Reviews (page 6 of 15)
Great record, peak pitchfork indie hipster era.
Enjoyed it a lot, Kids, Time to Pretend, Electric Feel, just all round great tunes. Didn't know them all and the vibe changes a bit but still enjoyed
Pretty fun bops in the background.
Good album and good group. They are very fun and unique.
Ooo girl!!! Shock me like an electric eal!!!
Very distinct and signature sound
Some fun bangers on here.
bangers on this one
This is great, all interesting and the singles are absolutely gold.
One great song; several OK ones.
é um álbum bem legal. eu já conhecia a capa de vista, ja tinha ouvido alguns trechos de musicas aqui e ali, mas nunca tinha parado pra ouvir de cabo a rabo (que é o jeito que eu mais gosto). ele tem definitivamente pontos altos, como por exemplo esse início (que ja é icônico por si só), mas algumas coisas nao soaram tao interessantes pra mim, como "the youth". eu entendo que pra época ele definitivamente deve ter sido um gamechanger, né? a sonoridade deve ter influenciado muita coisa que veio posterior a ele, mas acho que como eu to ouvindo muitos anos depois eu acho que tira e perde um pouco desse elemento surpresa. ele tem umas faixas muito muito boas e que soam muito bem e refrescantes, e acho que ele tem mais coisas legais e que soam muito bem do que coisas que o amenizam. gostei bastante das seguintes: - time to pretend; - electric feel - kids - pieces of what - of moons, birds & monsters fora isso, eu gosto muito de alguns elementos separados das músicas, como "4th dimension transition" que tem uma guitarra meio faroeste que me conquista bastante, mas acho que pra mim é um 4,1 (e depois que eu escrevi isso eu percebi que coloquei quase todas as musicas em playlist... aahhh, a incoerência e a falta de atenção...)
I wrote most of a really good review of this album but then didn't finish it and left it open on the webpage intending to come back to it but the page kind of updated and my review got deleted which I'm pretty gutted about cos it was really cute but it's gone now so just leaving this bitter message and a four star review
high 4
This was such a blast from the past - I loved this album when it came out, and it still held up listening to it again today. So reminiscent of a very specific time and scene that I’ve been deeply nostalgic for lately.
Sounds like high school.
I started understanding why people like this when the album was almost over and now I feel bad for not liking it for the first 25 minutes. It sounds like the kind of music I'd enjoy when I was 14 and into the most Tumblr Gay™ music imaginable while inexplicably being really homophobic, but I'm now non-binary and not really Tumblr Gay™ anymore, just regular gay. That's to say, this is music for closeted 14-year-olds. If you're homophobic and reading this, I know you're probably hiding the fact that you really want to kiss a dude to an MGMT song, and that's okay. I very un-secretly want to as well.
A 2009 time capsule for better or worse. The three hits remain as big as hits as ever and the rest remains the rest. But those are some great hits.
Better than I thought it would be at the start.
Quite foundational to my early music listening experience
Previously only familiar with a couple of songs that were played a lot on radio. I really liked this, not necessarily what I was expecting. I think I thought it would all be a bit samey but actually a lot of variety here. Nicely produced with hints of that 90s Americana song (I do know that the guy out of Mercury Rev produced it and it shows). But a lot of interesting sounds and sonically just a great listen. I think it would get better on repeated listens too. This is me finally catching up with 'modern music' then realising it's 18 years old 😐
MGMT’s debut is just an all around solid album. It is stacked with hits, but also delves into a great blend of synth pop and psychedelic music. The second half is noticeably weirder, but I appreciate the pacing of the record. I really don’t think there’s a bad song here.
Really good album this, and there is a lot more to it than the memorable singles. The quirky electronic indie has aged surprisingly well, only the slightly tongue-in-cheek vocal delivery leaves me a bit cold. Otherwise this is solid, poppy stuff with an alternative edge from start to finish - In fact, listening again for the first time since it came out (I wasn't a huge fan to be honest) Oracular Spectacular is much more interesting and enjoyable than I actually recall it being.
Did not like the first half, but the last few tracks sort of grew on me (specifically, Of Moons, Birds & Monsters).
Brilliant
This was such a cool album when it first came out, and I loved how MGMT managed to get recognized by mainstream culture. One of the things that always stood out to me was how psychedelic it sounded, but with synths and keyboards driving the music. They found the perfect balance between being forward thinking while still maintaining that retro, vintage tone and texture in their sound. Even now, some of these songs are still enjoyable, despite all the radio play they’ve gotten over the years.
I love all the big songs in this album. I can't help it. They're so good. I remember when I bought this CD (I think it was the last NEW CD I ever bought), I fuckin' loved the songs I'd heard, but wasn't crazy about the rest of the album. Upon relistening many years later (and after hearing and loving the shit out of Little Dark Age), I hear this album differently and I like it more than I did. MGMT is a weird-ass band, and it seems like they hone in on a sound they want to achieve and get it. Here they seem to be doing a psychedelic rock thing, along with what I hear as an Aladin Sane-ish Bowie in terms of vocal delivery and guitar. It's a bit too revisionist for me to fully-fully get down with it, but I appreciate how they do what they do. Not a 5, but better than a 3. And the big songs, some of the most Millennial-ass anthems ever, are so damn good. Most Millennial shit I'm like whatever about, but for whatever reason, these ones really fuckin' do it for me.
Bra, klassiker. Kids oslagbar
This album was the epitome of cool when I was a kid, so I still get a kick out of it. It does lose steam a bit in the second half, though.
Time to pretend and kids are absolute classics, the rest is good but not great
Bangers, but weird memories
There are a lot of good hits from this album and I also enjoyed the non-hits more than I thought I would. It's a short album, but I'm delightfully surprised.
This was a fun, nostalgic listen. Just jammy though the singing is a bit meh. Love the smorgasbord of beats and instrumentation. Fave tracks are: “kids” and “time to pretend” but with a few duds in between.
