Album Review: MGMT - Oracular Spectacular (4/5)

Good music takes confidence. In rock, it's often the result of either hard-won success or the boldness of youth. MGMT (say "M-G-M-T" not "management") derives theirs from the latter, as demonstrated on their debut, Oracular Spectacular, a modern, poppy set that shows its '70s and '80s influences on its sleeve. To just look at the band--two young men often shirtless or costumed--says a lot about what must be their current state of mind. Ready to take on the world, they've given themselves a fantastic launch.

"Time to Pretend" is the brilliant opening track, starting off with a swirl of synth effects and establishing an optimistic melody that quickly transitions to the song's upbeat melodic core. Playful lyrics about dreaming of fame ("this is our decision to live fast and die young") mix well with the layered '80s-sounding synths that are currently in vogue.

In contrast, "Weekend Wars" sounds like '70s progressive rock, kissed with spacey synth riffs. Keyboard sound effects are even more prominent on atmospheric "The Youth." Elements of these songs remind me of The Flaming Lips album I reviewed a few weeks ago, as do the weird closing tracks "The Handshake" and "Future Reflections" (lo and behold, both albums were produced by Dave Fridmann). "Electric Feel" also features a heavy does of '70s-ish keyboards, but is influenced more by funk than prog rock.

"Kids" is the album's second obvious highlight after "Time to Pretend." It has a similar '80s electro sound, with a repeating keyboard refrain over a plodding bass-driven rhythm. With deeper voices they could be Depeche Mode here. This is very danceable stuff. The tempo remains fast on "4th Dimension Transition," whose experimental grandeur recalls Muse's recent album.

It's not all cool '80s synths and psychedelica though, as the mostly acoustic "Pieces of What" shows MGMT has other interests too. Drums, electric guitar and even strings (though they may be synths sounding like strings) kick in about halfway through this earnest, Oasis-like ballad. "Of Moons, Birds & Monsters" takes another trip through the '70s--trip being the key word here, with lyrics like "even a bird would want a taste of dirt from abyssal dark." Huh?

Lyrical confusion abounds through a lot of the band's songs. Some of them, like "Time to Pretend" are easy to understand, but others are very bizarre, and may not need to be understood lyrically (if that is even possible) to be enjoyed musically. I'm not much of a lyrics guy anyway, so I don't mind. I'd rather focus on good hooks and melody, which Oracular Spectacular, as the title implies, delivers.

Best: Time to Pretend, Kids, Weekend Wars, Electric Feel, Pieces of What

Essential Albums of the Decade: 81 to 100

81. Mariah Carey - The Emancipation of Mimi (2005). After several disappointing albums, Mariah Carey came rolling back with this charged set heavily influenced by both modern and old school R&B. Best: We Belong Together.

82. Moby - Wait for Me (2009). Moby's latest album was the best he released this decade, effectively mining his downbeat sound that I've found to be his strongest suit, for a complete album of atmospheric electronic pop. Best: Mistake.

83. Scissor Sisters - Ta-Dah (2006). Scissor Sisters second album was a bit darker than their first--If declaring that one does not want to dance over one of the most infectious dance songs can be considered dark. Best: I Don't Feel Like Dancin'.

84. Fleet Foxes (2008). Seattle band Fleet Foxes' debut was a gorgeous, eclectic album that managed to be folksy and old-fashioned while also quite contemporary. Best: White Winter Hymnal.


85. Rilo Kiley - More Adventurous (2004). Rilo Kiley's third album perfectly bridged the indie sensibility fostered by their earlier works while foreshadowing their more mainstream sound to come. Best: I Never.


86. The White Stripes - White Blood Cells (2001). This was Jack and Meg White's big breakthrough, garnering much praise, including being named album of the year by Spin Magazine. Their sparse but versatile sound would be further refined on their next album. Best: Fell in Love with a Girl.

87. The Killers - Sam's Town (2006). On their second album, The Killers tuned their alternative pop-rock sound away from '80s synth pop toward U2-inspired grandeur. Best: When You Were Young.

