Reviews (page 7 of 15)
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.
For the memories!
Interesting sounds. Reminded me a little of Cage the Elephant, Arcade Fire, and Foster the People
6/10
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).
I own this album. But, to be honest, I couldn't name a song other than the big three: 'Time to Pretend', 'Electric Feel' and, of course, 'Kids'. I'm ashamed to admit that I probably put the album on my itunes and picked out those three. Wow! That's a real sign of the pre-Spotify/Streaming service times. But, I digress, the album. 'Time to Pretend' is an absolute banger. The lyrics are so childish, but it works. And, perhaps that's the theme across this album. There's a charm to it, that just makes sense. What really surprised me was that I really enjoyed the rest of the songs. There really aren't any duds. Perhaps the ender could be a bit stronger. The melodies seem more complex than they actually are. And, the synths seem to be in the same vein. I got this album about the time I really discovered what a synthesizer was (and how it worked). I always thought a synth was a true sign of sophistication in music. Perhaps this album fuelled that. 'Kids' is still awesome. I saw them play at Glastonbury (and then everyone leave after they played it - this was 2013 post their weird album that came after this). I never really liked 'Electric Feel', but actually really enjoyed the bass this time round. However, there are winners deep in the album for those not like 2010 me (yep, I was that uncool I bought it 3 years late!). 5 Stars.
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.
This album reminds us of the power of the EP. Take your best tracks that represent where you are and put them together. Or thay some artist suit the singles driven craze that comes and goes in music, and is back now with streaming amd the ease of playlists. Unfortunately, this is an LP and the non single tracks struggle to live up to the hype of the singles. Knowing how many early iterations there were of songs like Kids and Electric feel, and the time and effort from multiple parties and producers that went into refining these tracks, you have to wonder if more time.could have been spent on the rest of thw album. Likely other albums on here. When its good, its great. But when its average, its average.
Decent background filler. Nice start, second half not as good as first.
Classic. Really had the late aughts on fire
Hard to separate my own contemporary experience in the music business from these guys. We would’ve loved to have worked with Fridmann and actually did with one of his engineers, with good results. But how did these 2 put this together? Family money? They had some talent based on the initial EPs so this isn’t a case of Fridmann molding them into something, but still, what..? It’s a distinct enough aesthetic that I can see it being reclaimed down the line, but atm (2025) this feels like something best forgotten.
Spectacular indeed; I gained new appreciation for the album cuts whose intricacies continue to amaze while the familiar bangers continue to bang. This is a stunning debut that is worthy of the best of Sparks, Love, Spirit or any other earthy-yet-ethereal Psych-pop band you can name. Like so many other classic albums of the time benefited from Dave Fridmann’s knob-twisting, but would’ve been a classic either way.
Some decent songs but nothing stood out for me. 3 stars or C.
Loved it! took me back
Gud
Contains my favorite song from high school. These guys are good at making songs
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.
Do I like this album, or is it just that the hits are recognisable to me? I think the opening Time To Pretend is great, and there are moments I enjoy in a lot of the other tracks. I don't think I actually like Kids, I just know it. Weekend Wars sounds a bit T-Rex or Bolan at times, and I like the vocal effect where it sounds like they're singing in a large, echoey room they use sometimes. Overall pretty good, I engaged with it more than with the albums I give 2 stars to
Q little weird... but not in a good way. Opeining cut get's an additional star to the rating
*Some big hits...lots I remember as sports talk radio/podcast bumper music. *Unique sound, especially for its time, but the mid-tempo stuff feels sluggish at times which can make it get boring.
Ah I already know I'm going to like this one. This takes me back to being 20 and smoking endlessly in my attic flat. There are some absolute bangers on this album, even outside the singles. This album makes me think of endless summers and endless nights
banger
Derivative and uninteresting.
Better than I expected
Schönes Album inklusive Ohrwürmern!
A little poppy for my taste but not a bad album.
This albums combines a lot of things I like - deep lyrics, pop-sensible structure, guitar (or guitar synths)....but I don't like it.
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
First i was like who is this band, then they played that 1 song everyone knew.
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
In a previous time I would’ve given this album a 4, maybe even a 5. But in the grand scheme of things, it’s not worth that. Three hits amongst several other unnoticeable tracks makes this an album that defines a generation for some but has little to offer for many others.
