MGMT Gurus
Because I’m sick as a dog, I’ve been laying in a crumpled pile for the past three days, fuming at the Clintons like a madman, reading, drinking water, and eating pie. This is not as blissful as it sounds, I assure you. One of the highlights of my fever (not my fever for the flavor, which is ongoing and, I fear, fatal) is having the time to absorb and enjoy MGMT’s amazing interactive video for “Electric Feel.”
And that isn’t MGMT’s only fantastic music video. Yes, I’m pretty sure they are surfboarding through subatomic particles in this one. Also, the lead vocalist is riding on the back of a housecat. I like the way these guys operate.
I’ll admit, my warm enthusiasm for MGMT derives not only from the excellence of their music. Oracular Spectacular is uneven, with a few spectacular songs and a few misfires as well. I always root for diminutive people, particularly when they are charismatic rockers. Of course, in MGMT’s case it is entirely possible that compactness is a side effect of drug use and the rocker lifestyle celebrated in “Time to Pretend.” Who can say?
Yeah, that album’s pretty boss.
— Peter Suderman · Jan 27, 06:09 PM · #
Why do young intellectuals of the internet like their music so ironicly twee?
— cw · Jan 27, 09:10 PM · #
Everything has been a disappointment after this song… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7JthgTMHDU
— Daniel · Jan 28, 04:25 AM · #
Never mind, it’s on the album after all.
— Daniel · Jan 28, 04:27 AM · #
I think it’s mainly generational, but I’ll add that I also like the Doobie Brothers, so it’s not entirely ironic, at least not in my case.
I do think the transition makes sense. I’m in my late twenties, and I’m basically at peace with the world, so silly, frivolous music has an obvious appeal — it tracks growth in disposable income, general burn-out from the earnestness and fear-mongering that defines the political scene. But who knows?
— Reihan · Jan 28, 06:39 AM · #
You’ve been lying, not laying. (Unless “laying” is meant to suggest that the extreme exhaustion of your condition reduces you to a quasi-inanimate state.)
— Derannimer · Jan 28, 06:32 PM · #
Are you saying the Doobie brothers were twee (this is not a word you can use too much, just this last time) but not ironical? If so, I agree. What do you see happening for you musically in your thirties?
— cw · Jan 29, 05:51 AM · #