Très bonne découverte ! Trop marrant de replacer Kids dans son contexte, je connaissais ni le titre ni le groupe J'ai beaucoup vibé sur cet album. J'ai trouvé la prof impressionnante ; en plus de la variété des sonorités mises en cohérences de manière très clean, je souligne les très belles basses et les beaux aigus (que ce soit des sons electro très propre ou des chœurs plus ou moins transformés) Une variété de styles dans cet album mais grande cohérence dans l’énergie, à cheval entre un rock alternatif et de l’electro-pop, ce qui allie une intention très authentique presque diy avec quelque chose de très sophistiqué et qui passe tout seul C'est très dansant, très festif, avec quelque chose d’assez deep et nostalgique en même temps. Un truc assez teenage spirit mais encore une fois très soigné (dans le bon sens ! ie pas lisse, juste clean), et assez intemporel je trouve. Vraiment ma vibe, on repart donc sur un 4 !
c'est du lourd. vraiment un mindfuck d'écouter certains sons et de me rendre compte que je connaissais les mélodies, comme ça a été le cas pour Time to pretend et Kids! j'adore le côté électro nonchalant, la voix souvent un peu isolée comme si on avait un merge de deux studios d'enregistrement côte à côte (un instrumental, l'autre vocal)--notamment dans Pieces of what. le mix guitare-basse dans Of Moons, Birds and Monsters m'a bien plu, avec un aspect à chemin entre house dansant et quelque chose de presque disco électro + j'adore quand leur voix part dans les aigus, c'est assez satisfaisant. on est sur un solide 4.4 que j'arrondis en dessous mais c'est vraiment pas passé loin du 5 (après je nuance parce que c'est aussi peut-être en partie dû à la bouffée d'air frais après tous ces albums de rock)!
I was not prepared for this nostalgia downpour. Electric feel isn't even the best song on this album. Time to pretend, weekend wars, and Kids are so great
i don't know if i've ever listened to this full album before but it really is just banger after banger after banger
A perfect snapshot of late 2000’s indie. For those that came of age around the time these songs hit, this music was utterly inescapable. The songs are vibrant and imaginative, and evoke both skepticism about the world beyond youth, while finding optimism in living in the moment. I enjoy just about everything on offer outside the hits, but there’s an undeniable plateau in quality throughout the album’s second half that never really finds a crescendo worthy of the album’s high points. MGMT’s sophomore album has more consistency and creativity on offer that I personally prefer, but as a debut, Oracular Spectacular is quite the achievement. If you enjoy this, I highly recommend checking out the band’s first EP. There are a couple of overlooked gems on offer in Indie Rokkers and Love Always Remains. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
First half slaps, second half fizzles out
:)
great great great
Góðir straumar og góð lög
Unaður í eyrun. Toppuðu sig þarna.
One of those albums that I don't think I have ever listened to all the way through but have 4 songs downloaded onto a playlist. So was happy to see it come up on here. Was very very solid of an album, MGMT has such a unique style to them that is so satisfying to listen to. The songs i didn't know were very above average but I don't think they were quite spectacular enough to get this to a 5. High 4 it is
One of my favourite albums of all time: - Absolutely in love with The Youth - especially after watching Kings of Summer: It has such a nostalgic and feel-good vibe about the song, and makes me feel like I'm ascending - Kids, Electric Feel and Time To Pretend are absolute classics, which depict the summer atmosphere so perfectly, I cannot fault these songs and listen to them all the time!! - Weekend Wars is such a unique and distinct song, which a unique melody and interesting lyrics which I absolutely adore!! - Album Rating = 9/10
Wow 2007? Maybe it's because I've only heard snippets of songs but this album sounds very fresh still. Definitely understand it's place on the list!
Going into this, I already knew and really liked the singles, Time to Pretend, Electric Feel and Kids. First time hearing the rest of the album, and it sounds good too!
An album I was previously familiar with and had enjoyed. If you're keen on the dreamy indie pop of the standout singles 'Kids' and 'Time to Pretend' you'll enjoy this album. Diverse enough to maintain interest and yet a coherent album. Ahead of its time. Second half of the album wasn't as attention grabbing unfortunately.
The deeper cuts really surprised me here. Very cool
This is a fun listen. There are some unique tunes that remind me of Beck. I would love to hear their later releases to see if they have kept up their game. Overall this is a solid album.
Better than then cover makes it look
No denying the quality and staying power of the big singles. The rest of the album plays nicely, and although not as memorable, certainly not a disappointing track amongst them. Solid 4.
Took me back to being 16, driving down the PCH to Newport Beach with my besties under the soft morning sun. This album made us face our angst and freedom when we just figuring out how it felt. When an album can take you back like that and STILL hold up as a good listen — pretty banging.
I think it’s funny at times when an artist makes an album that they look back not too fondly on. Often at times that work ends up being some of their most popular stuff, and this one is no exception. It’s always a strange feeling having a strong connection to a particular work and then hear the people who made it not be as passionate about you. This one has what I can consider classics at this point with Time to pretend, Electric Feel, and Kids. These songs in particular have such a particular aura to them that it helps me open that time capsule to being a young teenager again. These songs are what being young and just enjoying what life had to offer sounds like lol. Credit go MGMT for also making Little Dark Age as that was a other album they put out that I think is better than this one, but has a similar impact where when some of those track come on I recall the impact of those first initial listens.
Arrancamos la semana con el disco debut de MGMT, banda que relaciono con mis años universitarios y sus fiestas, por lo que me es imposible separarlo de una época bonita y de muchos cambios en mi vida. Gran álbum debut y linda manera de comenzar la semana. Hasta mañana, genchi.
