Signed to Sony/Columbia Records, MGMT (diminutive for Management) are a rare case of risk-taking in a time when most major-labels have given up and are just making safe-bets to survive. And how did they get here? Two young Brooklyn guys, a home-made record ("Time To Pretend EP", out in 2005) and, all of a sudden, being in the studio to record their first full-length album accompanied by Flaming Lips music producer Dave Fridmann and becoming everyone's new favourite band (as they're about to). It must have been exciting for them and, thankfully, we can also totally feel it when hearing this album, full of that contagious and sincere enthusiasm that is so special. An amalgamation of disparate references and influences (glam-rock, electro, psych-folk, funk, 1970's prog...), "Oracular Spectacular" has an intense and epic feeling from start to end that is, quite simply, breathtaking. Full of catchy pop melodies as rarely-heard before and loaded with vicious hooks and intricate structures, the rule must have basically been "everything goes!" to create a brand-new universe inspired in mythological figures and the eternal-youth potion. And finally, an extra bonus: amongst all the wonderful melodic bricolage and risky experimentation, there are at least two songs that have everything to become generational anthems (no kidding here!). Have a listen to the synth-loaded "Kids" and the intense hello-we're-here moment that is "Time To Pretend" and feel the goosebumps. Blinding! (9/10)
MGMT - Time To Pretend (video)
"This is our decision, to live fast and die young / We've got the vision, now let's have some fun."
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