Album Review: MGMT’s Congratulations

MGMT

Columbia Records: Congratulations

The men who are MGMT, Andrew VanWyngarden and Ben Goldwasser, deserve a round of applause. The two, whom met each other during their freshman years at Wesleyan University in 2005, have completed the ultimate task of psychedelic rock. The pair has successfully translated the effects of mind-altering drugs (yes, the same that tripped out our grandparents in the 60’s) into sound. Congratulation‘s effect as an album about drugs isn’t nearly effective as its ability to simulate the effects of drugs. Rest assured, the results will blow your mind: mushroom style.

After the global success of their debut album, Oracular Spectacular, a wave of aftershock hit the duo inversely. The newfound superstar status scared the two. It put a strain on their teamwork and forced them to take a step back and absorb the weight of being a celebrity. Although it seems they cracked under the pressure they did not break under it. They flocked to Malibu and used a full band for the first time in recording sessions to create the pop-less, icon adoring drug called Congratulations.

This work is a complete interpretation of MGMT, no corporate influence on this record. Its sound is passionate and stimulating. A listen can be compared to getting so high you can shake hands (or feelers) with the aliens who made it. The first song, “It’s Working,” is about for the effects of ecstasy. The anticipation is felt with each rapid kick drum increasing speed like a heartbeat. VanWyngarden echoes – “But if I try to feel at all I am deceived/My mind’s affected/It’s empty now/As I lay down/I feel alright/ My heart is racing.” Even with these daunting lyrics this song is the closest it gets to pop.

Every song is a mini-drug-induced opera. Imagine taking shrooms and watching cirque de soliel nine different times. From the 2:29 time bomb “Someone’s Missing” to the 12:09 multi –faced dragon “Siberian Breaks.” “Someone’s Missing” has snuck up to take the best song award on this album. It starts of slow and gutless. VanWyngarden matches the Arabian guitar with resonating lyrics that builds up into an incredible breakdown. Cowbell, a funky guitar strum and, the focal point, a descending heavy bass totally turns the song 180 degrees and makes for the best 44 seconds on the album.

The lead single, “Flash Delirium,” features some of the most insane lyrics around. It truly is an Anthony Kiedis moment with lines like “ The hot dog’s getting cold/And you’ll never be as good as the Rolling Stones/Watch the birds in the airport gathering dirt/Crowd the clean magazine chick lifting up her skirt.” A billowing guitar teams with a church-organ synth melody to culminate in, yet again, another massive breakdown. Amidst an explosion of bursting keyboard, wiggling guitar and loud crashing drums VanWyngarden shrieks – “Sue the spiders/Sink the Welsh/Stab your facebook/ Sell sell sell/ Undercooked/ Overdone/ Mass adulation not so funny/ Poisoned honey/ Pseudo science/ Silly money/ You’re my honey” – A group of MGMT-style cluster-fuck, spoken-word, vague outcries.

The albums fades out quite technically like the come down of a high. A self titled track that sums up the musical theme of the album. Slow, spacey bass, a maneuvering guitar and echoed vocals, this time about the struggle of fame. The keys flow on occasion evoking a gentle wave. The band suggests all they need is a congratulation to assure that their music is heard. “I save my grace with half-assed guilt/And lay down the quilt upon the lawn/Spread my arms and soak up congratulations” – the last lines. The band deserves one after-all, they made an incredible album fueled purely on merit – and maybe a drug or two.

Might we recommend some previous shows & blogs you might totally digg:

Read The Review That Started It All Julius C :: OK, OK.

Read The Album Review of Sia :: We Are Born

Download Free Music From TV Buddhas – “Let Me Sleep”

Read The Review on Attack Attack’s self-titled sophomore release.

Check Out Turrtle Phoning it in!