I guess I should't really be surprised, but these wankers went in the complete wrong direction for their second album, ignoring all their silly pop/electro potential and indulging their awful prog-pop indulgences. It's bad, like early Genesis/Jethro Tull bad. I don't think I can listen to it twice bad.

Wankers.
[Edited 4/4/10 15:19pm]

They were always a joke...

MendesCity said:

damn it

I liked it.. wasn't a big fan of their first album (at all) apart from "The Youth", "Electric Feel", and "Weekend Wars".

Only listened to it once, but didn't sound awful to my ears.

i've only listened to a few tracks so far but i liked what i heard. the bold difference in direction reminds me of what prince did after purple rain, u2 after achtung baby, and wolf parade after apologies to the queen.

I'm obsessed with their single "Flash Delirium" right now.
I hope the rest of the album is as good.

didn't even know they had a new album out. will have to check it out

I think the record is great. Its a mix between early Davis Bowie and early Brian Eno (think Alladin Sane, Diamond Dogs, and Here come the warm Jets). If you like Flash Delirium then you'll love the rest of the album. It's very different from the first, but it's very good on it's own. Its a record that you need to sit on and gets better with each listen.

I guess everyone just wants pop....

Bkeeper said:

Most people consider Achtung Baby to be their bold difference from their entire catalog leading up to it.

But yes, most of Zooropa and Pop went even farther down that road before they returned to their earlier (signature) sound.

larksanders said:

I really liked the Kids EP - moreso than the album really. How does the new album compare to that EP, or even the Justice remix?

Se7en said:

oops, i meant U2 after Joshua tree. haha, thanks for catching that!

larksanders said:

Agreed - - - i'm starting to really get into this album. At first listen it was kinda like... eh? Kind of Flaming Lips meets early 70's Bowie or something. I dunno... but it just works. Has a great overall sound and vibe. Gets better with each listen, IMHO.

http://www.perthnow.com.a...5852575042

MGMT apologise for latest album's new sound

MGMT are "sorry" about their new album.

The duo - Andrew VanWyngarden and Ben Goldwasser - admit their latest LP Congratulations is a radical departure from their commercially-successful debut, ‘Oracular Spectacular’, because it contains “no hits and no singles” and they were astonished their record company Sony/Columbia let them release it.

Ben said: “We don’t understand why anyone let us do this. We’re both sorry.”

Andrew insists the label recognised their LP was a risk and that they are standing by their decision to make an unconventional release.

He added to The Guardian newspaper: “They recognised that it was a bold move. Well, sorta.

“They were happy that it was creatively... You know, we put time and effort into it and made something they were really proud of. At the same time, I think they were a little perplexed as to how to market it."

i don't see it as such a radical departure. it's a hypnotic, brilliant record in my opinion. it definitely requires repeated listens but everytime i hear it i like it better.

Se7en said:

I liked their pop stuff, felt fresh and clever. This just feels willfully obscure. The Lady Dada instrumental prog-lounge crap is enough to make it a turkey alone.
[Edited 5/5/10 4:48am]

MendesCity said:

Completely love it. Excellent album.

I've also loved reading the music snobbery in the negative reviews. That somehow 'prog' is so completely and innately inferior to an album of 2 & 1/2 minute pop songs, that it actually goes without saying. You only have to say the word 'prog', and you instantly realise that it could never have the artistic depth and integrity as a 15 minute Ramones album.

Wankers.

TyphoonTip said:

Agreed. There is brilliant prog, and horrible prog - - just like any other genre.

This album has some prog-rock elements, but it's more a twisty, psychedelic pop kinda thing. It's really beautifully crafted and jeers off in unexpected directions, but it works.... really pulls together many different sounds and influences into a cohesive whole.

R u serious?

This album is better than the 1st. No, its not full of hooks, and lacks "funk," but its way more consistent, and a giid show of progression.



Oh, and I LOVE the harmonies on the 1st track, Its Working.

i am still loving this album greatly. And the video for Flash Delirium is awesome. I have no idea what any of it means but i Love it.