88. MGMT - Oracular Spectacular (2008). These former Wesleyan University boys made quite a splash last year with their cheeky debut. Particularly good were the bouncy and upbeat hits, "Time to Pretend" and "Kids." Best: Kids

89. Glasvegas (2008). Glasgow + Las Vegas? Perhaps, although these gritty, storytelling songs from the Scottish band evoke the tales of the everyday man rather than the poised glitz of The Strip. Best: Daddy's Gone.

90. John Mayer - Continuum (2006). I'm not much of a John Mayer fan, but I rather like his third album. It's got a nice mellow vibe, like one long romantic slow dance. Best: Gravity.


91. Justin Timberlake - FutureSex/LoveSounds (2006). Justin Timberlake's second album, produced by Timbaland and Danja, solidified his status as one of the decade's most important pop artists and (almost) erased all memory of a certain boy band. Best: What Goes Around...Comes Around.

92. Sade - Lovers Rock (2000). This album is really no different from the band's 1992 release, Love Deluxe, and that's a good thing. It's a shame they only release a new album every 8 to 10 years, for their sultry adult pop is always spot on good. Best: By Your Side.

93. Evanescence - Fallen (2003). Evanescence's debut was released during the time The Lord of the Rings films were popular, which made its gothic rock feel right at home. "My Immortal" is one of my very favorite songs of the decade. Best: My Immortal.

94. Jamelia - Walk with Me (2006). Here's one of several albums on my list that I thought deserved to be bigger hits that they were. Walk with Me was joyously upbeat R&B-flavored pop that should have filled airtime for months, but generated relatively few hits. Best: Ain't a Love.

95. James Blunt - Back to Bedlam (2005). English pop singer James Blunt made a huge splash with his debut single, "You're Beautiful." Although he never managed a successful follow-up hit, his earnest first album offered quite a few rewarding listens. Best: You're Beautiful.

96. Embrace - Out of Nothing (2004). Stretching themselves musically, English band Embrace hit pay dirt with their gorgeous fourth album, typifying the Coldplay-esque piano-based rock sound that was popular with many bands at the time. Of course, it didn't hurt that Coldplay itself wrote their best tune. Best: Gravity.

97. Goldfrapp - Felt Mountain (2000). Goldfrapp's mellow debut offered little hint of what would come with their glittery electro follow-ups, but managed to be quite compelling with its quirky cool tunes. Best: Lovely Head.

98. Daniel Bedingfield - Gotta Get Thru This (2002). Daniel Bedingfield made his mark with the garage-pop hit "Gotta Get Thru This," and then defied expectation by releasing this eclectic debut with songs ranging from adult pop balladry ("If You're Not the One") to rock ("I Can't Read You"). His sister may have had bigger hits, but he made the better album. Best: Gotta Get Thru This.

99. Mariah Carey - E=MC² (2008). Mariah followed her 2005 comeback with this similar 2008 release, which recalled the laid back vibe of an afternoon in Miami. Best: I Stay in Love.


100. Shania Twain - Up! (2002). Shania Twain's third album, 1997's Come On Over, remains the biggest selling album from either a female or a country artist and succesfully crossed over from the country to the pop charts. This follow-up delivered more of the same sunny country-pop, and anticipating similar crossover appeal, came packaged with two discs: one of country arrangements and the other with pop ones. Best: I'm Gonna Getcha Good!

Album Review: MGMT - Congratulations (3.5/5)

In late 2007, early 2008, fresh-from-college indie rockers became the toast of the town with Oracular Spectacular, their cheeky debut of pop-leaning, psychedelic rock. They won over fans and critics alike with danceable stuck-in-your-head tunes like "Time to Pretend" and "Kids."

Well, Congratulations, the difficult follow-up to that successful debut, ain't that. Rather than mine their enjoyable pop instincts, they've gone full throttle into the weirder side of their sound. It makes for some nice moments, but there are few, if any, standout singles this time (and in fact, the band has said they don't intend to have singles for this album). Consequently, there's nothing here I expect would corner alternative and pop radio or have them flattered with a remake, a la "The Opposite of Adults," Chiddy Bang's recent take on "Kids."

