CD name: ‘Congratulations’
Artist: MGMT
Genre: Alternative/Electronic/Experimental rock
Sounds like: MGMT went crazy
Soundwaves: 3.5/5

MGMT takes a big step with its latest album, ‘Congratulations.’ Whether it is a step forward, backward or in the right direction remains open for debate. ‘Congratulations’ will probably frustrate casual listeners that expect another album full of catchy singles. This new album ditches pop sensibility and opts for a completely different style, one characterized by psychedelic experimentation, unconventional song structure and disorienting mood swings. Yet, it is an unapologetically complex effort that gets better after each listen — and that’s the point.

MGMT has undergone a radical transformation in its approach to making music. The band’s 2007 debut, ‘Oracular Spectacular,’ was a collection of cool, catchy songs with hip appeal that made MGMT an overnight sensation. Clearly, that wasn’t OK. So the group switched producers and decided to go for a new sound, intentionally ditching the singles and instead crafting a fully realized concept album. The cover art of ‘Congratulations’ depicts a cartoon character on a surfboard being devoured by a sea monster — a metaphor for the band being swallowed up by waves of success. This is the overriding theme of the album, and the nine tracks inside explore just how MGMT feels about fame and fortune.

‘It’s Working’ opens the album with a bang, a surf-rock song that recalls the days of the Beach Boys with its echoing vocals and bumping bass. It changes tempo frequently and establishes the experimental tone that continues throughout the album. ‘Song for Dan Treacy’ immediately follows, grounded by a clean lead guitar riff and odd-sounding synthesizers that seem straight out of the 1960s.

The feel-good vibe and falsetto vocals of ‘Someone’s Missing’ will remind fans of the old MGMT days, but the song is short, transitioning quickly into the divisive ‘Flash Delirium.’ The track was released a few months ago online, and fans lashed out against MGMT for its radical new style. The random, seemingly nonsensical lyrics complement a rhythm that has no structure, or even a chorus, for that matter. It’s understandable why fans would be upset at the change. Still, the track does well to capture the spirit of ‘Congratulations’ as a whole — a blatant attack against predictability and conformity.

‘I Found a Whistle’ slows down, while being grounded by synthesizers, tambourines and a warm acoustic guitar. It never really picks up and doesn’t work very well as an individual song. However, it is a piece of the larger puzzle — this is an album, not a collection of songs. ‘Siberian Breaks’ is a wonder to behold, a 12-minute epic that recalls the experimental jams of Pink Floyd. A song with what seems like a million layers, this is the sonic apex of the album in terms of unrestrained experimentation and outright peculiarity.

The second half of the album falters a bit, though. ‘Brian Eno’ is a lighthearted, funny ode to the legendary producer of the same name — a man whose efforts helped to bring experimental rock into the mainstream in the 1980s. The song is fun and conceptually relevant, but it doesn’t really do much to push the envelope. ‘Lady Dada’s Nightmare’ is a head-scratching instrumental that sounds unnecessary. Luckily, ‘Congratulations’ ends the album on a high note. The irony of this ode to success shines through clearly: It’s about how fame and adoration make MGMT uncomfortable. Congratulation is the last thing the band members need right now.

Ultimately, ‘Congratulations’ is a wild album that hits on so many different sounds, noises and styles. Calling it anything other than bizarre would be an understatement. But MGMT has made a point here. The album is the reflection of a band unsatisfied with its image and place within music. Moreover, it is a large middle finger to everyone that was too quick to shower the band with praise in the first place. MGMT believes artistic success can be defined on its terms, and today, it’s refreshing to hear a band with such convictions.

ajhaeder@syr.edu

Published on April 12, 2010 at 12:00 pm