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When MGMT was asked by their record label for a list of their dream producers, with low expectations they sarcastically replied: Prince, Nigel Godrich, Barack Obama, and "not Sheryl Crow." Columbia returned with Dave Fridmann, the producer extraordinaire best known for his work with Flaming Lips and Mercury Rev. In typical Fridmann fashion, Oracular Spectacular is a glamorous mega-production through and through. Drums are massively distorted and shimmering keyboards are articulately layered as he takes the reins, leading the duo through his daisy chain of onboard compressors, delay units, and whatever other mysterious studio gizmos and gadgets he uses to get his trademark sound. Expectedly, the 14 karat polish enhances MGMT's blend of psychedelic and indie-electro to a shiny sonic gleam, resulting in some of the catchiest pop songs to come from NYC since the turn of the millennium. The tunes sound classic and new all at once, paying homage to Bowie, the Kinks, and the Stones, while updating traditional progressions with flashes of Royal Trux, Ween, and LCD Soundsystem. It's a wonderful mess of musical ideas, ranging from the dancy disco thump and Bee Gees falsetto of "Electric Feel" to the gritty acoustic-based "Pieces of What," to the grimy synth groove on the anthemic "Time to Pretend." With tongues planted firmly in cheeks, sardonic wit is as abundant as Andrew Van Wyngarden and Ben Goldwasser spoof the stereotypical rock & roll lifestyle with lines like "Lets make some music, make some money, find some models for wives/I'll go to Paris take some heroin and fuck with the stars." Despite the ever-present irony, the songs never feel insincere and the record is inherently strong throughout, making it a solid start to their career. ~ Jason Lymangrover, All Music Guide
more albums by this artist
See all-
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- Time To Pretend EP
- Released 2009
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- Electric Feel (Justice Remix)
- Released 2008
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- Kids (Soulwax Mix)
- Released 2008
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- Oracular Spectacular
- Released 2008
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listener reviews
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TOP 3
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- By ShaeRoc
- 2/2/2009 04:06:19
- MGMT- this album easily soars in my top 3 of '08. What I love bout the album is that the production and the lyrical content are at par.
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Greatest stuff ever.
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- By HurricaneLizz
- 1/7/2009 06:09:49
- I bought this album a while back, and I NEVER get tired of it. One of the greatest albums ever. I bought ALL their music. I love their music&them. :D!
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AWESOME
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- By blahsong
- 11/12/2008 21:20:14
- Yeah!!! Good album man, love it!!
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MGMT I Love You!
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- By doodlesmom
- 10/4/2008 11:43:28
- While I am also in love with the Time To Pretend EP and am trying to find the We (Don't) Care EP this is one of the best albums I have every been privy to. You guys are wonderfully innovative and I can't wait to see you as headliners 'cause I know you'll sellout instantly!
- 2 out of 2 people
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In Love
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- By QueenIce07
- 5/9/2008 21:27:30
- This albums is so eclectic. I hate how people want artists to confine themselves to one sound or style, but these guys broke the mold. There is something here for all of my moods. This is the first album I've fallen in love with.
- 6 out of 6 people
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