MGMT--Congratulations

Spaced-out Brooklynites come up short on sophomore album

I'm not sure if "Congratulations" is the appropriate celebratory expression to give MGMT for their so called Sixties inspired second album. To be honest, I'm not quite sure what to say about Congratulations. This album is as much a mystery as what goes on in the minds of MGMT frontmen Andrew VanWyngarden and Ben Goldwasser. Congratulations is undeniably a step towards a direction; I'm just not sure which direction the duo were aiming for. According to the recent issue of RollingStone, "MGMT are confident they've made the right album." Goldwasser goes on to say, "Recording Congratulations was the first time in my life that I was able to make whatever music I wanted to make and know that at least a few people are going to hear it." While that may be true, Congratulations fails to hold up to the duo's reputation as excitable craftsmen, willing to go all out on pushing the boundaries of musical composition.

While very strong at some points, MGMT miss the mark in areas that would have allowed them to shine. The duo have designated Congratulations as an ode to the pioneers and heroes before them; a tribute if you will to an era of psychedelic twelve minute jams, airy, layered vocals, and epic guitar anthems. While the flower power influence can be heard on only a handful of songs at different intricate moments, Congratulations sounds more like it could act as the score to an animated, educational children's show on PBS in 1974.

That's not a bad thing by no means, but if you say you're going to make a Sixties inspired album with cues taken from the Grateful Dead and Syd Barret, you better come through and do it right. As much as VanWyngarden and Goldwasser would like to have the album sound from the Summer of Love, it's just not. Although some songs do show a background cemented in early listens to The Byrds, The Beach Boys, and various Nuggets pop glory, this is an album that has more components of Electric Light Orchestra, Todd Rundgren, and Ozark Mountain Daredevils. If you want satisfying, successful Sixties done right, check out Dr. Dog's debut album, We All Belong. Congratulations is not disappointing though; as said before, the strengths are easy to pick out, but the weaknesses at times surmount to a pile of wasted analog tape.

A majority of the songs sound as if they have been labored over too long, thought out too much, dissected, and cut up and stitched back together again. The 60s sound is inconsistent, with their better songs sounding as B-sides to their hugely successful debut album Oracular Spectacular. Even as I write this, I can't help but listen to Oracular Spectacular instead. "Flash Delirium" is the only real successful Sixties inspired song on the album, incorporating huge choruses, churning organ, and the feeling that you're hearing a "Sixties dance hall vibe" according to VanWyngarden. Other songs such as "Brian Eno" and "I Found a Whistle" have a cheesy ? and the Mysterians vibe to it, relying heavily on the haunting sound of an organ. Album closer "Congratulations" takes it's bass line from The Band's "The Weight." Hmm...maybe thats why it is so good? "Someone's Missing" is easily the highlight of the album, the little brother to their other funktastic hit, "Electric Feel." "Song for Dan Treacy" does the Television Personalities' frontman proud, reminiscent of early Elvis Costello. The other pleasing highlight, "Siberian Breaks," is a Yes fan's wet dream; an epic twelve minute journey through landscapes of holograms and smoke machines.

Congratulations just doesn't work for them. Only a handful of groups can attempt this retro genre and be successful. It seems as if the group is trying too hard to escape the fame acquired from Oracular Spectacular. If thats the case, we're sorry, but you'll always be remembered for some the catchiest, dance jams of the last ten years. MGMT picked the wrong time to experiment on their sophomore album. VanWyngarden and Goldwasser should stick to what they do best: making people dance, not making people second guess them. MGMT are a talented group of musicians with a talent for creating fun songs to listen to. Save the time for experimenting where you're four or five albums down the road. If you want satisfying, successful Sixties done right, check out Dr. Dog's debut album, We All Belong. There is no "Time to Pretend" or "Kids" on this one. For them, Congratulations is their middle school art project; a compilation of mix and matched attempts resulting in a collage held together by staples and Elmer's glue.

Rating: 75/100

--Mike

MGMT--"Someone's Missing"