So I was kinda nervous about seeing these guys live. Something about them made me think they'd be more of a studio band--I dunno, maybe it's the goofy costumes. And yet, there they were in NY last night rocking the shit out of Webster Hall...in full mariachi regalia.

It was one of the best shows I've seen in a long time. They definitely can play, and shifted effortlessly between the slinky funk (the floor at Webster Hall was bouncing like a trampoline people were dancing so hard), ear-splitting prog rock, folk and maybe best of all, a hard-rock version of Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, which the lead singer did like an OCTAVE ABOVE CYNDI.

I love it when gimmicks are backed up by real skill.
[Edited 10/31/08 8:49am]

damn. i might have to check 'em if they pass through. actually, i think they already did with Beck.

Great little band.

Cinnie said:

That's a really good way to put it. Not sure they're ever going to be anything bigger than "little," but sometimes, that's kind of a nice thing...

Recently heard the title track piped in on intercom speakers. Sounded really good. Had to ShaZam it to make sure I knew what it was.

They rocked in Chicago too.

MendesCity said:

Sure, but over here in The Netherlands they are selling out every gig they plan, it won't be long until they'll be performing in the bigger venues. I failed at getting tickets for their upcoming show here in Amsterdam.....

BTW, am I the only one who thinks that 'Electric Feel' sounds a lot like early Prince-material??? (I mean that in a good way, ofcourse! )

Im really enjoying their album - and its nice to hear that a couple of guys who started out playing their computers and synths can cut it live too.

They're playing tonight here in manchester, but im gonna have to miss out.....bah.

abierman said:

No, the sounds of the guitars and synths and falsetto all sorta sound like "In Love" to me.

If you like MGMT, I recommend a band out of Massachusetts called Chester French.

Cinnie said:

or 'Lovin'Cup', in a way.....

abierman said:

Or the ending of "I Wanna Be Your Lover" that got faded off on the edit for The Hits.

Mara said:

I saw MGMT a few months back and they had no stage presence at all? They can only improve though.

As for the album....I thought it was a letdown after hearing the first single. That wasn't their fault though as the album happened to have 3 songs (Time To Pretend, Electric Feel & Kids) which were absolutely superb followed by pretty lackluster songs in comparison. It'll be interesting to hear what they can do on their follow-up album for Columbia.

Fiend said:

They're brand new and really young. Hell, folks said the same thing about Prince for his first two or three tours.

Cinnie said:

He introduced Chester French when I saw them live several months back.

Mara said:

Just gave it a listen, actually sounds a bit like that rock band Pharrell produced, forget their name.

It's nice, but it has the same problem as a lot of the Pharrell stuff--great sound, but the melody isn't quite there