Of Montreal originate from the Athens pop music scene that includes Olivia Tremor Control, Neutral Milk Hotel, Elf Power and Julian Koster. Cherry Peel is the debut album from Of Montreal. It was released on Bar/None Records in 1997. In 1999 it was reissued with additional musical contributions and the songs remixed. All subsequent reissues contain this mix. All songs were written by Kevin Barnes.

"Of Montreal has written what might be the best record of the year... Kevin Barnes has shared his first major vision with the world, and we're better for having listened... suprisingly complex. Fusing the shameless fun of Jonathan Richman with the mega-melodies of the Beach Boys by way of Weezer and the Beatles. Barnes has created his own signature style by building on the strong foundations of the geniuses who have come before him." -FLAGPOLE