MGMT Gets 4 Out Of 5

by Drew Hudson
2.25.08

Finally, after two years of living with this album up in the air, MGMT has released their first full-length album “Oracular Spectacular.”

Formed out of two friends just showing each other music they liked, MGMT came to be at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Conn. Accidentally forming something new and revolutionary in music, MGMT has created one of the most relevant, dance-infused albums this year.

The album starts with its single “Time to Pretend,” a darkly humorous poke in the ribs to the high society of art that sings of marrying fashion models and mocks prevalent drug use among hipsters. “Weekend Wars” and “Electric Feel” quickly follow and add a synthesized feel to a very Shins-esque swingy sound. Both songs are easy to enjoy and dance to, but still retain their intellect in the lyrics.

The next, and most memorable song of the album, “Kids” looks back on all the good times and innocence of childhood and forces feet to move out on the dance floor with its long drags on the synthesizers matched by a punchy beat that is sure to please all electronica lovers.

Being eight songs long, the album is very short with a sweetness in its melody to match. While some of the songs achieve a stellar rating, others are short and forgetful. The listener will unconsciously press the skip button to search, and searching with such a short pathway to walk along reflects poorly on the music. When the good and the bad are weighed side by side, the result is a solid debut from a band that definitely has room to grow and mature.

The album gets a four out of five stars from this reviewer because it is cutting edge in an industry full of copies of copies. Available for download, on CD or on vinyl, “Oracular Spectacular” is in local indie record stores everywhere and on the Internet.