"The Past Is a Grotesque Animal" is a nearly 11-minute epic that serves as the emotional and thematic centerpiece of of Montreal’s 2007 album Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?. Written and produced by frontman Kevin Barnes, the song is a defining work in indie pop and psychedelic pop, celebrated for its candid lyrics, unyielding tension, and gradual musical build-up1.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Artist | of Montreal |
| Songwriter/Producer | Kevin Barnes |
| Album | Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer? |
| Release Date | January 23, 2007 |
| Genre | Indie Pop, Psychedelic Pop |
| Length | 10:53 |
Musical Style and Structure
- The song features a steady, repetitive rhythm, gradually layering guitars, keyboards, and synths to reach a frenetic climax.
- It forgoes traditional verse-chorus structure for a continuous, narrative lyric flow.
- Barnes’s vocal delivery becomes increasingly intense and confessional, mirroring the underlying turmoil.
Lyrical Themes and Meaning
The lyrics are deeply personal and open to interpretation, widely understood as an exploration of psychological struggle, the pain of heartbreak, and self-reflection in the aftermath of a failing relationship12.
Key Themes:
- Confronting the Past:
The title refers to being haunted by previous mistakes and memories—“The past is a grotesque animal and in its eyes, you see how completely wrong you can be.” - Self-Realization & Ownership:
Barnes takes responsibility for his own emotional chaos, stating, “At least I author my own disaster.” - Longing & Vulnerability:
The song expresses yearning for connection, intellectual and romantic, and the pain when these are unfulfilled. - Communication Struggles:
“How can I explain? I need you here and not here too.” The song acknowledges the complexity and contradiction in personal needs and relationships. - Influence of Literature:
The lyrics reference French writer Georges Bataille and his work Story of the Eye, hinting at the need for intellectual and emotional kinship12.
Selected Lyrics
“The past is a grotesque animal and in its eyes you see
How completely wrong you can be…”“I fell in love with the first cute girl that I met
Who could appreciate Georges Bataille…”“It’s so embarrassing to need someone like I do you…
How can I explain? I need you here and not here too…”“But at least I author my own disaster.”2
Context & Background
- Kevin Barnes wrote the song during an intense period marked by depression and the dissolution of his marriage. The track documents a sense of chaos, anxiety, and deep personal despair, making it one of the most emotionally raw entries in of Montreal’s catalog1.
- Critics and fans have drawn parallels between its literary references, relentless musical buildup, and cathartic lyrics, marking it as a high point in 2000s indie music.
Legacy
- "The Past Is a Grotesque Animal" has been regarded as a modern indie classic and a milestone for of Montreal’s evolution.
- It is praised for its willingness to delve into uncomfortable truths and for its power to evoke self-examination in listeners.
- The song has become a staple of the band’s live shows and inspired both a documentary title and sustained fan discussion456.
Notable Performances and Documentary
- The song’s intensity and emotional frankness have made it a concert highlight.
- A documentary titled The Past Is a Grotesque Animal (2014) explores the life and artistic journey of Kevin Barnes and of Montreal, mirroring the themes of introspection and transformation found in the song456.
"The Past Is a Grotesque Animal" stands as a monumental exploration of personal reckoning, memory, and the struggle for meaning in relationships—iconic for its brutal honesty, evolving structure, and unfiltered emotion12.
