A group sometimes gains a following because of a certain sound, and then loses those followers because they decide to transform their sound and evolve their techniques. I remember hearing Oracular Spectacular and thinking to myself: If these guys could package a full album’s worth of songs that sound like “KIds,” “Time to Pretend,” “Electric Feel,” and, if I’m in the right mood, “The Youth,” then they might have something special. I am certain many other people thought the same thing. Congratulations shifts the beat laden pop songs of Oracular Spectacular and transforms them into psychedelic excursions. These songs are different than what you would expect; MGMT has changed. Some people do not like change and therefore are quick to dismiss a drastic shift like this. However, if you take a closer look and give this album a chance, listen to it a couple more times, you will find it to be rewarding and beautifully eccentric.
From the start of the album, the change in style is apparent. “It’s Working,” and “Song For Dan Treacy” shower you with a late 60′s early 70′s psychedelic monsoon, the latter being described by my friend Evan Taylor as sounding reminiscent of the song “Monster Mash.” These comparisons are not meant to deter from the sincerity of the album, although I did laugh when he said this because I can hear the connection. There is a certain tongue-in-cheek aspect that permeates throughout the album. These songs also carry a certain nostalgia with them that is also reminiscent of bands like Of Montreal and Olivia Tremor Control. Congratulations almost sounds as if it crawled out of a dark corner in the Elephant 6 house, pouncing on the fading scene with animalistic tenacity. “Flash Delirium,” the erratic divulgence of shifting song structures mixed with a varied assortment of musical instruments, could be viewed as the single, if one was so inclined. The vocal style has also changed for the most part, but every so often the familiar harmonizing of Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden break through and remind the listener that this is in fact an MGMT album.
Long songs can be troublesome for inexperienced bands that do not fully know how to hold a listeners attention, especially since we, the youth of today, have incredibly short attention spans. “Siberian Breaks,” the long song on the album, clocking in at twelve minutes and ten seconds, pulls this task off with ease. There are many different metamorphoses that this song goes through. The band could have split this long song into a couple shorter songs, but somehow I’m glad that they kept it all as one. The beginning portion plays like an English folk song with hints of psychedelia weaved into the texture. Then, it turns from it’s structured pop stylings to an ambient M83-esque send off. I found this part to be the most interesting considering how much different it is from the rest of the album, not including the instrumental, “Lady Dada’s Nightmare.”
One of my favorite songs on the album, “Brian Eno,” is in fact a proclamation of the greatness of the man himself. The high energy that drives the song is infectious and the statement, “I’m always one step behind him, Brian Eno, Brian Eno,” is true no matter who you are. The man is a genius. As mentioned before, “Lady Dada’s Nightmare,” the instrumental track on the album, seems to be an offering to Mr. Eno. A certain testament to his influence and powers of musical manipulation. The title track, which is also the last track, is a beacon for 70′s era classic rock. The song starts with a descending chord progression played on an acoustic guitar followed by flourishes of keyboard arpeggiations; Congratulations ends with a thoughtful, endearing song that proves the strength of the album up until the last seconds.
If you are looking for another album filled with songs that sound like “KIds” or “Time to Pretend,” then this one isn’t for you. If you are unable to deal with the fact that bands change and evolve around their own schedules and not yours, then this album isn’t for you. If you are open to change and in the mood for some good old fashioned psychedelic pop, then give Congratulations a listen. You might just find yourself enjoying the newly transformed MGMT.