Some really nice melodies here for me were spoiled by the overblown contrived space age production. Synths sound dated. Just listen to David Bowie instead.
no thanks
The hits are good, but the rest don't measure up. Generic pop?
Couldn't connect to this even though I tried. I didn't hate it though so it deserved at least two stars. The song Kids stands out.
Montage music.
This album comes out swinging hard. Been years since I’ve listened to it and wow, it’s definitely one of my favorites.
Every Frat Boy's favorite album and just for 3 songs. Oracular Spectacular is more then just a mouthful of an album title, it is MGMT's debut album and it is pretty solid. Not going to touch on the big 3 songs because that horse has been beat to shit so lets talk about the other 7 tracks. Weekend Wars is a slow but really fun track that honestly deserves more respect, it is a fun "rock anthem" electronic track that just feels great to listen to. The Youth is a very misplaced song on this album and the start of a bunch of questionable picks for this project. It is mostly an indie rock song which is weird on a heavily electronic album, or at least that's how I see this project. 4th Dimensional Transition is yet another forceful attempt to make this project half electronic and half indie rock when the indie rock really doesn't work at all with this duo. This is an electronic group and once they realize that then they are golden, but the indie rock songs are rough and decent at best. Not going to lie completely forgot what Pieces of What sounded like mere minutes after. Of Moons, Birds & Monsters is the only good rock song here because it is heavily electronic in a trippy way that makes you want to sink into the ground. The Handshake is a simple and well executed track that gets the pass because it is simply good, no other reason. Future Reflections is such a let down closer for this project because it does the stupid indie rock thing again, just shows how this album struggles with any sort of identity and instead becomes a very lop-sided game of tug-o-war. I think one of the best ways to sum this up is with the comment @polduan made, "split this album in half and you get two different projects - first one is amazing, the latter just okay."
8/10 - this would be a complete album with only time to pretend, kids and electric feel
Starts off good with Time to Pretend - the hit. I think that the rest is pretty good, but I don’t think I’m going to listen to it again - It’s not really for me
While the first half of the album is stacked with iconic songs that still hold up beautifully, the deeper cuts don’t hit nearly as hard, often dragging or feeling a little unfocused. Favourite Songs: Time to Pretend, Kids, Future Reflections. Least Favourite Songs: Pieces of What, The Handshake.
classic
8/10
It’s got a fun sound all around
I was underwhelmed.
Album sympa, qui a comme highlight le premier morceau. Ceci étant dit, je le trouve relativement oubliable. Donc c'est un 3. 3.5 aurait pu marcher aussi
These are some of the best pop songs of my generation. I always say the 90s has the best music but damn the decade that followed just fucked so hard. This album is making me nostalgic for a time when I was young and idealistic and didn't have a mortgage. This is exactly the album I needed right now. Listened to it repeatedly today. Time to Pretend is a song whose lyrics made listen in wonder. The fullness of the story, the resigned despair at the end while this funky spacey groove unfurls behind it. Genius. The hypnotic effect of the repeating lyrics, the cosmic potency of their best song Of Moons, Birds and Monsters. This album sounds better today in 2025 than it did 18 years ago. The vibes, as they say, are immaculate. This is a classic psychedelic pop record that's better than anything Tame Impala has ever done.
Perfectly fine electronic Bowie-esque pop, though I’d prefer to listen to both Bowie and/or less derivative electronic music.
Great album, several huge hits in only 40 minutes. Also the nostalgia factor was huge on this one.
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
Amazing album, lots of nostalgia from a few years ago with this one. Just perfect.
It’s a fun album. Good but other than the singles I already know, I think it’s pretty average.
#697. This album fucks way harder than you would expect it to. 4/5: grand
Not my favorite but this has much more potential replayability than a lot of music i've heard from this list so there's that.
Some bops on here. Really love the song 'kids'.
It’s their only good work. This was the soundtrack to my life when it came out.
Increíble disco, de lo mejor del género con tan solo Tame Impala por encima.
3 modern indie classics and not a lot else to recommend. I can see why they never repeated this success again.