A few songs do rise above the others though. I quite like "Brian Eno," a quirky tribute to the famous producer of bands like U2 and Coldplay ("We're always one step behind him, he's Brian Eno"). I also like the opening track, "It's Working," which goes for some high drama with its big guitars, harpsichord, echo-chamber vocals and intermittent tempo pauses. Ambitious "Flash Delerium" layers horns, multiple voices, over a shifting base of guitars and synths.

Elsewhere, some songs are better than others. "Song for Dan Treacy," another tribute, although to someone far less well-known, is sinister and weird in an enjoyable way. "Someone's Missing" builds slowly to a Motown-ish climax. The closing title track is pleasantly acoustic with revealing lyrics about the desire for approval ("I'd rather dissolve than have you ignore me").

But then there's the 12-minute, multipart, "Siberian Breaks," which manages to be not nearly as interesting as the band probably thinks it is, making it just pretentious, actually. I like the acoustic guitar opener for about 30 seconds, and then the song loses me. "Lady DaDa's Nightmare" seems pointed at Lady GaGa, but I don't see what she'd supposedly find so objectionable about this meandering instrumental.

This album required a close listen to appreciate it. I was actually going to give it a lower rating until I listened to it more carefully and found more to like than I'd heard at first blush. Still, that it requires such effort may be off-putting to some, especially those that enjoyed the band's first go-round most for the jumping joy of "Kids."

Best: Brian Eno, It's Working, Flash Delerium

Best Albums of 2008

I reviewed an even 50 new albums this year. Here are my 25 favorites, plus other recommendations, others I reviewed, and the 5 worst. Click on the title to read my original review; click on the album cover to link to an on-line store where you can buy the album.

1. Duffy - Rockferry
Once again, my favorite album of the year is by a female British singer. Rockferry came out early in the year, and I loved it all year long. Duffy's soulful, '60s-tinged pop was like the tonic to Amy Winehouse's gin. "Mercy" was the standout track, but her affecting ballads like "Warwick Avenue" and "Stepping Stone" were almost as unforgettable. What I said: "a gorgeous and swinging piece of retro pop." Essential track: Mercy

2. Madonna - Hard Candy
Madonna and Timbaland and Pharrell could have been a disaster, or at least just a retread of Nelly Furtado's Loose. Thankfully, it turned out to be a lot of fun, imbuing Madonna's sound with a contemporary freshness missing from Confessions on a Dancefloor. It's the year's best dance pop album. What I said: "double entendres, naughty lyrics, and delicious hooks permeate throughout." Essential track: 4 Minutes

3. Black Kids - Partie Traumatic
The new class of alternative/indie/'80s-worshiping pop/rock acts churned out a lot of great moments this year. Taking the cake are this Floridian band's upbeat, fun-loving debut. There were a lot of '80s-aping discs released this year, and none were better than this. Like Duffy's Rockferry, this was produced by Bernard Butler, two very different but both brilliant albums. What I said: "this is joyful, upbeat modern pop music, perfectly timed for summer." Essential track: Hurricane Jane

4. Coldplay - Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends
Coldplay continued to prove why they are the world's greatest rock band this decade. Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends saw the band stretch their safety zone more than on previous albums, most notably in restraining their stadium rock pretensions. What I said: "Coldplay delivers the sort of lovely pop/rock we've come to expect from them tweaked with little surprises here and there." Essential track: Viva la Vida

5. Oasis - Dig Out Your Soul
I know I'm late to the party, but this was the year I finally became an Oasis fan. While not a popular choice, I loved Dig Out Your Soul. It's the kind of (at this point) old school rock album that's hard to hate from rockers like "The Shock of the Lightning" to gentle piano ballad "I'm Outta Time." What I said: "There are a few ballads here, but most of the songs are charging rock numbers that retain a mostly standard simple formula." Essential track: I'm Outta Time

