revolutionized gospel & RnB, then soul music, then invented funk, and laid the foundation for hip hop. He remain the most sampled artist of all time. Along the way he greatly influenced the idea of Black Power and pride, and was called on by President Lyndon Johnson to quell civil unrest in DC following the assassination of MLK. He did the same in Boston. Additionally, James Brown influenced fashion and cultural awareness and expression both for African-Americans and whites, and influenced race relations in this country. But hey, Janelle Monae released one album about androids, so they are most definitely on the same level, right Bill? I suppose the previous two posters knowledge of JB extends all the way from "I Feel Good" to "Cold Sweat?"

[Bill Brownlee]

Thanks for your comments, Antoine. Please note, however, that I suggested that Monae is "one of Brown's most worthy successors," not his single "most worthy successor."

[Antoine]

It's still an insane comparison, Mr. Brownlee. She's released a single lp.

[Green]

I do believe the blog is opinion based and not fact, look, if you tear apart everything someone says you're bound to build a case against them on something. I think Brownlee was making a point that Janelle's music is good, it's as simple as that.

[Antoine]

OK. Weezer is among Led Zeppelin's most worthy successors.

Can I have a job, KC Star?

[trdedektiflik]

thank you.

[web shopping online]

Janelle Monae is on one of the talented people from Montreal and we are proud of her.