Maybe "Congratulations" or Maybe Not: MGMT's New Album

MGMT's new album, Congratulations, has received mixed press. The album is stirring the critic pool, causing wakes which might be intended. As Michael Roffman from Consequence of Sounds wrote in his review, "The boys behind MGMT want to tell you something. It’s short and to the point. That message? Thanks for listening, but fuck you." In comparison Culture Bully stated "the record is hardly as unlistenable as some have made it out to seem; the album retains a continuous flow and offers a variety of different sounds within the larger umbrella of modern psychedelic rock."

It's hard to say whether Ben Goldwasser's apology in an interview with Spinner Magazine is sincere, and why should it? Regarding their fans' negative response towards the first single "Flash Delirium," Goldwasser told Spinner, "I'm sure there are plenty of people who think it's completely weird and not what they were expecting. I'm sorry." Sorry won't cut it bub, I want another "Kids," make me dance!

All the hoopla and critique have left SFCritic wondering: What's the big deal? With Oracular Spectacular, MGMT took the world by storm and soon after (and in this order), Rolling Stone magazine awarded the album eighteenth best of the decade. In essence, if a "music critic" didn't review this album it ought to be for the reason of political resistant, or a death wish to one's general credibility. But in this instance, when an album like Congratulations winds up on your doorstep, it's like that baby you never intended to adopt: it could change your life, for better or for worse, or it could be just a story. I mean the album is THAT important to everyone, right? Who cares about waiting to review the album after the scheduled release date?

In the Spinner interview, Goldwasser stated that fame is "not our world. We don't feel comfortable in it. But we didn't want to make that typical second album either, about fame. So we're definitely observing it, as opposed to reveling in it."Kudos sir. Who needs those "I love MGMT" fans who knew only three of your songs ("Kids," "Time to Pretend," and "Electric Feel"). I'm sure Milli Vanilli would roll in his grave over your career decision, Congratulations.

All things considered, MGMT might be saying "fuck you," but who are we to tell them what to say? Who wants a fair-weather fan? Who gives a shit what such and such blog has to say? "Here you go blogs, Congratulations. Here's out album, whatever, fight amongst yourselves for editorial supremacy, see if we care!" So being SFCritics, we feverishly debated over a cold one and thought to share bits of our conversation--not because it makes a difference, but because we like to read our thoughts. Congratulations for reading.

*While listening to the album*


Eve: Why make a such a huge departure from the first album? Why not have singles? You were actually really good at singles MGMT. What's wrong with being good at something, huh?

David: Yeah, I'm not good at anything. I don't think they should be sorry though. I mean, I doubt they're really sorry, but even so--their job is to make music, not win a popularity contest.

Eve: Making something totally different is one thing; it doesn't have to be bad, it could be great--but it's not. It sounds like a musical, like the Wiz or some horror score. ["Lady Dada's Nightmare" plays] I've been listening to it all day. This song sucks too.

David: Why is a wretched woman screaming off at the top of her lungs? I was scared when I was eight and heard "Thriller," but this is ten folds more intense. Whether it's one in the same maybe after fifteen more plays I'll have a better answer, but why give it fifteen plays?

Eve: I suppose I can respect them if the point is doing something creative. Oracular Spectacular had these three really great singles, and for many people that's MGMT. Now, this album doesn't have really any stand-out singles, which they communicated on NPR. Unfortunately it also isn't very good.

David: If they had put out an album that sounded just like the last one, and then on top of that it was awful, that would be tragic. The album is either like a bad joke, and the jokes on us for either liking it or hating it--or well, I don't know--it's a bad joke right?

Stream MGMT's New Album "Congratulations"

Last week, following the leak of their hotly anticipated sophomore release, MGMT decided to stream Congratulations in its entirety over at WHOISMGMT?.The site also features the video for "Flash Delirium." The album itself leaves behind the epic electro-rock singles of Oracular Spectacular, in favor of a more subtle surf rock-influenced sound. The scheduled release is April 13th. Stay tuned for the full SFCritic review to come.