465/1001 🌕🌕🌕🌗🌑
Great album brought me back
Loved this - not familiar with MGMT previously. Reminded me of Arcade Fire …
so good and another super nostalgic one. cant believe day 2 also happened to be an album that ive already heard but either way it was like chill. idk i was kinda distracted with work when i listened to it but like theres some bangers you really cant just ignore. also only 40 min long so went by super quick. the sound is just so fun idk and OK even thought its from like 2007 i think its brings me back to 2020 covid vibe bc thats when i listened to this a lot. also iconic album cover i love it
Good listen
Neunzehntes Album, das ich schon kannte. Um einiges besser, als ich es in Erinnerung hatte. Die drei Singles sind super. Der Rest auch ganz gut.
I forgot how good this album was. Enjoyed the tracks, but forgot how different the lead vocalist’s voice was. Can be a bit distracting. Still a fun, very good album -especially the front half of the project
Blije elektronische indiemuziek, het hitje ken ik van de Top2000. Een vermakelijk geheel, het lijkt zichzelf niet al te serieus te nemen, helemaal prima.
Con solo escuchar las primeras notas de "Time to Pretend" se me erizan los pelos del brazo. Una vez mas, y ya voy perdiendo la cuenta, gana la nostalgia. Es la banda sonora de la juventud universitaria. Ma gad, its being a while
semplicemente gasa gran bell’album
gli mgmt non hanno bisogno di presentazioni, quest'album contiene le loro tre tracce più famose, che sono anche le mie preferite. Non so a chi interessa ma electric feel è in 6/4.
i love it, good memories and some bangers, genre : late summer nights with good breeze
Þetta er fín plata en ekkert brjálæðislega eftirminnileg. Nema Time to pretend og Kids, sem eru svo geggjuð lög að þau lyfta henni upp í fjarka. Segjum 3,6.
Highs are very high and a few of them. nostalgic feeling with these
Mm, yeah, nice. Some definite hits here. I prefer the darker aura of Little Dark Age. I read somewhere once that all of MGMT's music sounds pretty much the same, but always with a step to the side that keeps it fresh. I would generally agree with that.
This was full of songs I knew before. It was a really solid album. I didn't really dig the other songs tho, it was kinda hit or miss
Fun and inventive
Listened a lot
I didnt think much of them before, but the record surprised me. The two guys have some real talent.
Three absolutely generational songs (Kids, Electric Feel, and Time to Pretend) but the rest of the album is just average. 3.5 stars.
An amazing opening 5 track run, I think weekend wars is my favourite off this album
Most pleasing. The three biggies are of course present and very correct, but the rest is a dashed good listen as well. I liked
OK I'm listening......4.5/5 Fantastic and fun to listen to!
Pretty good alt rock. Different voice that somehow straddles the line between interesting and annoying. The hits are good and the filler songs are alright.
this was a 2010s instant CLASSIC and for good reason. even the non-singles that i didn't know were pretty good. very specific time and place but top tier for its genre
Elektronischer Pop, eingängige Melodien. Die Singles "Time to pretend" und "Kids" sind mir noch im Ohr. Das Video zu Kids ist eher verstörend. Aber die Musik ist spannend. 4/5
Great album with some classic hits
Fantastic, groundbreaking, innovative, nostalgic. My favorites: "Kids," of course, "Electric Feel," "The Youth," "Time to Pretend," "Weekend Wars," "Of Moons, Birds & Monsters," and "Future Reflections." The only reasons I didn't give this a 5 are because a handful of the tracks are less memorable, in my opinion, and this album feels a bit short - could have used a song more or two. However, it's a fantastic project and I love MGMT.
Fave Tunes = Time to Pretend & Electric Feel
MGMT might as well have provided some of the essential tracks of my childhood: Kids, Time to Pretend, and Electric Feel. Now that I am older, I can appreciate the sardonic humor laced with psychedelia reinvented for the 21st century. The other tracks are good but the trifecta of tracks above make everything else pale in comparison. Future Reflections, the closing track of the album, was a welcome surprise. Overall, there's a playful sense of mutiny present in this album, toying with musical conventions and tropes just for the sake of doing something new. This is a landmark in the indie music landscape, for good reason.
I guess i call this a classic now
Didn’t realize how much this was my personal soundtrack.
Not all of it hits thug highs of the singles but it's still a really fun album.
The dirty synths on this album are incredible. It's so warm and fun. So often tracks with synth as the main part sound a bit stale. I remember this album coming out and getting it, it had a big impact on the music everyone was playing at the time. It starts really strong and only really loses momentum in the second half when there are a couple of guitar strummy tracks that are good, but not really on the same level. The vocals are still strong they're just missing the synth hooks of the others.
Just can't bring myself to give it a 5, but very enjoyable nonetheless. Knew more songs than I thought I would, and for me, Electric Feel is the standout (but I knew that already).
This album is like an alternative reality where you decided to drink Quentin's tea from that Fleet Foxes hike situation you found yourself in the other day. You were nervous about your surroundings, but after a brew of tea made with questionable ingredients (i.e. not bergamot), all of a sudden you have a feeling of inner warmth, happiness, and unexplained peace. The colours are more colourful, the sounds of the forest are playing out like a natural orchestra, and Quentin's bongo drum session is speaking straight to your soul. You're not sure what the next phase brings. You may never come down from this feeling, or you may wake up in a bush clearing with no phone or shoes. But that's a question to worry about later.
Loved it! took me back
Gewoon allemaal goede shit. Grote bangers zoals time to pretend, kids, electric feel maar de rest mag er ook zeker zijn.
Hits are still bangers, but a bit of filler.
Ushered me into listening to more electronic psychedelic sounds.
banger
Better than I expected
I want to give this a 5, but I just can't
omg i've been listening to some of these songs for so long, it was nice to hear the rest of them
A classic debut that was *the* soundtrack of Summer 2007 (south of the equator, anyway) and most of 08. The first half is full of absolute bangers that were obvious hits prior to their single releases, the deeper cuts interesting and unique and varied.
They’ve got the vision, now let’s have some fun
This album comes out swinging hard. Been years since I’ve listened to it and wow, it’s definitely one of my favorites.