Låter vansinnigt daterat nu den här "bloggelektron" uppblandat med indie från 20ish år tillbaka. Jag ska erkänna det fanns grejer där som jag gillade...Då! Få saker har åldrats lika illa. MGMT var inte en av dom jag gillade då och är det verkligen inte nu heller. Musik som borde stannat på bloggarna, funnits där i några flykyiga ögonblick för att sen glömmas för all evighet. Det finns några helt ok poplåtar men samtidigt saknar dom helt popkvalité på nåt vänster. Jag nöjer där och går och lyssnar på nysläppt popmusik med Four Tet, Suede och Saint Etienne istället. En etta som sniffar på godkänt!
MTGM är inte något albumband. De kan konsten att avfyra rökare som Time to pretend och Kids. Men däremellan mest utfyllnad, inte dåligt, men bara inte särskilt minnesvärt. En trea för de två nämnda låtarna.
Svängig elektropop. Klart godkänt.
Inte alls min grej. Glättigt och överproducerat.
Znam, 4
Indie stuff is not for me. This isn’t terrible, though.
-OOH GIRL. SHCOK ME LIKE AN EELCTRIC EEL -this was soo fun, certainly not MGMT’s most esteemed album but i think it’s actually a really good introduction to the band -i feel like there were def a few mediocre / bad songs but the good ones made up for them -Favorites are Electric Feel, Kids, and 4th Dimensional Transition
absolute banger, 4.5
Büro, Heidenheim, Deutschland. Läuft fein durch.
Not my cup of coffee
Lo he escuchado como 5 veces ya, siempre termina siendo música de fondo, pero igual me gusta.
Was basically unfamiliar with this album -- it was good.
This is not my first listen of Oracular Spectacular, but my first full listen in sometime. I want to like this more. These guys are great so writers and we're definitely in line with the vibe of pop music when this album came out. I guess I think this is a perfectly OK album and deserves to be on the list but doesn't reach any new highs or get out of its own comfort zone.
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
Definitely some great songs, could not overcome the impression of a singing ghost jangling keys... highlights were electric feel and kids
3/10 I don’t know what happened to this band. They seem to have completely lost any ability to write the type of music that they’re actually good at making about 15 minutes into the sessions for this album. Two of the three big singles (Time to Pretend and Kids) had appeared in earlier forms on their indie label EP a couple of years before this album came out, and the only one that comes close to it, but still isn’t in at their level, is the other single. It’s kind of maddening. Their good songs are bombastic, euphoric, electro indie and when they do that, it’s great. But they seem to not want to do that for the rest of the album. Oh, and their lead singer is bad. With the high energy, big production stuff, it kind of works. The lead and bass lines are the stars and he’s the cheerleader during those, but when he’s left more exposed, oh boy. It feels like the producer is constantly trying different techniques and effects chains to make the vocal better, but it comes across as pretty scattergun and doesn’t really hide how weak the vocal is. Oddly, the guy who takes more of the backing vocals seems a much more competent singer. Maybe he’s just shy. This album is definitely held up by the singles, and I’d happily dip back in to those, but that’s all that’s elevating this album above the real cloggers on the list. Time to Pretend - This is an electro-indie banger. It’s got some interesting sound design, some great hooks and it moves. The beats are good, it’s got real weight and it screams ‘dancing, arms aloft at a festival in the rain’. Vocally it’s not great, but they are not the main focus of the track, so they work. Solid. Weekend Wars - Stripped back and thin, the weakness of the vocal is more exposed here. This is just a bit meandering and doesn’t seem to know what it wants to be. It does offer development into different stages, but it feels like someone’s just muted a bunch of channels in the mix and we’ve got about half of a track. The Youth - Another wandering, meandering and thin song. It’s just rubbish. Doesn’t offer anything at all, plods along and then ends. Electric Feel - Another single! This has got a nice little groove to it, and some of the synth work is pretty decent. It is still quite thin in places and never reaches the height and weight of Time to Pretend. It just never really quite delivers on its promises. Decent enough album track, but still feels a bit bland. Kids - The other big banger of a single. It’s got a meaty, solid bass line and the intersecting synth lead lines are cool under that wash of pads. Again, the weakness of the vocal is compensated for by the scale and weight of the track. It’s very hooky and falls into the same category as Time to Pretend. Festival anthem. 