6. Will Young - Let It Go
Breaking up is hard to do, but it makes great music. Will's breakup album--and Pink's divorce album further down my list--finds the young artist doing his most personal work yet, ever much as tuneful as everything he's given us before. What I said: "a brilliant exercise in retro soul-drenched modern pop that is at times uplifting, at time sad, and genuinely affecting." Essential track: You Don't Know

7. Kanye West - 808s & Heartbreak
This was the year's biggest surprise. The decade's biggest hip-hop artist, who just last year released the acclaimed Graduation, abandoned rap and started singing the blues (the breakup blues yet again), albeit blues drenched in electronic synths and manufactured Roland 808 beats. What I said: "The sad songs are quite lovely and feel genuine; the few upbeat numbers, especially 'Paranoid,' are a lot of fun." Essential track: Paranoid

8. Beyoncé - I Am ... Sasha Fierce
The world's biggest female pop artist released her third hit album. Look past the silly alternate identity and double-album marketing ploys and you'll find Beyoncé's best collection yet, a remarkable blend of high-class ballads and upbeat fluff. What I said: "She sounds as good belting out 'If I Were a Boy' as she does on the lightly breathy 'Disappear,' the soaring 'Ave Maria,' and the restrained 'Satellites.'" Essential track: If I Were a Boy

9. Kaiser Chiefs - Off with Their Heads
The British rock band brought in big-name Amy Winehouse producer Mark Ronson for their third album, who helped steer this upbeat set in a less serious direction than last year's, Yours Truly Angry Mob. What I said: "There's a pleasing amount of warmth to this album, particularly from the rich strings arrangement of 'Like It Too Much' and the acoustic guitar melody of 'Remember You're a Girl.'" Essential track: Never Miss a Beat

10. Glasvegas
This Glaswegian band's debut was a good counterpoint to the Mancunian party scene overworked by Arctic Monkeys. They exude a similarly raw and youthful sound, but use their music to tell meaningful stories about social problems. What I said: "The band's earnestness sets it apart from the popular pack of current indie rockers (as does having a female drummer, Caroline McKay)." Essential track: Daddy's Gone

11. The Last Shadow Puppets - The Age of the Understatement
Speaking of Arctic Monkeys, lead singer Alex Turner's side project (with Rascals member Alex Kane) blended the gritty rock of the 'Monkeys with '60s pop influences. A nice stopgap before the band's next album. What I said: "'Like taking the Arctic Monkeys and parading them through Amy Winehouse and Duffy's recording studios, with a little dose of John Barry for inspiration." Essential track: Standing Next to Me

12. Estelle - Shine
With guidance from John Legend and a turn in American recording studios, Estelle's second album was an upbeat, soulful mix of old and new sounds that snagged her a Mercury Prize nomination. And it's big single--the Kanye West collaboration "American Boy" made her an international star. What I said: "Old school-flavored modern soul is what a lot of this album has on its mind." Essential track: American Boy

13. Take That - The Circus
While the sea of recent pop group reunions have seen many acts appear past their prime, Take That have proved they're still at the top of their game. This surprisingly good second album from the Take That reboot (their fifth overall) showed more range and better songs than their last, Beautiful World; a great mix of pop songs from the understated title track to the top-tapping "How Did It Come to This?" What I said: "The Circus proves that Take That's reunion isn't a novelty or quick cash grab, but the real deal." Essential Track: The Circus

14. Pink - Funhouse
After a commercial misstep with her third album, Pink has made a remarkable comeback that started with "U + Ur Hand" and continued this year with the international #1 hit "So What." The album is no less disappointing than that great single--a biting yet also vulnerable mix of emotions in the wake of her recent divorce. What I said: "(the 'So What') antics are a foil for the darker side Pink sometimes unveils throughout this 12-song set that chronicles her recent divorce from Carey Hart." Essential track: So What

15. MGMT - Oracular Spectacular
Just a few of years ago Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden were cocky college kids playing gigs at Wesleyan University. Then they had an EP and toured with Of Montreal. Now they are have NME's best album of 2008. That's quite a rise, but with a confident debut album as good as this, the best may be yet to come. What I said: "a modern, poppy set that shows its '70s and '80s influences on its sleeve." Essential track: Kids

