(click here to stream the whole album)
Just take a look at the album cover to MGMT's sophomore effort, Congratulations, to the right. It was purposely designed to look that ugly, off putting and unappealing. In fact it's one of the most unattractive pieces of album art since The Bloodhound Gang's Hefty Fine . Yet, believe it or not, there is meaning behind the madness.
Observe the two headed (or blurred single head - it all depends on which chemical you have in your system) animal that eerily resembles Felix the Cat. Those would be our intrepid heroes who founded the band, Andrew VanWyngarden and Ben Martin Goldwasser. Also consider the wave in the shape of a much angrier Felix the Cat as it is about to devour the twosome. That would be our good friend Mr. Ambition. And much like the head shaped wall of water, ambition seems to be ever so close to drowning these Ivy League hipsters who burst onto the scene in 2007 with Oracular Spectacular.
Yet our surf boarding songwriters seem to be ahead of the curve - even if it is just barely and still fearful of what lies ahead. Second albums can be scary - especially when the selling point of your first album was wearing make up which resembled Marilyn Manson performing in Cats.
While songs like "Kids", "Electric Feel" and "Time To Pretend" (all from the band's debut album) were instantly accessible bits of ear candy complete with synth hooks and easy going ambitions, Congratulations is far less glossy but more earnest effort. Goodbye fake fans.
Those looking for another round of fun loving YouTube moments had best look elsewhere. This is an album in the very sense of the word - a collection of songs that fit. The old marriage of radio singles and filler are gone - sort of. Nothing sticks out upon first listen, and I suppose that's why the cover is so outrageous - if the music doesn't get you at first what else will?
Think of Congratulations as the morning after to the party on Oracular Spectacular. Acoustic guitars, swirling synths and floating melodies all come together in an unusual, yet modestly successful, mash up that comes off like The Mama and The Papa mixed with the least irritating parts of Animal Collective. - I know right.
The album opener (and best song) "It's Working" is the closest MGMT get to having a good time. A surf board boogie guitar riff quickly dead ends into an Arthur Lee-esque melody. The chorus belongs somewhere in The Graduate soundtrack. "Love is only in your mind, not in your heart" they sing with effortless glee.
Other good ideas abound as well. "I Found A Whistle" is a paranoid ballad where the band wield "a pistol aimed at your heart". Nice try guys, but no one is afraid of your soft sided tunes. Just let us mellow out without the threat of violence.
However the last third of the album is nothing short of forgettable. It's sad really because Congratulations is only 9 songs long. If MGT want to have any staying power, they had better come up with more than 6 noteworthy songs every 3 years. I suppose that's what happens when you design your band around a gimmick and you're not The White Stripes. You're expected to deliver on a joke.
Grade: C
Key Tracks: "It's Working" "Siberian Breaks" "I Found A Whistle"
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