4th Dimensional Transition - Another song that doesn’t really offer anything. Plinky synth lines that don’t go anywhere, and insistent percussion that bashes away, completely at odds with the rest of the track. It feels like it’s building to about the 3 minute mark, but it doesn’t build to anything except a drop off and some random guitar strumming that drags on for a minute. Rubbish. Pieces of What - Oooh, more terrible singing. This is the sound of an unbearable twat with an acoustic guitar around a campfire, but with an outrageous amount of reverb on his vocal. There’s obviously a bit of instrumentation, but it’s all very by the book and uninteresting. It finally kicks in 2/3 of the way through, for about 30 seconds, inexplicably, but the drums are splashy and bad, and then it just drifts away and… that’s it? Of Moons, Birds & Monsters - Sounds like pretty unspectacular indie rock, but with synths and a very muddy mix. He still can’t sing. Oh, that’s a bad guitar solo too. When it builds up the soundscapes it’s at least a bit more interesting, but the quality of the rest of the (non single) tracks on here has left me with less patience for this than I would normally have. The Handshake - It’s a fairly plodding little number with some arpeggiated synths. There’s a bit more to this than some of the other tracks. Rhythmically, it’s a bit more interesting in places and some of the synth washes are nice. Do we need a minute of ‘We got the handshake’? And with added whistling. Great. Future Reflections - This feels unfocused and I couldn’t help but lose attention to this multiple times. It’s just a bit uninteresting as a song. There’s at least a bit of an attempt to make it sonically interesting with some of the production, but it’s just a boring song.
Sorry MGMT, dini Ziit isch biz dure. Han dich erträgt wod ide Charts cho bisch aber nonie richtig gfiired. Schlecht isch es irgendwie ned aber de Störfaktor het de es-isch-mer-egal-Faktor Fast biz überbotte. Darum nur zwei Gsichtdbemalige
Ja sali tschüss tschau. Ez wird business gmacht vum management. Was ein spektakel. Biz vergässe das album aber jeses marrei nur scho 5 tracks abgspeicheret gha. Isch scho e spektakuläri performance vum ne album. Durch und durch happy und schön, hed sogar mini 30minute velofahrt im Vollschiff chöne d mood dobe phalte. Das isch de Speck vum Sandwich, De Specht vu de Vogelarte, 5 spektakuläri sternlis, b-r-a-v-o
hmmmm bin nöd sicher öbi 5 oder 2 stern söll gäh… glaube aber eher 5 – chönt mi aber au tüüsche
Electric Feel is one of my favorite songs of all time.
I didn't mind this.
I am mad at this stupid website for making me listen to this
3 great songs and a handfull of half decent ones. Not really my cup of tea and more than that, not really a strong album IMO
The youth is starting to change, are you starting to change
Lot of bangers on this album.
Great pop album, changed the game back when it was made, and still feels fresh today. Many great hits, a little long on some songs, but all in all still a very enjoyable experience. Even if this was meant to be a parody of music at the time, it struck the core of what made that music special in my eyes, and really shines with the singles. I could put any of these songs on during a party and everyone will get down to dance methinks. It just feels happy, even in spite of the lyrics. 5/5
I love MGMT. I'm sure I've listened to this album before. It may be my mood, but I didn't enjoy it quite the same this time. Still, I think it's a solid album, and it reflects the indie style that shone through the 2010s. For me, it's an 8.5 out of 10. mini0n, 10/09/2025
Aside from the trees Just wanting to be haunted I feel mostly meh
Fantastic debut album from a couple of liberal arts majors who got into music as a lark. Beyond the standouts here ("Time to Pretend," "Electric Feel, " "Kids") there are some great, weird psych-rock tunes. They would go even further in that direction with their next album, "Congratulations," but the creativity and joy here is palpable. Even Paul McCartney was a big fan of this album. And they continue to evolve and improve on their sound.
Probably the best indie pop album of all time. Throwing together funk and psych and pop and surf and indie rock and even disco, what a sonic stew. Listened to it on repeat as a teenager and it's still in frequent rotation for me. Oracular Spectacular was MGMT's big break and has their biggest songs, they could have easily rested on their laurels after it or kept trying to make hits, but theyre true creatives and continue to make compelling stuff into 2025. Honestly think Congratulations is an even better record, but its hard to beat the hooks of Kids or Electric Feel, and the deep cuts on here also rule.
