MGMT - Oracular Spectacular

 A Great, Quirky Listen
It's tough to place this group and album in a genre - and that's refreshing. Certainly the group relies heavy upon electronic sound, but they're not really electronica. They have a very 70s rock-opera vibe but with a modern approach.

Many of the songs are quite catchy, although some (4th Dimensional Trnsition) are quite psychedelic. The music is heavily layered and rich, making an album that's fun to listen to again and again.

The duo's vocals and lyrics are quirky, but work well overall. May 16, 2008

 Original and intriguing, but mostly entertaining mix of genres.
Trying to define the genre of this album is irresponsible. After all, they set out to create entertaining music with no regard to respecting a musical style. And they sure have succeeded.
By mixing the sophisticated instrumentation and arrangements of modern pop, and infusing it with percussive and guitar sounds more akin to rock, MGMT have achieved a refreshing combination that will keep your feet bopping, and your arms rocking.
Not every track here achieves the particular significance of mixing genres successfully, so some fans might be disappointed by what seems a calculated effort to broaden their commercial appeal, however, whether you are a techno, dance, pop, rock, a Justin Timberlake or Nine Inch Nails fan you will appreciate the ingeniousness that MGMT have put into this album. May 15, 2008

 One of the Years Best
MGMT seem to thrive off of the utterly disgusting nature of this post 'Kid-A' world where everyone an their mother seems to be pushing to become the next "quirky" electro infused indie star. 'Oracular Spectacular' is every be as arrogant as the album title implies, with good reason mind you, the opening track of this glitchy pop masterpiece immediately screams "repeat" and each subsiquent song slowly grows like a California wild fire until you end up engulfed in it's simplistic beauty. May 15, 2008

 A pleasant surprise.
I had no idea what to expect when I selected this, and the naked men on the cover only led me to wonder what I was getting myself into. And really, their naked form is about all I know about the band members. I don't know what instruments they play, who sings what... the liner notes don't seem to indicate much, the lyrics are in handwriting and difficult to read, and you really have to listen to pick up the lyrics at all.

And it's just as well, because I can focus on the music without bias, and in doing so, I've found something well worth keeping on the iPod.

I've heard it described as New-Psychedelic. I suppose that's as good a description as any, though it does sound like good old rock to me.

There is an eclectic mix of instruments, though--guitars, percussion, keyboards. This is pleasant. It is almost a kinder sort of Nine Inch Nails.

One of the best things I can say about this album is it's quite different from what you are probably familiar with. Maybe it can jog you out of the radio stereotype.

Recommended. May 15, 2008

 a gnarly record
i was pleasantly surprised. electro-funk, Low era psychadelia, and a rampant amount of influences.

A couple great tracks. more to come in a bit! May 15, 2008

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