8/10 - this would be a complete album with only time to pretend, kids and electric feel
8/10
Nope, pop-py summery vibes w dance-inspired beats are not my usual listening fare, but I gotta admit that these guys have something special
#697. This album fucks way harder than you would expect it to. 4/5: grand
Some bops on here. Really love the song 'kids'.
Increíble disco, de lo mejor del género con tan solo Tame Impala por encima.
Znam, 4
Büro, Heidenheim, Deutschland. Läuft fein durch.
Forgot how good Of Monsters Birds and whatever is good
Imo bardzo porządne disco, fajny mix i wokale, buja przyjemnie
5/5 for the nostalgia but a star off for actually listening and realizing it is really just the first 5 tracks that are S tier
For an album that seemed like it was everywhere back in middle school, this doesn’t feel as dated. I’ve never listened to the album asides from the two singles and the album is solid throughout. Favorite tracks: Kids, 4th Dimensional Transition
Electric Feel is one of my favorite songs of all time.
I didn't mind this.
Lot of bangers on this album.
the hits on this album are so so so nostalgic. i don’t know if ive ever listened to the album in full and i liked the rest more than expected - 4.5
Awesome alt pop. Basically set the tone for the genre for the next 5 or so years. 4.5
Beautiful, nostalgic and such a joy to hear but only the three tracks are any good really. So good I can happily give 4 stars though
Awesome album, some certified bangers. 7.4/10
wonderful record. nice to relisten to !
A classic and super influential. Not their best work, but still awesome.
Гуд
Fun, short, diverse.
What a throwback. Listening to all of these tracks makes me think of late 2000s and 10s. Great album to come back to.
Great album
4-/5
Grew up listening to the hits off this one, but never heard the full thing! Very enjoyable, unique and fun but i wished more of the tracks pushed a little more. Good album though
A few really solid tracks here. One or two duds (“Weekend Wars” and 4th Dimensional Transition”), but they are the exception. The sound and vibe is more original than I thought. Not an all time classic, but I would listen again.
Enjoyed it it’s very good pop music
Пам'ятаю як я вперше почув "Electric Feel" і дуже хотів послухати цілий альбом, щоб там знайти переважно взагалі іншу музику. Я тоді мав певний скепсис до музики, яка орієнтувалась на щось в минулому і ця психодилічність мені не відразу сподобалась. З наступним альбом їх я повернувся до цього і тоді якось його викупив і зрозумів, що насправді гурт хоче грати. Зараз залюбки послухав. Generational хіти є, deep cuts є. Улюблена Youth теж на місці. Поставив би 4.5
Альбом, який містить два МЕГА хіти. Я дуже давно не слухав їх і не скажу, що мгмт були колись моїм улюбленим гуртом, але не можу сказати що не отримав задоволення від Oracular Spectacular. Продукт свого часу, який викликає в мене приємну ностальгію.
Couldn't stand this at the time. I've grown up, it's fun. Appreciated more after seeing that pre fame video of them playing on a campus. Less manufactured than I thought. Also appreciate they got a bit weird on later albums.
A nostalgic listen on a summer evening testing out my new speakers and cooking a fish curry.
Fun, vibey
Nice one! Classic of my youth.
We love indie Expressive MY KIND OF MUSIC MAN MY KINDA MUSIC
Ja sorry, maar dit vind ik dus een heel erg lekker album. Toen dit uitkwam was ik nog te jong om echt door te hebben hoe belangrijk dit album was. Maar als ik het nu luister is het ontzettend duidelijk dat dit een invloedrijk album was en is. Een van mijn favoriete artiesten, Jungle, hebben de formule opgepakt en naar mijn mening geperfectioneerd. Maar nu al hoor je wat het plan van MGMT is en hoe ze doen wat ze willen. Niet alles werkt perfect en sommige nummers zijn een beetje mwah. Maar voor mij persoonlijk is Kids tijdloos en een van de betere popnummers ooit. Moet wel zeggen dat de hits wel echt er bovenuit steken. Denk dat op hun latere albums hun sound volwassener is geworden dan je op het debuutalbum ziet. De andere nummers dan de hits springen er minder uit maar zijn veel psychedelischer en ik kan me voorstellen dat dit perfecte muziek is om s nachts in het gras te liggen. Met iets op wat waarschijnlijk niet echt legaal is ofzo. Ik heb zojuist nieuwe weekendplannen gekregen. FAVO: Time To Pretend, Electric Feel, Kids
Great album with a bunch of really good songs and no really bad songs. The vibes throughout are slow but sharp, While swaying to the beat there is a mix of softer notes and hard base with smooth singing. I hadn't heard it before but its definitely something I will listen to in the future.
Damn this was a debut album?!!? This is a top heavy, good ass album. Four of the first five tracks are certified, and "Weekend Wars" is a pretty good song too! The big singles are on the front side too. Man, 2007 was an amazeball year for music. Top tracks: "The Youth," "Kids," "Time to Pretend"
--Time to Pretend...have I heard this too many times? yes. is it still great? yes --Weekend Wars...not as accessible as 'Time...' but still interesting with great production --The Youth...the good production remains but I find this too repetitive and a little boring --Electric Feel...I like this song. I like it a lot. But there's a paint-by-numbers feel to it that makes me embarrassed to admit it --Kids...I have no idea what the lyrics mean but the melody/beat are simple and effective --4th Dimensional Transition...more of a sound collage than a song --Pieces of What...this is a piece of something all right --Of Moons, Birds & Monsters...where's the Oxford comma, guys? smdh. I like the second half instrumental --The Handshake...It's hard for me to decide whether or not I like the song but--again--the sound they produce is great --Future Reflections...mediocre closer. First song on here that wasn't able to interest me at least a little
pretty good
Loved it.
Loved this album when it came out, and it still resonates with me today. Time to Pretend and Kids hit me right in the feels.
