The Management (MGMT) - Oracular Spectacular (2007)
-What I expected vs. what they are. You can decide.
I'd like to start off by saying that about a year-&-a-1/2ish ago, when I was sitting doing drugs with my friends, this song "Time to Pretend" came on the television, amazed me, and then left. To me it sound like it was all about the glory and wonders of drugs. I was so ****ing dumb back then. Enjoy my album review!
1. Time to Pretend (4:21)
The albums opening track was also their first single. My personal feelings for this song are not influenced by its short-lived fame. Kaboom! Time to Pretend kicks the album off with with some inspiring mainstream sounding music- but not without a feeling of "something very special". The lyrics, in its fame, were probably mass misinterpreted as purely drug-glorifying. If you actually listen to it, though, you would realize the atmosphere and the lyrics combine and both make a point. It isn't all drug-glorifying.
2. Weekend Wars (4:12)
The second song is pretty damn good. Andrew VanWyngarden and Ben Goldwasser start to show off their ability to come together and make well-written progressive lyrics. On top of that, their music is different somehow. I think a feeling of "specialness" predominates throughout the entire album.
3. The Youth (3:48)
The feeling is louder then the chorus. Pretty good I'd say for a couple college guys who accidentally started a band. A psychadelically peaceful atmosphere, and of course the lyrics to back it up. I haven't heard a song like this on the radio since The Beatles were playing like mad when Across the Universe came out.
4. Electric Feel (3:50)
This song is easy to dance to, but not great in comparison to their potential. The fact that this made it as a single is what makes me believe "Time to Pretend" was misinterpreted by the masses. They must be out of thier mind, but, to each is own!
5. Kids (5:03)
What is this song about? What is it about! I don't know, but it's catchy and emotional. The sound of children in the beggening gives you the eerie feeling of early childhood and the beat bleeds into it, this makes for chills down your spine. The lyrics are beautiful and touching. Overall; it's a powerful combination of great diction, musical talent, and good timing. The ending leaves you with goosebumps.
Okay. In my oppinion, this is where the album starts to change for the better. There are no singles past this point, and things start to sound different. That "something special" is still there, but is used differently.
6. 4th Dimensional Transition (3:58)
Getting a little more out there. Too out there for the radio anyway. The lyrics have gone through metamorphasis and are now pure poetry. The music becomes more progressive, and easily sweeps you from your skin. These songs are the ones which make me want to keep an eye on them; watch them evolve.
7. Pieces of What (2:44)
Unlike "Time to Pretend", this song doesn't start off with euphony. I like it better this way. If it wasn't for songs like this I would never have taken a second look at Time to Pretend anyway. It's a bit different feel then the rest of the album, but still a pretty good song.
9. Of Moons, Birds, and Monsters (4:47)
Starts off with a drum beat and a quick pop! Then goes through various transitions, all pretty close in sound. In this song I like: the way it isn't stanza, chorus, stanza, chorus, etc, the guitar, the transitions, the atmosphere, the lyrics, the... well, you get the point. The song itsn't bad.
10. The Handshake (3:40)
"When you, warped temptress, rose to bring me happiness and wealth" This is my favorite song from the album. I'm biased though, I relate to it a lot. These lyrics are seriously amazing, it tells a beautiful story and is very powerful.
11. Future reflections (4:00)
Energy! Then the clam singing of poetry. Transitions, electric pschyadelia, and some more busts of energy. The song doesn't threatan to momentarily zone you out, it just goes ahead and does it. Before the last thirty seconds it peaks, and slowly drops you down to the end of an album filled with talent.
Overall, I'm leaving the album up to you. I'm sure by now you have gathered I think they really have something special, and that I hope to see more of them. Though I'm not sure if I ever will. Them seem to be gone.
The song is only on the Vinyl:
12. Metanoia (13:49)
Not at all like the other songs, this song starts off very calming and quiet. More poetry lyrics, beautiful of course. On top of that, they show a better use of instraments in this song. It very slowly starts gaining momentum, then, around 90 seconds gets more interesting, defenitly more intersting... Boom! Instantly there's a bullet of emotion, and some really good music! ..then some random talking for a few seconds... then some crazy jamming. Anyway, it's a very intersting song. Listen to it.