MGMT invites you to open your mind to the multi-dimensional vibrating Technicolor sounds of Oracular Spectacular.
The term Oracular Spectacular might not mean much, if anything, at all--it's essentially nonsensical--but that doesn't stop it feeling exactlyright. Here is a band that treats dizzy cross-eyed awe and a vast bounding sense of sonic weightlessness as their yardstick, jostling to surpass themselves on a track-by-track basis and aiming for the musical equivalent of performing somersaults in tye-dye t-shirts off the rings of Jupiter. MGMT seemingly submit this debut album as an application to acquire and even supersede The Flaming Lips' previously uncontested mantle as spiritual leaders of over-sized Technicolor psychedelic-indie with a soul, weird but not so weird that swelling crowds and even flirtations with the charts aren't a foregone conclusion. "Time to Pretend" opens and sets a tone for the record, producer David Fridmann (Flaming Lips, Mercury Rev) providing a familiar expanse for them to riff across with bull's-eye synths, massive drums and their twist on the template--retro 80s electro and abstract shapes, see Suicide and the Talking Heads for reference. "The Youth" is centred around a hypnotically looping refrain that recalls Pink Floyd and David Bowie, as interpreted by a mellow Secret Machines and the brilliant "Pieces of What" is Ryan Adams spinning through cosmos with classic Neil Young on his headphones. "Future Reflections" meanwhile stand on its hands on a line somewhere in-between XTC and Ween. Thrillingly eclectic, endlessly colourful and never predictable. It's all a bit ridiculous, but indeed spectacularly so. --James Berry
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.0 / 5.0
MGMT stands for AWESOME:
I bought this cd because i really liked the song "electric feel" and often times when i buy a cd for one song, that ends up being the only song on the cd that i actually like. Not the case with MGMT's Oracle Spectacular, every song is truelly great. I find myself listening to the cd over and over again and never tire of it. Must-buy.
A song for every mood:
I love this album. There are songs for every mood, and it's especially perfect to drive to. I cannot recommend this album enough, I really enjoy every song, though for me, "Electric Feel" has become one of my all-time favorites. Listen and enjoy.
Ween without glue?:
This album is fun. Plain and simple... but maybe not so simple... Some of the track's lyrics have a deep thoughtful meaning if you want to look deeper, but if you're just looking for some catchy psychedelia to listen to while doing whatever it is you do, this is the album. MGMT reminded me of why I got into music in the first place.
best stuff I have heard in ages!:
its nice for a band to come along and really get to me, this one does very great melodic tunes, and electric feel is my favorite :) I recommend this to people who enjoyed spoon and the ting tings