A&R: The Music Submissions

Battle Flags - Color Engine

The email I received from artist Jack Budd, the solo artist known as Battle Flags, was, puzzling at best, off-putting at worst. Budd stated that the album itself began as a stencil graffiti in what I assume was a dorm room in Richmond, Virginia. He described the music as a mix of sounds from "stolen pots, pans, shovels, empty kegs, and living room chairs." I have listened to the album and find this an entirely inaccurate description of its sound. The whole thing has a lot more polish, a diversity of sounds borrowed from hip-hop, Daft Punk, than such a description evokes. "Her" is a simply breezy love song, filled almost to the brim with horns and hand-played percussion. More highly produced, synth-based tracks evoke hints of Justice as on "Catch a Fire." The military-style drums, most effective on "Siren Sounds" and "Won't Come Around Here," lend a cohesiveness that lacks in the album's overtones. When almost everyone can whip up an album with a Macbook Pro and a microphone, Color Engine shows that sometimes the results can be worth checking out.

Sounds Like: A pleasant stroll through his musical influences.
Listen To: Her, Siren Sounds, Won't Come Around Here

Fate Lions - Good Enough for You

While it would be easy to say that the Texas-based Fate Lions had me at the witty copy splashed across their website, that's not really fair. Yes, they have crafted a smart voice, and I appreciate that. But is their, ahem, "wannabe smarty pants fist pumping roller rink bubble gum downer pop" any good? Thankfully, the answer is yes. It is pretty good! The production is ultra-smooth, the arrangements lush but uncomplicated. Album-opener "Seen it All" energetically sets the stage with classic rock guitars and hand claps. If you like it, chances are you will be delighted the whole way through. Fate Lions clearly have a firm grip on their sound, and are not trying to reinvent the wheel. When "The Queen Himself" begins you fear you are about to hear a misguided Bowie homage, but the song stays true to their talents and might be my favorite on the album. "All You Do is Crazy" subtly showcases really lovely harmonies, which are another of the album's stand-out highlights. There are, naturally, a few moments it could do without, including most of "Our Song," which feels flat and borders on Junior Prom slow dance. For the most part, however, the album is full of the type of sunny, juicy arrangements for which the term "summer jam" was coined.

Sounds Like: The Foo Fighters, Weezer, and Ben Kweller's love-baby.
Listen To: The Queen Himself, Seen it All

News in Music Blogs

In an effort to define SFCritic into a streamlined, user-friendly content, we will be running the "News in Music Blogs," a weekly update of interesting blog posts, discussion topics, and event listings in the music blogging community. Think Largehearted Boy with a focus on San Francisco events, and only music topics. The catch, we want your voice. Read a post you want to share, have an event you think is appropriate for SFCritic, interested in continuing a larger online discussion, email us links, or comment below!

Bay Area

SFCritic recently caught up Sila and The Afrofunk Experience, who recently were awarded best "World Music" by the NAACP. Check back for the interview!

Epicsauce.com, one of our favorite Bay Area show lists, is debuting a hot new event series at Milk (1840 Haight St - across from Amoeba Records). The kick-off is Thursday, March 11th and will feature local bands French Miami, White Cloud and Silian Rail. The show is free, and there will be awesome drink specials ($1 PRBs and select $3 pints). More information and an official RSVP can be found at: http://bit.ly/ccrEW7 and http://epicsauce.com/party

Radiohead's Thom Yorke's much-anticipated solo project Atoms for Peace has announced a handful of dates with Flying Lotus. The tour is visiting Oakland's Fox Theater April 15, among a handful of others.

General

Hole, lead by the much maligned Courtney Love is planning their first big come-back show at SXSW this year. SFCritic will be there to cover it!


Broken Bells (consisting of Danger Mouse and James Mercer of The Shins) a new SFCritic favorite, brought their first single/video "The High Road" to Letterman.

MGMT announces secret events around the country, which apparently should be entitled, "big fail."

Yeasayer's video for the stand-out song on their album Odd Blood is out. Popjustice got the exclusive yesterday.

A&R: The Music Submissions

Conil - Strange Part of the Country

In the 1990s, there was grunge. Seattle bands like Pearl Jam, Nirvana, and Soundgarden dominated the music (and fashion, but that's for a different blog) of decade. They emerged as soulful, grating, and immediately identifiable "voices of a generation". This year the nostalgia for grunge is rapidly taking over pop culture. After a listen to the debut album from London-based singer/songwriter Conil, one can't help but recall the music styling of twenty years-ago Seattle. Called the "anti-James Blunt", it is clear that Conil is establishing himself as a gritty and emotional artist. He has a great voice, at times clear and exhibiting impressive range, still with plenty of cigarettes and coffee gruffness. The single "Stoned" has a harder, mainstream rock sound than some of his others, and also feels a little more flat all around. "Years Between" is the most melancholy of the bunch, but better exhibits the vocal skill that is really the best part of the album.