FIFA 09
I did not realize that Time to Pretend, Electric Feel and Kids were all on one album. This album is a really impressive moment in time type album. Those were three of the most ever present songs of that time. Overall this was excellent.
Good album, Kids was kinda ruined for me due to being used constantly in adverts
I liked it
Kids, Electric feel and Time to Pretend are really incredible catchy and iconic songs. Easy but catchy and memorable melodies/songs are really an art form in it self. it's a fine line between "boring and lazy" and "iconic and catchy". The rest of the album is really overshadowed by these three singles, which proves the very narrow line a melody/song have to walk to not fall into unmemorable or "just fine". The end of 2000 beginning of 2010s had a couple of these. Then again i can be a bit blinded by bias. The 3 singles are 5 but the rest is 3 so i have to give it a 4
Uplifting happy album that makes me want to dance. This album was a very foundational for me, but it still holds up today.
This is a very fun, and creative, pop record. No more, no less. 3.5/5
MGMT are kind of a fascinating case study. Two collegiate avant synth guys start a pop group as a joke (so the story is often told), and pretty much immediately write a song so good that it becomes the figurehead of a scene (which didn't really exist at the time) as soon as it was given an opportunity. I guess they just had *it*, and by it I mostly mean a preternatural ear for melody. That aforementioned song was Kids, that aforementioned opportunity was Oracular Spectacular, and that aforementioned scene was 2000's indie pop (there exists a recording of Kids being played live in 2003, they really did hit it *that* early). In the hands of a lesser band, this is a perfect formula for a one hit wonder, but MGMT deftly avoided such an embarrassment. I think this is in part due to how they kind of started down their own path after this album, whether the public wanted to follow or not. But probably more importantly, the rest of Oracular Spectacular is also like *really* good. Hell, I don't even think Kids was the only hit on this album. The first half of this album really shows off that ear for melody, we are hit with like five ultra catchy synth pop tracks in a row. Time To Pretend is a strong start, catchy as hell and also setting up the themes here. Oracular Spectacular seems very focused on nostalgia and youth, as can also be seen in songs like Weekend Wars, The Youth, and of course, Kids. Speaking of weekend wars, another great song: a little texturally different than the opener, but just as immediate and engaging. The Youth slows it down and gives something a little psych-y, then we get the hits. Electric Feel almost feels like a disco song, all slinky and neon. Then, we have Kids, which really is as good as people say. It's one of those songs that kind of feels like it's just always existed. It is also very apparent on Kids just how good MGMT is at dialing in a synth tone. Like just the sound of that lead line is damn near iconic. Now that the audience has had some time to learn to trust MGMT and hear some crowd pleasers, the second half of the album switches it up a little. The textures are a little more out there, the song structures are a little less conventional, and the vibe is a touch more psychedelic, but MGMT manages to do this without really alienating anyone. Also, this material doesn't seem like it is trying to scare anyone after the hits, so much as it feels like MGMT feel like they have earned a little room to play around. 4th Dimensional Transition is honestly one of the better songs on the album. The percussion is super propulsive, and the slightly more abstract songwriting really works. Pieces of What feels really earnest, and it is a nice addition. And the last three songs are just as successful as these. I'm honestly surprised I liked this so much. It isn't quite getting the 5, but I'm gonna be coming back.
One of my favourite alternative bands and a banger album. Time to pretend - 10/10 Weekend wars - 9/10 The Youth - 7.5/10 Electric feel - 9.5/10 Kids - 11/10 Pieces of what - 8/10 Of Moons, birds and monsters - 9/10 The handshake - 8/10 Future reflections - 9/10
Damn this one is right up there with Nirvana's In Utero - the hits REALLY hit, the others REALLY don't Still, Time to Pretend, Electric Feel and Kids make this a 4-star effort. They're that good.
Tenderest thoughts go out to my twin-plaited nerdlet self listening to this album at 17, fast-forwarding ironic detachment between Time to Pretend and Kids, then manifesting confidence with Electric Feel— She got the power in her hand/ To shock you like you won't believe
Hallmark of the Class of 2009 college experience. Still gets me moving
millennial!
No change to my feelings on this album it's a really accomplished and extremely fun record that touches indie-rock and psychedelic pop. Those last two tracks fall short of the rest of the record, unfortunately
Good album. First few songs are great! 4/5
Cool music.
ac tual
b - 8 l - 8
3.7
Very nostalgic for a millennial like me. The second half wasn't as good as the first though.
I'm sure some of this is nostalgia but I like this album a lot. The highs are extremely high and the lows aren't that low. A lot of it is kind of middling though and blends into the background
I listened to this album after my boxing class and felt a sense of sadness especially at the song Youth I feel like during the time they were creating this song so much of what the world was known to be had changed so much.. so in a way I felt like that’s what the song and the overall album encapsulates, this feeling of fleeting moments but hoping for the best in the end of course Electric feel is well known to me it’s like the backdrop to so many movie soundtracks I wonder what it was like for them to create these songs and watch it suddenly become a pillar in the sound of 2010’s , that organic growth in being a well know, is it has satisfying as pushing your music through various streams online and watching it become popular through virtuality, I’m sure there’s similarities to what that had to do to accomplish the feat but I sometimes listen to music created during the 2010’s especially the early 2010’s, there was this rawness that I miss hearing, not this feeling that I’m being feed lines that are curated to become popular but it felt personal, and this album feels personal, I’m going to continue to listen to the rest
A more recent banger! Even given it’s now almost 20 years old, still!
VIBES
Maybe it’s the nostalgia talking, but this is such a wonderful album. The production is very reminiscent of 2007 but somehow doesn’t sound dated in 2025. Time to Pretend is my favorite track, it just gives such a youthful, exuberant vibe.
Another record that I don't think I've listened to but know the popular songs off of. Kids and Electric Feel are fantastic. Usually not a huge fan of synth/psychedelic pop, but this is some really good stuff. Of Moons, Birds, and Monsters is a fantastic and beautiful track as well.