Absolutely amazing album
Good 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
Not sure what I expected but was better than I expected
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
Kids got overplayed, this album has no filler. Didn't appreciate it when it was current, sure do now
Still my favourite album by them
wonderful record. nice to relisten to !
A classic and super influential. Not their best work, but still awesome.
Гуд
Fun electronic music. Danced around in the kitchen to a few of these songs.
Fun, short, diverse.
Great end of summer vibes, some familiar sounds and new finds!
I dont really like it. But then I start humming along.
Kids and Time to Pretend feel like the highlights, both were played incessantly on the radio when this album came out. While this is a fun album, it really feels firmly stuck in 07/08 and aside from nostalgia I don't see myself really revisiting
fresh and flashy, knew more than one song from... the radio?
What a throwback. Listening to all of these tracks makes me think of late 2000s and 10s. Great album to come back to.
Not their best. Decent tho but I don't see the mass mass appeal. Maybe because it has mass appeal I don't care for it, it's too general.
I hear time to pretend and i get chills to being 14 years old again. The nostalgia rushes back to me like a wave. Running and grabbing my ipod to illegally download this from Limewire so I can show my friend right before homeroom. Absolutely epic album
Great album
One of my favorites so far I loved this album, it's great from front to back
+ electric zoo
Good
4-/5
Awesome
I like it
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.
Optimistic street pop from the era that lead to the Obama election. Great production and solid songs.
This was the only CD I had in my car for a year during high school. Great memories of this album. Top 50 for me, probably.
Makes me wanna party so hard, 5/5 for relistenability!!!
it was decent but nothing i love or will return to. i knew kids and electric feel beforehand. kids being the song i much prefer out of those two. of moons, birds & monsters is my fave song from this album. i enjoyed it a lot! i’m actually going to add this to my playlist.
Enjoyed it it’s very good pop music
This album is the original Indie Sleeze! It really exemplifies the principles that were prevalent during the 2010's. I also saw them at Lollapallooza and while others said it was a lackluster performance, I enjoyed it.
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.
I have never heard anything like MGMT, and i probably never will
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.
Several recognizable radio songs from my teens. Not generally my cup of tea but don’t hate
4 notes into first track: oh thats who this is
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
Sounds very 2007. I couldn’t tell if it was a unique sound or just the pop version of the “ho-hey” Mumford songs of the time.
Childhood memories... So good
Oh boy… it’s going to be reallyyy hard for me to be objective about this one. This album was EVERYWHERE during my first few years of college. It’s so indelibly linked to those carefree days of living fast, partying, and not caring about tomorrow. So, forget trying to be objective, I’m just going to appreciate the nostalgia and soak it all in. ✌️🤑🪬🪐🍻 5/5 Highlights: Time to Pretend Weekend Wars 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.
There are some iconic songs here but the rest is just tiresome.
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
Not my thing.
Basically, there are the two 'hits': I really like the ironic synthy pop of 'Time to Pretend' and the more melancholy thick fuzz of 'Kids' is good enough. But otherwise, the songs are just kind of mediocre, though the proggy new wave disco production has its cool textural moments. I don't know, it's fine.
Always enjoy listening, but seems to be just a party band with some catchy hooks. Would not place this in the "greatest of all time." category.
Not as uniformly strong as I wished it was. Love the big three, though, which are spiky, electric, and have great pop hooks.
Electronica usually not my jam, but Electric Feel and Kids changed my mind.
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
One of my favorites of all time
Awesome album, does start to get same sounding by the end but it has so many bangers. 9/10
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.
Iconic. Never actually listened to the whole album, just knew the couple bangers. Really enjoyed the other stuff too. I hope there never comes a time in my life where I hear Kids and don't immediately start jamming.
