honestly, just throwing this out there. I really didn't like oracular. Like kids and time to pretend were fun to hear at parties but beyond that, the album just didn't do anything for me. That being sad, Congratulations is brilliant. I can hardly believe it is the same band. Like the whole synth-pop thing is still there but they sound much more like a rock band. They really made that step away from bull-**** to real psych and it is awesome. It sounds like Belle and Sebastian meets Of Montreal with a bit of surf rock thrown in. But there is so much going on that I can hardly reduce it just that. Someone's Missing has an almost mo-town/ Jackson Five breakdown, and an influence that I hear more and more with each listen. Just an awesome album. I can't imagine this not being on my top ten of the year.

What didn't you like about the album? I don't like synth pop at all, can't think of any synth pop bands I really like but I thought Oracular was a great album. Good fun, it had a great sing a long quality to it :D but I totally agree with what you're saying about Congratulations. My favourite album of the year thus far.

Listening to them on spotify after i got recommended them. I already know all the songs! I just didnt know song titles or artist. They are great. i shall be downloading the album for my ipod :D

I don't like Congratulations very much.

I thought the best tracks on their first album were the singles. They were fun, easy to listen to and poppy. This new album seems like a step in the wrong direction. Maybe it will take a few listens to get into it, but colour me unimpressed.

That's the idea of Congratulations, they made it to repel the people who were looking for singles.. I think it's a brilliant album, totally different. I didn't want to hear another Oractacular with 3 stand out singles. This album is much more complete IMO

agreed. just really great solid psychedelic music. i have a feeling a lot of people will not like this album and i am going to tell em all to **** off :beer:

Haha, that's the spirit!

That will be my response as well! :beer:

Haha, harsh. But that usually is my reaction if someone disses justice, I get maaaaad :mad:

The album's actually starting to grow on me now. I was unimpressed at first when i heard the tracks on their website, but after getting the album on cd today and spinning it a few times it's starting to reveal itself as a pretty solid psychedelic album. There's a real Flaming Lips feel to it and it might even be better than Oracular Spectacular. It looks like a step in the right direction for them.

I'm glad to be hearing these kinds of responses...I think I will actually give the album a shot now. I heard a new song on the radio and it just didn't do anything for me at all. If the album is indeed more cohesive, I'm sure I could enjoy the song in context.

Honestly, I'm glad they are doing it this way if it is indeed the case. Oracular was great, but I find myself being done with the album after I hear the hit songs. It really was a singles album, and I prefer album albums.