I was in high school when Oracular Spectacular dropped. I feel like it matched my youthful optimism about life, girls, political change, psychedelic induced enlightenment, etc. Now, being in my 30s with a wife and kids, I reflect back on that youthful optimism slowly being replaced with disillusionment (or wisdom? Idk). And how that disillusionment is slowly being replaced with acceptance of what makes life actually worth living; relationships, stability, family, gratitude, love. To me, this album is a deeply emotional expression of the acceptance of disillusionment that forces itself upon you via parenthood and/or adulthood. I feel like I've matured alongside MGMT. And I'm sure many other fans feel the same way. I really appreciate them for creating music throughout the years. Thank you, MGMT.
Thank you for the review! I have listened to this album now a good amount of times and with every listen I feel like I find something new. It has grown so much on me, I think it may be my favorite so far this year. Maybe it's also a generational connection but lyrics, production and tunes all just came together. My favorites are Nothing to Declare, Nothing Changes and Loss of Life. It ranges from '70s psych folk to The Cure to Bowie to Beach Boys and Beatles but with a very distinct sound and I am very happy about that. You are absolutely right about the cerebral aspect of this and I would add that is quite emotional in a deep sort of way.
Hey Axel! Thanks for your thoughts! The Nothing songs are great, I really love Nothing to Declare. It's a great release for these guys and I imagine the album will end up on a lot of year end lists.
Great review! Glad to see another fellow Nothing to Declare lover, I’ve seen like 3-4 reviews where they instantly express it being their least favorite. To each their own, though. This record is beautiful.
Thanks for the review, interesting! Because of the production the album reminds me alot of Flaming Lips (especially my fav FL release, American Head). All in all, love this album, i think its very mature, but at the same time has great melodies and hooks. To me the lyrics seem to be alot about uncertainty and how you deal with that. Which is fine by me; I wish more people were uncertain these days, rather than the opposite extreme, which can lead to bigotry. Anyways going off topic here! It's a strong 8/10 for me, possibly a 9 with repeated listens, i really like it. Stuart
Hey, Stuart! You're spot on with the Lips reference, I hadn't even considered that before but it's there for sure. One of my favorite bands! Soft Bulletin is probably my favorite of theirs. Glad you're digging the MGMT!
Great review I really enjoy the approach you give to it! I liked the album, but after such cool album covers like Little Dark Age and Congratulations I was kind of dissapointed with Loss of Life's album cover.
I had few attemps but unfortunatelly I don't like it :/ I expected it to be more psychodelic and experimental, as previous records. For me it's kinda boring... Of coure there are some nice tunes like Nothing to Declare but nothing that stands out in particular. I hope their next record will be more in their previous style, well we will see in about 5 years or something (considering how much time they usually make us wait for the next releases lol)
Hey Rocker! It's definitely a departure from the early stuff. I doubt that they will go backwards from here though with their next release. And you're right, don't hold your breath for a new album anytime soon, they're certainly not what you would call prolific! Thanks for watching and the comments!
![Spiritualized® - Live @ Radio City Music Hall, NYC - 30th July 2010 [FULL SET]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/wk14D6Wkrvs/mqdefault.jpg)
I was in high school when Oracular Spectacular dropped. I feel like it matched my youthful optimism about life, girls, political change, psychedelic induced enlightenment, etc. Now, being in my 30s with a wife and kids, I reflect back on that youthful optimism slowly being replaced with disillusionment (or wisdom? Idk). And how that disillusionment is slowly being replaced with acceptance of what makes life actually worth living; relationships, stability, family, gratitude, love. To me, this album is a deeply emotional expression of the acceptance of disillusionment that forces itself upon you via parenthood and/or adulthood.
I feel like I've matured alongside MGMT. And I'm sure many other fans feel the same way. I really appreciate them for creating music throughout the years. Thank you, MGMT.
Beautifully said! Thank you for watching and for the thoughtful post!
Thank you for the review! I have listened to this album now a good amount of times and with every listen I feel like I find something new. It has grown so much on me, I think it may be my favorite so far this year. Maybe it's also a generational connection but lyrics, production and tunes all just came together. My favorites are Nothing to Declare, Nothing Changes and Loss of Life. It ranges from '70s psych folk to The Cure to Bowie to Beach Boys and Beatles but with a very distinct sound and I am very happy about that. You are absolutely right about the cerebral aspect of this and I would add that is quite emotional in a deep sort of way.
Hey Axel! Thanks for your thoughts! The Nothing songs are great, I really love Nothing to Declare. It's a great release for these guys and I imagine the album will end up on a lot of year end lists.
Great review! I’ve came close to pushing the button on this… really like MGMT. cheers, Jack
Hey, Jack! Thanks for watching again! it's a great album from them, not perfect but I really dig it.
Great review! Glad to see another fellow Nothing to Declare lover, I’ve seen like 3-4 reviews where they instantly express it being their least favorite. To each their own, though. This record is beautiful.
Thanks Nando! Nothing to Declare is indeed an awesome tune and one of the strongest on the record.
It’s about fatherhood. Leaving your old life behind
Thanks for the review, interesting! Because of the production the album reminds me alot of Flaming Lips (especially my fav FL release, American Head). All in all, love this album, i think its very mature, but at the same time has great melodies and hooks. To me the lyrics seem to be alot about uncertainty and how you deal with that. Which is fine by me; I wish more people were uncertain these days, rather than the opposite extreme, which can lead to bigotry.
Anyways going off topic here! It's a strong 8/10 for me, possibly a 9 with repeated listens, i really like it. Stuart
Hey, Stuart! You're spot on with the Lips reference, I hadn't even considered that before but it's there for sure. One of my favorite bands! Soft Bulletin is probably my favorite of theirs. Glad you're digging the MGMT!
I love this album
The album cover is a version of the Tarot card of death.
Thank you! You're absolutely correct! This adds a some more depth of meaning to the cover for sure.
Good review, I want more silliness from MGMT…but if they aren’t feeling it
Thanks, Gomer!
Great review I really enjoy the approach you give to it! I liked the album, but after such cool album covers like Little Dark Age and Congratulations I was kind of dissapointed with Loss of Life's album cover.
Thanks, Jube!! Yeah, I would agree, the cover isn't the best they could have done.
I had few attemps but unfortunatelly I don't like it :/ I expected it to be more psychodelic and experimental, as previous records. For me it's kinda boring... Of coure there are some nice tunes like Nothing to Declare but nothing that stands out in particular. I hope their next record will be more in their previous style, well we will see in about 5 years or something (considering how much time they usually make us wait for the next releases lol)
Hey Rocker! It's definitely a departure from the early stuff. I doubt that they will go backwards from here though with their next release. And you're right, don't hold your breath for a new album anytime soon, they're certainly not what you would call prolific! Thanks for watching and the comments!
"Nothing Changes" is The Jam, but your review is better than the album 😸 But, I'll definitely give it a few more listens.
Thanks, Tiny! Definitely give the album a few more spins. It does settle in after a bit. Let me know if you're opinion changes. Cheers!