I love that this album is on here. This is maybe the first album on the playlist that I feel like truly belonged to me and my friends growing up. This came out towards the end of Middle School for me and really took hold a few years after that. MGMT were constantly played by me and my friends, alongisde Passion Pit, Phoenix, Two Door Cinema Club, Temper Trap, M83, alt-J, and others. This era of electronic/synth-driven indie music was incredible. "Time to Pretend" is an amazing song. The synth parts are iconic. Everything about the production is amazing. "Weekend Wars" has some of my favorite vocals on the album. I don't know why the whiny vocals are so great, but they are. "Electric Feel" and "Kids" are two more iconic songs. They are about as recognizable as songs can get. For my specific slice of my generation, and maybe others, these are as recognizable as "Hey Jude' or "Bohemian Rhapsody" coming on. "Pieces of What" sounds like MGMT doing an Oasis impersonation. That makes me like it. "Of Moons, Birds & Monsters" has some sweet drums and guitar in it. This is one of the most potently nostalgic albums we've had (if not the most), and it fills me with a lot of emotions. It really feels like two albums, separated by "4th Dimensional Transition". The front half of the album gets a 10/10, and the back half gets an 8/10, so I'll have to average them out. 9/10
Def had some great songs musically. Music reflected the time in the mid 00's. Some of the lyrics got lost in the more atmospheric songs. I would have liked them to be more prominent and clear. They can really put a good beat backed with solid vocals, like in Time to Pretend and Kids. I would have liked a couple more songs in this vein.
This is a weird one to rate - three absolutely spectacular (pun intended) songs that might represent the apex of aughts indie rock, and then a lot of tracks that are sort of...fine? I don't think it's actually great as an ALBUM. I'll admit the back half of this record never got a lot of spins from me even when it first came out so it was sort of like listening to it for the first time. Weekend Wars is probably the "best of the rest" for me. I do like the production and sort of the proggy psychadelia of it all but but it just feels like there is too much filler.
I can’t think of a song better deserving of being called an “anthem” more than time to pretend. What an opener. Despite loving the singles, I never have really listened to the album. And weirdly, it didn’t do much for me. It’s almost like the three singles latched onto me when they were released and I’ve enjoyed them for the last 15ish years, but my tastes aren’t the same anymore so anything new kind of bounces off me. Weird!
It was alright - I liked the noises, but felt like I was in top man buying a shirt to go clubbing.
Good album, Kids was kinda ruined for me due to being used constantly in adverts
7/10
4.7
I liked it
I mean, I've heard the opening single a billion times. It's fine! I like it, although I've never particularly sought it out. Oh, yeah, and here's Electric Feel. Yup. And Kids, yup. Yup yup yup. I actually really liked Of Moons, Birds, & Monsters, too, but otherwise yeah. I think it's good, but also I don't feel super drawn to 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.
Yeah, yeah. It’s still basically fine, just like it’s always been. Had to skip “Kids” tho, just so I wouldn’t have to kill myself. (Bonus: one of the worst album covers of my lifetime, at least.)
Quite fun but not sure I'll listen to it often. 3.5/5
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.
I think Kids is still the highlight of the album for me but I love the vibe in general.
Spectacular indeed
Yay! A newer album. Knew the hits but not the rest of the album. Not bowled over but not dragged down, either.
Fun album
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
Fuck yeah good album reminds me of drugs and fucking
It was okay. There were a lot of songs that I recognized from commercials. So, that was cool to hear them in their entirety. It was kind of bland, though.
Eh
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
This album takes me back to a very specific time and place. There are some real bangers that still hit, but I didn't feel the album as a whole stood the test of time.
Hallmark of the Class of 2009 college experience. Still gets me moving
millennial!
interesting jolly poppy stuff
Good
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
The first track is pretty good, but after that the MGMT sound wears thin, as does the songwriting.
Cool music.
ac tual
The songs that likely charted are still fun to listen to.
I liked their music and style but it wasnt for me. I enjoyed having them as background music while i was painting, but i didnt add any song to my playlist
b - 8 l - 8
I think this may be the most contemporary album I've received up until now, but you'd be hard pressed to believe that when listening to it. This really hasn't aged well at all, and honestly I found the bulk of it absolutely insufferable. MGMT attempt to mask what is a fairly rudimentary of the time indie album with a heaping of disorientating electronica warpage, going for a psychedelic vibe, but it ultimately culminates in an unconvincing and grating listen in the main. I was of course familiar with a couple of the singles ("Electric Feel" and "Kids", the latter of which in particular was unavoidable for a time in the 2000s to early 10s), and both are admittedly catchy, but they come nowhere close to compensating for much of the dross on offer either side of them. "Of Moons, Birds and Monsters" is also passable in that it is afforded more breathing room than the other unfocused tracks, and it offers a more tasteful ratio between the 'tronica and the indie, but it's hardly anything exemplary. Overrated, overstated, overwrought and overindulgent. This is the sort of album, for those of this era, that your mate from secondary school / college who tried acid at a party once, and thought he was the dog's bollocks, would probably have had screeching out of his Sony Ericsson push up phone.
