Released - 4/13/10
Label - Sony Music Entertainment
BLURB - Along with Vampire Weekend's "Contra," MGMT's "Congratulations" was one of 2010's most anticipated releases. Whereas Vampire Weekend refined their sound from the band's hugely successful debut album into an even more quirky, yet commercially acceptable afro-pop sound, nobody really knew what direction "Congratulations" would take MGMT. Their first record, which was critically acclaimed, delved into alternative folk rock and experimental pop. On "Congratulations" the band seems to have come full circle, creating an album that will undoubtedly be listened to ten years from now. But unlike their debut, MGMT's second record is a progressive enigma that will require some time and patience for it's true genius to be appreciated.
Rating - 8.5 out of 10
FULL STORY - "It's Working" starts off with a quick surf-rock hook that briefly makes you think, oh great MGMT has gone SoCal on us. But as you stay with the tune you kind of have to slap yourself for thinking that. "It's Working" introduces the listeners to the new MGMT and more importantly the concept behind the album. The concept being this rightfully selfish idea that MGMT wanted to create the best record MGMT could create. It would be big, it would be progressive, and record labels would hate it. But more importantly...it would be MGMT. Everything from the instrumentation to the vocals to the production on the album, has a very over-the-top feel. It's somewhat hard to explain, but on "It's Working" the tones feel brighter, the instruments seem tighter - a great way to introduce the album that everyone's been waiting for. The great thing about "It's Working" is that the song is constantly changing, making it impossible to stop listening to. No two verses are the same as MGMT cleverly varies the arrangements, pace and style of each. Additionally as the song is ending, the chorus modulates to several different keys, creating new shades and colors that are constantly enhancing and augmenting it's feel.
The third track on the album feels like something out of a broadway musical. "Someone's Missing" draws the listener in with it's gentile guitars and eloquent vocals. Within a minute or so, MGMT slowly starts building up and readying for the refrain - creating anticipation and excitement as they go. As "It feels like someone's missing..." rings out, you instantly want to stand up and sing along. There is a unifying yet psychedelic quality to this song that reminds me of something that would have come out of Haight-Ashbury back in the day. Maybe it's just the ironic nature of this incredibly feel-good and uplifting track that ponders the idea of someone that may or may not be missing. Whatever it is, it works. Also, that funky descending bass line doesn't hurt.
The so-called single of the album, if you can call it that, is "Flash Delirium" and it is no "Electric Feel." The only way I can describe "Flash Delirium" is weird. When I first heard it I was like, "What the fuck is this?" As an admitted fan of MGMT's past hits, this new single came out of left field and blindsided me. The song itself is fairly eery and wanders around for a while just looking for a place to set up shop. This place comes at about two minutes into the song when we're met with a flute solo and a slowed down bridge that pushes us to the edge of our seat, wondering just where the hell this song is going to go next. After one last obligatory chorus, the music briefly cuts out leaving a chorus of vocals - leading directly into an amazing production that serves as the outro. You can call it the 'wall of sound' effect or whatever you want, but MGMT once again fuses everything they possibly can into this portion of the song and it pays off. Among other instruments, the organs really stand out and add character and depth to this not so normal single. The other great aspect of the song is the lyrics, and their general wackiness:
"The hot dog's getting cold and you'll never be as good as the Rolling Stones. Watching the birds in the airport gathering dirt, crowd the clean magazine chick lifting up her skirt."
MGMT begins getting their Pink Floyd and Beatles comparisons on their epic "Siberian Breaks," which clocks in at 12:10. After starting out with solely acoustic instruments, the group slowly begins incorporating a middle eastern flair, creating a nice wrinkle in the music that we've heard in Congratulations, up to this point. After a very full and bright chorus, MGMT switches the tempo up, simultaneously switching their vocals to that of spoken word. This spoken word section is accompanied by numerous, well-crafted instrumentals transforming the song in to this strange, musical fairy tale-esque atmosphere. After weaving their way in and out of this atmosphere, the track begins to reclaim shape around the seven minute mark. From there we begin to feel like this journey is coming to it's terminal, but no - we're presented with an outro that sounds like something straight off of "Toeachizown." Brilliant.
Rounding out the album is perhaps the only song that synchs up with that initial surf-rock lead-in we heard on "It's Working" with "Brian Eno." Easily the fastest and most frenetic track on the album, "Brian Eno" provides that perfect shot of energy you need after listening to "Siberian Breaks."
The eighth track on the album offers up a complete instrumental and a masterfully crafted dark soundscape, aptly titled "Lady Dada's Nightmare." I have no idea who Lady Dada is, but I'd imagine if she ever had a nightmare - this is exactly what it would sound like.
While I can do without "I Found a Whistle" and title track "Congratulations," the album as a whole is exceptionally well done and unlike anything I've heard the past 5-10 years. For that reason alone I feel like this album will still hold weight and credibility for the next 5-10 years, and likely even longer that. If you're were looking to get another album of "Electric Feel" and "Kids," you're terribly mistaken. Listening to "Congratulations" makes "Oracular Spectacular" feel uninspired and predictable. Now that's saying something.
Tracks
1.) It's Working
2.) Song for Dan Treacy
3.) Someone's Missing
4.) Flash Delirium
5.) I Found a Whistle
6.) Siberian Breaks
7.) Brian Eno
8.) Lady Dada's Nightmare
9.) Congratulations
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