(Courtesy of Sony/Columbia Records)
Fans who favored the catchy pop melodies and sing-a-long choruses of “Time to Pretend” and “Electric Feel” over the psychedelic tracks on MGMT’s debut album will probably not like their newest effort.
Depending on who is listening, “Congratulations” could definitely fit into the category of the sophomore slump. It lacks the radio-friendly hooks and danceable beats of their first album. But those who enjoyed the trippy second half of “Oracular Spectacular” will find this new effort a sonic reward.
After all of the hype and popularity surrounding the pop singles on their first album, it seems that MGMT has consciously headed in the opposite direction; basking in shimmering keyboards and grandiose soundscapes on tracks like (the poorly named) “Lady Dada’s Nightmare.”
MGMT frontmen Andrew VanWyngarden and Ben Goldwasser only hinted at what they were capable of in their past work. There were always winks at the sun-filled psychedelia of the 60s, but now it seems that they have taken the concept and run with it, adding a touch of experimentation and a pinch of prog.
With the exception of the bland ode to Brian Eno (obviously titled after the man himself), the album is solid. There is a definite nod to indie heroes The Flaming Lips, focusing on the light, airy psychedelia of their classic “Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots” on “Someone’s Missing” and “I Found a Whistle.”
The track “Siberian Breaks” is an album standout for more reasons than its incredible 12-minute length. It mixes the soft 60s harmonies of Simon & Garfunkel (in a good way) with the lilting guitars and sitar sounds of other 60s music. “There’s no reason, there’s no secrets to decode,” the duo sings against a mellow backdrop. But listeners will constantly try to keep up with all the directions that the song jumps to, decoding the meaning behind this complex track. One moment it’s speak-singing vocals against a steady beat, and the next it drops into a murky drug-filled pool of frenzy.
Sure, the songs off this album may not have indie-tweens jumping along to catchy choruses at MGMT concerts, but I’d rather lay back and take in all the sounds that intricately twist together on this far more interesting follow-up, than dance to an inanely repetitive pop chorus any day.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Jenny Gumbert at [email protected].
