Oracular Spectacular

Self-assured, ambitious, and often ingenious, MGMT’s full-length debut is a densely layered, proudly psychedelic delight. The songs are loaded with alluring hooks and lyrical snippets that grab your attention, making them strong enough to stand up to the bold (mostly synthesized) aural choices made by producer Dave Fridmann (of Flaming Lips fame). On “Time to Pretend”, featured in the movie 21, the bright, grand sounds obscure the bleak, desperate lyrics, as if desperation is worth celebration. (And who’s to say it’s not?) The David Bowie influence is pronounced in spots, from the woozy, vaguely orchestral art-rock of “The Youth” to the ‘70s-style “plastic soul” of “Electric Feel” to the ‘80s-style dance electronics of “Kids”. On the spooky, wobbling, remarkable “The Handshake”, they intone, “We got the handshake under our tongue”, like some sort of cult leaders. Fridmann’s skillful touch, spot-on sequencing, and a distinctive MGMT sparkle help tie together these stylistic adventures. From Satanic-era Stones and T.Rex through Modest Mouse and the Lips, MGMT’s colorful debut is a dazzling trip through 40 years of psychedelic pop — with a deadpan delivery that can only be described as 21st century.