Of Montreal reissues rarities comp

The Zombies never really got much love during their brief lifetime, mostly because they were the bookish nerds of the British Invasion. While the Rolling Stones and The Who were out getting wasted and smashing things on a Friday night, Ron Argent, Colin Blunstone and company would stay at home for a quiet evening of studying musical theory and listening to Dave Brubeck. Or so we're going to assume.

In proper undead fashion, however, the Zombies have prospered posthumously. First came that left-field chart smash "Time of the Season" in 1969 (after the group had disbanded), and over the ensuing years the group's DNA has spread like a virus, infecting just about every band in the indie pop kingdom. One of those Zombified groups is Of Montreal.

It comes as no surprise, then, that Kevin Barnes' troupe paid tribute to the Zombies once before, on an odds 'n' ends compilation they released back in 2003. The comp was called (deep breath) If He Is Protecting Our Nation Then Who Will Protect Big Oil? Our Children?. Gee, who could that title be referring to? The album has since gone out of print, but Stereogum has the hookup, posting Of Montreal's cover of the Zombies' chipper "Friends of Mine." If you enjoy that, then it might interest you to hear that Who Will Protect Big Oil is slated for a reissue on Oct. 23 via Polyvinyl.

Want more free Of Montreal cover action? Swing by Pitchfork to hear Of Montreal taking on Swedish invaders Love Is All.

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