16. The Killers - Day & Age
After the Springsteen-esque Americana of last album Sam's Town, The Killers returned to the less serious new wave sound that made them a hit with Hot Fuss, even expanding their musical palette to include world music-type sounds. This time with dance producer Stuart Price on board, the band delivered a third solid album. What I said: "The first three songs are instantly likeable--the rest of the album had to grow on me, but thankfully it has." Essential track: Spaceman

17. Mariah Carey - E=MC²
As its title implies, Mariah Carey's 10th album adheres closely to the formula of her last album, The Emancipation of Mimi, which brought her back to the spotlight after two albums that found her career in decline. E=MC² didn't land the singer as many hits as Mimi, but I actually prefer this album's more modern and upbeat sound. What I said: "E=MC² is a soundtrack for driving in the sun and going out with friends, despite some of its surprisingly personal more serious moments." Essential track: Migrate

18. Ne-Yo - Year of the Gentleman
Over the last few years, singer/songwriter/producer Ne-Yo has been steadily securing his status as one of the most influential rising stars of pop and R&B. This year he released his most accomplished album yet and landed a Grammy Album of the Year nomination for it. His winning mix of pop, R&B, and dance sounds, as well as his message about treating women as equals rather than sex objects, made him stand out. What I said: "he's the whole package." Essential track: Miss Independent

19. Adele - 19
British singer Adele Adkins got about as good a launch this year as a singer could hope for, being named the BBC Sounds of 2008 top new artist, getting strong promotion in both the UK and the US, and starting off with an amazing hit single, "Chasing Pavements." What I said: "19 is a soulful creation, showcasing Adele's powerful voice. It's not a magnum opus--most of the songs are about a young woman pining after boys--but why should it be?" Essential track: Chasing Pavements

20. The Raconteurs - Consolers of the Lonely
Jack White sound best when he's jamming with ex-wife/sometimes sister Meg in The White Stripes, but this second album with his other band wasn't bad. It actually sounds a lot like a White Stripes album but with more instruments and a greater classic rock influence. What I said: "It's strength is its simplicity, built on great rhythms, guitar riffs and rock strut." Essential track: Consoler of the Lonely

21. Goldfrapp - Seventh Tree
Goldfrapp's fourth album toned down the sexy electro-pop of their last two albums. As such, it has more in common with atmospheric Felt Mountain than stompers Black Cherry or Supernature. It's also a step down from those fantastic two albums, but still pretty good. What I said: "First track 'Clowns' and first single 'A&E' are perhaps the two loveliest songs Goldfrapp has ever crafted." Essential track: Clowns

22. Keane - Perfect Symmetry
Also taking a step down from their previous albums but still good enough to land in my top 25 is the third album from Keane. Credit the band for breaking out of their piano-based rock comfort zone to incorporate guitar and new wave. Just too bad the melodies weren't as strong this time. What I said: "Despite their experimentation, which I applaud, much of this feels very familiar without being as interesting as what they've done before." Essential track: Spiralling

23. The Ting Tings - We Started Nothing
There's nothing wrong with making upbeat fluffy pop/rock as long as it's done well. Not everyone's cut out to be U2, but just because an album may lack substance doesn't mean it can't exude melody, charm and fun, which The Ting Tings did quite successfully on their debut disc. What I said: "This isn't a serious work and it's not meant to be. The Ting Tings are clearly having a good time and so are we." Essential track: Shut Up and Let Me Go

24. Foxboro Hottubs - Stop Drop and Roll!!!
Green Day took a break from being Green Day, masquerading as the Foxboro Hottubs to deliver a quick and dirty set of fun jams far away from the social commentary of their epic 2004 award-winning album American Idiot. Like many of the year's best albums, the '60s and '70s were strong influences. What I said: "None of this is very substantive, but that's the point. It's just short, enjoyable bursts of '60s-flavored rock." Essential track: Mother Mary

