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Oracular Spectacular

What began as a band focused on electro clash back in 2002, quickly transformed into an eclectic indie group with a heavily shifting psychedelic pop influence beneath it. This change was partly due to the influences that the two band members, Andrew Vanwyngarden and Ben Goldwasser, were inspired by.

‘Oracular Spectacular’ is MGMT’s first major label studio album. It is packed with unfathomable and a slightly confusing collection of sounds. Some of the tracks present have the occasional pop hooks for a new state of music. But unfortunately, there is nothing that stands out and looks set to push them into a world of superstardom.

The album begins like a very optimistic Marilyn Manson song. ‘Time To Pretend’ has a constant beat, with beeps at the introduction to kick off a bad headache. This track serves as a "mission statement" with a theme that is continued through the proceeding tracks. This one is mocks the clichéd drugs and women rock-star lifestyle. The album continues with a simple Scissor sister’s type track of ‘Weekend Wars’ and the electric ‘Electric Feel’. There are some heavy waves in ‘The Handshake’, which slowly makes me want to sleep and this same feeling is felt as ‘The Youth’, a dreary little number begins to play to the stereo.

As ‘Oracular Spectacular’ gets to the last few tracks, it begins to actually improve. ‘Pieces Of What’ is more acoustic; the strumming of guitars adds a little beat. There is the faint echo of harmonies through the track. The penultimate track ‘Of Moons, Birds And Monsters’ has an indie folksy beat, soft strumming guitars and vocals that are quite deep. On occasions this track can become quite intense. The concluding track to this album is ‘Future Reflections’. It is a track that has a never knowing beat, which keeps you on your toes.

To summarise the reaction I had to this album is difficult. Within many tracks there was something that made me think “…huh”. But for the majority they floated right on past the ears of this listener.