So that's who wrote all these catchy songs! Pretty fun album, both angular and smooth.
It's the first time I hear this band. Sound design is definitely appealing. Songs seemed repetitive and hipsterishly pretentious at first but I started digging it closer to the second part of the album. Overall it was a nice listen. Fav tracks: Kids, Of Moons, Birds & Monsters The Handshake
Kind of album you would Shazam at Kohl's and then forget about. Doesn't mean it isn't good.
this came out right as i was starting university and my best friend at the time was obsessed with it. now i'm twice as old lol.
Actually quite interesting, could be 5 star. Unfortunately "Electric Feel" made it's way onto my coffee shop's playlist, and I heard it hundreds of times in a year. I simply can't stand that one
Very good before their time fs
Woooahhhh sweet. Never listened to the whole album. I’m excited. Time to pretend is so fucking good, deserves all the attention it gets. And Kids always lives up to the hype, so fucking good. Fun album with good vibes and killer singles, some of the rest falls flat but I think it’s mainly because the highs are so high. 4/5⭐️
The youth are starting to change Are you starting to change?
Kids and Time to Pretend are classics I've heard many times before, Electric Feel is another good single, Of Moons, Birds & Monsters was the stand out of the album tracks. Creative, immaculately produced, good vibes, I like it.
Bloody good stuff. Solid pop going on here. Great album.
Enjoyable for the most part. The first half was definitely stronger than the second. Kids, Time to Pretend, The Youth and Electric Feel were standouts to me. 4/5
Not the best MGMT album but they are a reliable band and Oracular Spectacular is still full of great songs, such as Electric Feel.
Thoughts before listening: One of my favorite albums from my mid-20s that produced 3 all-time bangers and overall is full of great indie psych-pop tunes. MGMT kinda fell off after this album for me (some people disagree), but I did really like their 2024 album. Review: Few indie rock songs from the 00s have had the staying power that the big 3 from this album have. "Kids", "Electric Feel", and to a lesser extent "Time to Pretend" (my personal favorite) are all timer songs that have remained in the public conscience much longer than a couple college kids putting out whats essentially a psych-pop one hit wonder likely ever imagined. While those are the big songs, I actually like quite a bit of this album with "Weekend Wars" and "Of Moons, Birds, and Monsters" being solid deeper cuts. The album leans harder into the psych side of their sound in the second half of the album and loses some steam, but overall it still remains one of the best albums from the 00s indie rock world. 4-stars
There’s so much unique and fun ons this album
Heerlijk album! Niet alle nummers even goed, maar nog steeds top.
nostalgic, EXTREMELY psychedelic - would be very fun live, definitely got me in contemplation
Some of the greatest electronic hits of all time with forward thinking melody and synths. That said it's lacking some depth outside of the leading singles
epic!
Soundtrack to early college years. While the big songs are fine the back half of the album really has some hidden gems. I'm actually not a huge fan of Kids or Time to Pretend but there's a lot of cool production and songwriting. Holds up, its a 4. 1=Crap that shouldn't be here 2=I didn't like it but get why it's here 3=I thought it was ok or even like it, get why it's here, but won't revisit 4=I like it, will revisit 5=This is some of the best music I've ever heard and will continue listening to it
Superb songs with an exciting sound and some surprisingly poetic lyrics bête and there.
Some bangers here. 8/10
Could feel my 2008 fringe growing back just listening to this.
i remember my daughter having this album back in the day and now i finally listened to it. this album was pretty groovy. psychedelic with kind of a modern twist. maybe my daughter knew something that i didn’t back then. she’s always been the coolest.
Good fun. Time to Pretend is an excellent track.
Good album
Fantastic album, lots of hits and everything else is great.
OK. I really liked this, a lot! I thought it would be something I simply or merely enjoyed just because of its alternative roots and base energy, but it is more clever than that, always changing up and not ever getting stale. I remember liking a few of the songs on this album that got some marginal air play back in the day, but I am very glad now to be reintroduced and able to listen whenever I want. Cool Beans!
Pretty damn good. Falls off a little bit in the end but the first five songs are about as strong of an album start as u can get
Im realizing i may have gotten my Vivid and MGMT ratings confused. But the three pop hits from this album are truly unbeaten. And I see the vision for this being their slightly more modern take on the soft bulletin. All in all, great stuff.
Des pièces foisonnantes, à décortiquer, mais qui s’écoutent fluidement comme du pop rock entraînant
Better than I thought it would be.
I didn't know the songs I've heard of theirs were theirs. It was an enjoyable album, though a lot of them turned into mainstream songs.
It was indeed spectacular!
Love this album!
Incredibly nostalgic for a time that was and also for the time that has never been anywhere else but in our teenage dreams and wishes. I first heard "Time to Pretend" while watching "Skins" - and this whole album could basically be a soundtrack to every coming of age story. Great listen! Once again, I wish I could rate this album 4.5 stars/5.
Throwback. Good electronic nostalgic sounds
3 killer tracks plus average supporting tunes.
Songs: Time to Pretend, Kids
yet another album that gets better on a re-listen
An album I loved when I was younger but aside from the big hits I found I wasn’t as high on it this listen through. Although it must be said how pervasive this sound became in the late 2000s/early 2010s due partially to this album. So good job lads (3.5/5)
Bangers
Rating (1-5): ✩✩✩✩ Will I be listening to this again: Of course, I already had saved a few of the songs :) What do I like about it: Sounds like most Alt/Indie Pop music, wich I enjoy very much ;) What I dislike about it: Actually enjoyed it weeee Higlighted songs: The Youth, Electric Feel, Kids,
And we’re off! Great start
Youthful feeling
June 2025 four
Nostalgic is probably making this a bias rating but I love this album.
Good tunes
4.5/5. Love how fresh and relevant this album remains, first listened to these songs when I was in jr. high and these songs continue to be bangers. Indie sleaze supremacy please.
