MGMT Graduate with “Congratulations”
by Mike
I’m not alone when I say that I almost lost faith in MGMT. The more successful they became, the more they began to be written off as walking clichés of their own hit song, “Time to Pretend”. We’ve seen Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden become rock stars. They made music, then made some money and found models for girlfriends. So, what’s a band to do after their debut album sells over a million copies worldwide and expectations are high? In true artistic fashion, MGMT have surprised us by ditching the glitz, glamour, and couture spreads for their heroic second effort,
Congratulations.
There are no standout, easy-to-sell singles on the new album, which seems to be exactly what the band was aiming for. Instead of making an iTunes-generation ready release, MGMT have composed a quirky, psychedelic rock album that surpasses Oracular Spectacular by light years! The band isn’t reinventing the wheel here, but their sound on Congratulations is fearless! The album opens as a reintroduction to the band with “It’s Working” – a dreamy, surf-rock track that is sure to puzzle MGMT’s previous core audience. Immensely well-crafted, the tracks blend well, seeping into one another – a change from the separation on the last LP.
“Flash Delirium,” the first attempted single by Columbia records, has a few tempo changes that add charm to its tune. Though the vibe is similar to that of track one, the end brings home a massive freak-out that sets it apart. “Brian Eno” – annoyingly wacky – could be the only song worth skipping over as the title is recited nearly 20 times throughout. The champion track is “Lady Dada’s Nightmare,” hellishly instrumental and dark as a voice screams in the background for dear life! The album winds to a close with a self-titled piece. This folksy ballad serves well to gently bring down listeners from their psychotropic trip.
Compliments to MGMT for restoring our respect by not recreating Oracular Spectacular…well done!
Tags: MGMT
- April 7, 2010
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