Sounds Like: The Verve Pipe
Listen To: "Years Between", "Grapevine"


Clare and The Reasons - Arrow

It is rare that something as cute as Clare and The Reasons contains as much depth and appeal. Brooklyn-based collaborators Clare and Olivier Manchon released their sophomore album, Arrow, in October. It is full of unapologetic-ally pretty songs that sound like the soundtrack to the movie of a downtown New York romance. With a sound that specifically executed it would be easy to write Arrow off as a bit of a gimmick, but that is just the very basis of its appeal. "You've Got Time" is a bit spare on the surface, a combination of Clare's hypnotic vocals, few lyrics, and an undulating synth line, but gradually opens into a deep arrangement of strings and backing vocals. "Alphabet City" is a slow reminiscence with smart lyrics and an infectious chorus. There is a cleanness to the music, a deliberateness to its execution, that makes this album feel at once personal and appealingly commercial. There is also enough interest added throughout, from surprisingly powerful bass lines to actual whistling (!) to bear repeat listens.

Sounds Like: The Cardigans in France.
Listen To: Skip nothing. Devour it all.

A&R: The Music Submissions

Here at SFCritic we have been unusually fortunate to receive some truly excellent music submissions. For most people it is not everyday that your inbox fills up with not one, but dozens of moving/fun/jaw-dropping/truly confusing albums, singles, and videos, but for us it is. And it's awesome. We know that for any musician it is both necessary and difficult to put yourself out there, to be critiqued, and it is not a job we take lightly. We would like to give as many artists the opportunity to have their work reviewed as possible, but since this is basically a one-person job, we've decided to set a few ground rules to make it easy for you to get heard, and for us to keep our limited sanity.

So it is with great excitement that we present the SFCritic Music Submission Guidelines:

• Please submit only full albums or EPs. We prefer zip files or streaming links. The better to hear you with, my dear.
• Include a large, high-quality image of your album art. At least 500 x 500 pixels please.
  
• Make sure to include a short biography of yourself/your band. Things to include: 1) Members' names and instruments, 2) geographical location, and 3) any description you can provide about your "sound."
  
• If you would like us to include download links in the article please say so and make sure to include them in your message.
  
• Just because we WANT to post about everything we receive does not mean that we WILL. Please don't cry if we skip yours.
  

A&R: The Music Submissions

Man/Miracle - The Shape of Things

There is something terribly invigorating about finding out there is an awesome band in your backyard. Man/Miracle, based in Oakland, CA, will give any Bay Area resident (present company included) that lovin' feeling. Their debut album, The Shape of Things, is a high-energy romp through familiar sounds. Remember the irreverent lyrics and global influences that blew you away the first time you listened to The Talking Heads? How about the forceful guitar, high hats, and thick-as-pudding bass that made all the guys jump into one another at your first basement punk show? Ever listen to The Cure so much, you convinced yourself only their New Wave angst could express how you truly felt inside? Those elements are all present and accounted for on the album. It has its indie rock moments that recall Vampire Weekend, but with a heavy dose of punk noise and a harder edge. What it lacks in complexity in parts, it more than makes up for in fun and weird wonderfulness.

Man/Miracle opens for Rogue Wave at Bottom of the Hill February 24, 2010 as part of the Noise Pop festival. (21+, 8pm.)

Sounds Like: The now tragically defunct Plastic Constellations out of MPLS, MN
Listen To: Hot Sprawl, Above the Salon


The Novel Ideas - The Sky is a Field!

The Novel Ideas are a band out of Newton, Mass. The Sky is a Field! is their first full-length, and is self-released (download or stream from their website). Its main focus is on vocals, a pleasant harmony of earnest, if slightly male crooning with delicate female support. They label themselves as a rock-folk outfit, which is, perhaps apt if not entirely helpful given the current slew of new releases claiming such a title. The horns, slide guitars, and violins are used sparingly, providing either drama or lightness at times which is lacking for most of the album. The lyrics clearly center around the feelings that only love (or lack thereof) can conjure, and often make the album feel more than a little emo. On "Julian Carax" the pleading vocals call to mind the misery of Dashboard Confessional. The following track "A Breath of Fresh Air," is a more energetic, hopeful track with a rhythm you might even want to dance to. The album is good enough, and certainly without a clear misstep, but for the most part the problem with The Novel Ideas is that they just aren't that novel.

Sounds Like: Dashboard meets Headlights
Listen To: Adrian Blues, A Breath of Fresh Air