Pretty good album with a distinct sound and a couple of absolute bangers. I dig it.
Great albumz
Man, I used to hear these guys on the radio so often back in 2013 that when I saw that the album came out in 2007 I was quite surprised. I have heard Time to Pretend, Electric Feel, and Kids so many times that I was like "Oh this song too". Lot of bangers for them but I also find this kind of corporate music basic as well, that's why it isn't 5 stars for me.
Excellent
Actually, not half bad.
pop moderne plutot, j'aime bien !
I thought this would be a great album and I was right.
right up my alley. objectively probably a 3, but the memories make it higher.
Great album. Never heard anything besides the classics (Pretend, Kids) which, by the way, are contenders for some of the greatest songs of the century so far.
MGMT is one of those music acts that I heard about, but never focused on listening to, despite their popularity. I got to say, I really dig this. It’s a nice blend of pop and electronic that doesn’t really drag or turn into background music. And it doesn’t come off as too indie either, if that makes any sense. It’s party music that doesn’t feel like party music. I was only eleven when this album came out, so it’s nice to finally get to hear it after all these years. Hopefully I get to see more from MGMT on here to see how they progressed. Favorite track: Kids Other hits: Time To Pretend, Weekend Wars, 4th Dimensional Transition, Of Moons, Birds, and Monsters, Future Reflections
One of the best to do it
maybe it's not a 10/10 album but it has great songs and i love the nostalgic feeling
Cool album!
Rating: 4 Notable songs: electric feel, kids, time to pretend This album was such a breakthrough and defining piece of art. I still listen to these songs actively in my playlists. As an album I'll admit after the first 5 songs it does drop off, but the impact as a whole gets its a solid 4.
This was such a cool album when it first came out, and I loved how MGMT managed to get recognized by mainstream culture. One of the things that always stood out to me was how psychedelic it sounded, but with synths and keyboards driving the music. They found the perfect balance between being forward thinking while still maintaining that retro, vintage tone and texture in their sound. Even now, some of these songs are still enjoyable, despite all the radio play they’ve gotten over the years.
Phenomenal childhood nostalgia, their hits were absolutely fantastic and the other stuff was pretty good too.
Good stuff. Handshake best track
Was really looking forward to hearing this album someday, glad it popped up here! Novel. Well recorded debut, highly talented guys breaking with that mid-00s alternative rock/dance trend (like Snow Patrol, Arcade Fire, Killers, etc. etc.). I like music that confronts the artist's escaping youth and the shallow enduring pain that goes along with lost childhood, lost innocence. 21 Pilots do this well, also. I really liked this album, the sounds, the songs, a lot of sonic variety. I'll put this on again. Better than a 3 but not quite a 4 but yoou have to round up sometimes.
3.5
Modern day psychedelic album. 4/5
this was surprisingly very enjoyable and I had no idea I actually knew some of the hits
überraschend bekannt und gutes dabei
first time listening to the whole thing but its evidently a classic...
It's impossible to come to this album with fresh ears. I really liked it when it came out, but through no fault of the band's, I think it wore out its welcome about 10 years ago. Objectively, it's an eccentric, eclectic, arty synth driven pop album, and it is done quite well.
This was EVERYWHERE in the late aughts. Solid work, but it didn't age particularly well because of the imitators.
Really great album with more really good songs than I remember. Will listen to this again for sure.
Immaculate vibes, truly. One part nostalgia and one part undiscovered bliss
Classic 00’s era album - so many radio hits on here , but are actually good songs too. I should come back to this more often.
Super nostalgic and still very fun
I was pleasantly surprised by this, I enjoyed almost every track. I think particularly the opening two but the vocals were consistently pleasant and there’s nothing better than restrained use of synths, they’re certainly present here but not overused which is welcome. I also like the psychedelic sound on here, this was an all round good time.
Great album! Fun and simple.
Favorite Track: Time to Pretend
Mal öppis anders.
find MGMT huere geil. aha nöd gwüsst dasi de song kenn, aso time to pretend. tönt extreeeem geil. die plätschrige snyths und so huuere cool. sehr nostalgischi musig. weekend wars au seehr cool mega amdersch very classical harmony. the youth isch suuuper cute bitz radiohead sehr geil. kenns glaub vode konzert haha. ooooh modulatiooon so schöön suuper. electric feel und kids hani afoch so löse lose well insane bangers huuuuuuere gueti songs beidi. zurecht roese hits. 4th dimensional zügs etz au sehr cool halt chli weird aber da chönds. of moons loht etz chli noh s isch immerno meeega kreativ. aber jo begeisteret mich weniger. the handshake isch jo au en haaammer song. das isch es verdaaammt guets album.
bin seehr gspannt AHHH DAS SIND DIE time to pretend findi seeehr cool, au wenn michs glaub wür störe wenn alles so upbeat isch hahah okee unbegründeti sorg, weekend wars tönt ho um einiges andersch au wenn das jz nöd mis lieblingslied wird hahahaha ahh jaa electric feel kenntmer KIDS KENNTMER MEGAAAA FEST d stimm passt da halt echt super und de (für mich) summer-vibe git eifach e gueti luune) jaa isch nöd nötig so lang aber suuuper lied 4th dimensional findi no cool aber nüt unglaublichs jaa sither laufts für mich rifach chli ah mier verbii ABER finds sehr erfrischend und nöd schlecht galteret für 2000er electromusig glaub es knapps 4i. pretend, electric feel und kids sind suuper und de rest eifach meh
I was familiar with them, but damn, this is good.
Got to be 4 for Kids alone
I liked this album more than I thought I would! I’ve getting more into this style of pop lately. This album had the perfect balance between cohesion and diversity! I was surprised to realize that “kids” was on this album, but it didn’t even end up being my favorite track! Favorite Track: The Handshake
MGMT occupies a club in my head with Foster The People; Peter Bjorn and John; and Portugal. The Man, although the latter came later IIRC. I actually always liked PBJ and P.TM better than MGMT and FTP, considering the latter to be mostly fluffy, shiny music that you might randomly hear on the radio or while shopping at Old Navy. It's not bad music; just vacuously catchy without much substance. That said, I really enjoyed listening to Oracular Spectacular in its entirety. I won't become an MGMT superfan anytime soon, but they are really talented and I will probably listen to this album again at some point.