25. Sheryl Crow - Detours
I associate this rather impressive and personal set from Sheryl Crow with a day last February when one weekend day I walked the two miles home from downtown through a cold but sunny DC winter's day. It was the perfect backdrop. What I said: "Sheryl draws on these life-changing events (her divorce, cancer and son's adoption) to give Detours a particularly personal depth, but she turns to the outside world too to give it political depth as well, touching on the war, the environment and our thirst for oil." Essential track: Shine Over Babylon


Also Recommended:
British Sea Power - Do You Like Rock Music?
Girls Aloud - Out of Control
Delta Goodrem - Delta
Elbow - The Seldom Seen Kid
Nine Inch Nails - The Slip
The Script
Sugababes - Catfights and Spotlights

Also Reviewed:
Dido - Safe Trip Home
Hot Chip - Made in the Dark
Ladytron - Velocifero
Mêlée - Devils & Angels
Moby - Last Night
My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges
Neon Neon - Stainless Style
R.E.M. - Accelerate
Sia - Some People Have Real Problems
Solange - Sol-Angel & the Hadley St. Dreams
Sam Sparro
Britney Spears - Circus
TV on the Radio - Dear Science,


Five worst of the year:

Snow Patrol - A Hundred Million Suns Snow Patrol released a sleepy retread of their fantastic 2006 album Eyes Open. A real disappointment.

Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan - Sunday at Dirt Devil This dark and too folksy follow-up didn't hold a candle to the duo's 2006 Mercury Prize nominee, Ballad of the Broken Seas.

Vampire Weekend This has shown up on every music magazine's year-end best list. Yet, I'm not changing my opinion that I thought it was pretentious, meaningless and boring.

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Dig!!! Lazarus, Dig!!! Here's another critics favorite--"storyteller" rock that just doesn't appeal to me.

The Verve - Forth Not necessarily the year's worst album, but the biggest disappointment for me. After an 11-year break, The Verve re-formed to deliver this somber set of overly long, listless songs. "Bittersweet Symphony," "The Drugs Don't Work," and "Sonnet" were such magic moments on their 1997 album Urban Hymns. I was really hoping for a repeat and didn't get it--not even close.

April New Releases

Wasn't March great? Broken Bells, Two Door Cinema Club and Goldfrapp were all winners. And although they didn't win me over completely, Alphabeat and Ellie Goulding weren't bad either.

April, in contrast, is relatively tame.

MGMT - Congratulations. The most anticipated album of the month is the sophomore release from New York-based MGMT, the uber-hyped duo were 2008's indie band to love, winning over audiences with pop-leaning songs like "Time to Pretend" and "Kids," the latter of which has been a favorite by others to cover (including the Chiddy Bang remake, "Opposite of Adults"). I've read that this album will be less "pop" than Oracular Spectacular. I've also read that, in a Kid A-like move, there won't be any singles released (although in the digital age, that doesn't really mean anything). These could be red flags--signs the band's fame has quickly gone to their heads--or perhaps not. Perhaps this will be brilliant. Stay tuned, and for the time being, check out first taste, "Flash Delerium." (April 12/13)

Hole - Nobody's Daughter. It's been 12 years since Hole released Celebrity Skin, during which time the band was kaput from 2002 until last year, when it re-formed. During that time, it's famous lead singer Courtney Love spent some time in rehab, which, at Linda Perry's encouragement, gave her time to write some new songs. Love sounds like she's in fine form on first single, "Skinny Little Bitch." (April 23)

Scouting for Girls - Everybody Wants to Be on TV. The British band, known for hits like "She's So Lovely" and "Elvis Ain't Dead," returns with their second album. (April 5)

David Byrne and Fatboy Slim - Here Lies Love. David Byrne of Talking Heads fame and Fatboy Slim teamed up with a bevy of female singers (Cyndi Lauper, Tori Amos, Nellie McKay, Sia, Santigold, etc.) on this concept album about....Philippino Imelda Marcos. No joke! (April 5)

B.o.B. - B.o.B. Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray. Atlanta rapper releases his debut featuring the better-everyday single "Nothin' on You" featuring Bruno Mars. (April 27)

Bonus: Natalie Imbruglia - Come to Life. Last year's fantastic album gets a UK release April 26.