Initially, without listening to MGMT, I brushed them off as a noun/verb - digit band (ala, SUM-41, blink-182, etc). I noticed that their album was still ranked pretty high in the iTunes store a couple of weeks ago, I bought it. I’m really glad I did. Turns out, it’s a really good band. The tracks fall into the danceable category with lyrics that are decent.
Oracular Spectacular was produced with by Dave Fridmann, the Flaming Lips’ producer. It is very apparent. The album made complete sense after I discovered.* The feel of the album reminds me very much of the Lips. The ways that he creates space and timbres in the music gives it buoyancy and life. Crisp, interesting, and permeable sounds dominate the landscape. He seems to do this by bouncing ostinato style sounds between the left and right speakers, as well as using it for call-response type lines in other instrumental sections. It turns it into definite headphone material.
This one is worth picking up.
8/10
* I love my iPhone and buying music on iTunes, but it sure does suck that you can’t look at linear note like you used it. I know apple will solve this sooner than later… but it’s still too bad.
I am glad you have a blog. I like to read it. I really like it that you clue me in to good new music. We have similar taste (wonder why?)