Electric feel, kids, and time to pretend were the soundtrack to my college years.
Three or four terrific songs, and an original sound that has held up for almost twenty years.
Favorite Track: Time to Pretend
Better than I had memorized it.
Time to Pretend is an amazing song ruined by the Minecraft Movie. Everything else is good but doesn’t hit that same level in my opinion.
Debut album. Indie / Pop. Time To Pretend is a banger to open up with and great lyrics. Electric Feel is another really good track, both the melody and lyrics. Kids is a superb track and the best on the album. Pieces Of What and Of Moons, Brids and Monsters are also good tracks. Really good production on this album. Very good, some bangers and some depth.
Maybe it's my nostalgia taking over, but I love this album so much. It's just... incredible
Alt-electro-pop yeah! This one passed me by in 2007, but loving it in 2025.
Oh, this takes me back to the mid-2000s golden age of indie pop. Shout-out to CBC Radio 3, where I probably first heard all the hits off this album.
liked songs: Time to Pretend, Weekend Wars, The Youth, Electric Feel, Kids, Of Moons, Birds & Monsters Very good pop 3.5
3.7 At first I thought this was going to be another naff 2010s spacey poprock album (this list has contained a fair few already), but it turned out to be better than expected. Like with a lot of the genre I doubt this will stand the test of time (I can't remember anyone even mentioning MGMT in the last 15 years?), but enjoyable to absorb the first few listens. Last half of the album definitely weaker than the first half.
Great new wave french touch
Great, I had forgotten how much I enjoyed this album, and it was nice to be reminded of it
3.8, I've heard the top 3 songs too many times but they're all bangers
The hits still hit and the rest of the album is very listenable.
I'd always heard this was a solid album but never gave it a listen. I really enjoyed it, a few nostalgia songs mixed in with some good ones I'd never heard.
The singles from this album were so overplayed on release that I assumed I didn't like them, but revisiting this it's actually a great album. Well, the first half is a fantastic collection of trend-setting and catchy psychedelic pop songs and the second half is a bit of a slog.
For about a decade this was the soundtrack to every snowboarding video ever made. Still stands up.
Stand outs : Youth, Electric feel and kids. Rest is alright ayouths is especially catchy. 4th dimensional transition is interesting.
Has several hallmarks of music i don’t like. Techno, high pitched waffly male singer, etc. But this is really good! Seems strongly Bowie-influenced in a great way. Despite its techno roots, this album is (intentionally) underproduced and sounds homemade/DIY. Also, the tracks have a high degree of musicality, which I appreciate— it’s FUN listening. A four.
The 3 hits are worth price of admission alone, but the other songs are pretty good as well. There is a noticeable drop off in the last 2-3 songs, though.
Enjoyable album, the songs I’ve heard before/the singles are generally the best ones, but some other good stuff on there.
Far too nostalgic for me to give anything other than a 4. I'm level-headed enough to not give it a 5 but "Kids" and "Electric Feel" alone make this a millennial essential.
Brilliant album, played it to bits when it came out but had forgotten about till now! Great to revisit and remember.
I was pleasantly surprised by this album. Only knew the band through "Kids" which was all right but often sounded to me as an "indiewashed" dream pop update for the 2000s. This album has a lot more to offer that foes into the direction of space rock and psychedelia as well. Not every track is great but it's certainly a great mix of catchy and dreamy.
This is the first album I’ve gotten that I had already listened to because I liked it when it came out. I haven’t listened in years, and it’s still really good. Kids is a great song, and there are a lot of other strong ones. I forgot how much I like Pieces of What.
i wish i was a millennial (ew) just so i could experience being in uni 2007-2012
Millennial hipster beach party with a couple joints vibe
Kids <3
This album is much more than the hits. One of the best of the 2000's
great album, no misses.
I listen to Time to Pretend on the regular - excited to see what other songs I like off this album. Oh, I also love Electric Feel and Kids. Rest of the album was inoffensive, and easy to listen to. I liked this album!
Really cool weird sounds and pretty interesting album overall. Definitely not the type of music I usually listen to but it wasn’t bad.
Pretty good psychedelic album, wish I could give it a 7, but it was a really good chill relaxing time. Made my car ride a lot better today
solid vibes, got better around the end. wouldn’t put most of it in a playlist but it’s good enough to maybe relisten
best single run for any album ever, the rest of the album is great but those singles man holy fuck
This is the first album on this list that I have come across that is from my time. It came out when I was in college and thus has so many memories tied to it that influence how it sounds to me. Opening with time to pretend the drums, background synths and voclas just come together. Weekend wars and the youth aren't the anthemic bangers that exist elsewhere on this album but I think that they are interesting musically and lyrically. Kids is a 5 star track in it's self. The 4 star rating is probably nostalgia based.
Time to Pretend // Weekend Wars // The Youth // Electric Feel // Kids //
Hits and misses but utterly synthtastic
Good
Minecraft movie song
Every time I revisit this album I always go “damn, this is better than I remember” and then proceed to forget about it for a couple years. MGMT are largely a singles band, with the singles here, and on their other albums, being the obvious highlights. Time To Pretend, Kids, Electric Feel?? Whew! Though it’s more consistent than I really give credit for. The Youth is incredible. That one song with Monster in the title is a banger. Pretty strong album, honestly! Saw Porter Robinson cover Kids last year and that ruled. Saw MGMT live in 2018 or 19. A lifetime ago. Much prefer their 2018 album Little Dark Age, which I can only hope is on this list. This is probably more of a 3.5, but for this site I’m giving it a 4.
Interesting!