3.7
God level singles with a lot of muck. The soundtrack of Obama optimism
Very nostalgic for a millennial like me. The second half wasn't as good as the first though.
Good modern indie pop album.
Just like that I'm waiting tables in college again
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
Classic
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!
I forgot how undeniably catchy some of these songs were, and I liked hearing the ones that weren't ubiquitous singles, too.
Je to skvělé, poslechnu si určitě další alba. Líbilo se mi The Youth, Electric Feel a Kids.
the loveliest. About childhood. As well as about mine. Lovely and touching. 9\10
not bad rate 3.5 if possible
I loved the energy of the album!
Really funny that the three singles from this album were written as a joke to parody late 2000s pop music and they became three of the best pop songs of all time. Rest of the album is new for me and is pretty ahead of it's time as Psychedelic Pop/Rock had a resurgence in the last few years, but doesn't hit as hard as the singles. Of Moons, Birds & Monsters was pretty good though.
There are tracks on here that everyone's heard at least once. It's trippy and feels kind of like an out-of-body experience when listening to this entire record through. It's got great production and head boppers, then before a track ends, the mixing gets distorted and messes with your head and in a good way too. Favourite Track(s): Electric Feel, Of Moons, Birds & Monsters Least Favourite Track(s): Pieces of What
• they really had us in a chokehold then, didn't they? • 5 ★ just for the nostalgia
Loved this album when it debuted and still do!
not for me
Un grupo único, con una trayectoria singular. Tal vez estén en el punto justo entre The Flaming Lips y Tame Impala. Todos sus discos tiene estupendos momentos y alguno, como este debut, tiene temas que se han quedado en la memoria colectiva. No es su mejor disco (LDA o Loos of life son más completos), pero este tiene 3 pelotazos como el megaéxito Time to pretend, Electric feel o Kids. Solo por eso se justifica el disco, que además es muy disfrutable con otros buenos momentos como Weekend wars o Of Moons, Birds & Monsters. También alguno más convencional como The Youth. Produce Dave Friedman, otro signo de calidad.
VIBES
Love it
Electronic melenium Pop. Ranked 494/500 best album according to Rolling Stone.
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.
It’s a good Album, refreshing and easy to listen. Sometimes vocals and melodies can get too repetitive, you know what you’re getting after a couple of songs, however the synths and guitar parts save the record.
Historically I've been down on the so-called 'Alternative/Indie' boom of the mid-late 2000s. The music of the period sounds, to me, like a soulless jumble; bands replete with singers who looked the same and sounded the same, guitarists who played the same shoddy riffs; songs that covered the same ground and pushed exactly zero envelopes. The entire period affected an air of effortlessness and superiority - only it wasn't effortless at all, in fact the desire to appear effortless was tragic along Titanic lines. I came into 'Oracular Spectacular' with the same critical apparatus in place. I expected to hate this record; I expected be filled with a desire to time travel to 2008 and do ghastly things to the band. To my surprise, the critical apparatus disintegrated and I found myself getting more than a little verklempt. This was an incredible listening experience. The whole record is effortlessly anthemic, cosmic, etherial...and yet completely grounded. This is, for me, the apex of its genre. In a sea of bands with the emotional range of an electric toothbrush head MGMT rises from the depth and proves that there is something there, below the surface, below the ripples and the bubbles and the affect and the costume and the same dead eyes and blank faces and haircuts...there might just be something more. This is a heavy rotation record.
So that's who wrote all these catchy songs! Pretty fun album, both angular and smooth.
Some of my favorite songs of all time are on this album. Love the MGMT sound. But the hits are hits and some of the misses are pretty boring in comparison.
Listened to about half of it so far. I recognized a few tunes and already have these tunes in my collection. Album as a whole is OK.
Nice pop
Suddenly you hear "Kids" and you think, "Did they make this?" The album instantly improves. "Kids" isn't on my playlist yet, but that's about to change...
MGMT was very mucha flash in the pan and the songs are incredibly derivative, but these guys can write a goddamn hook. Not to mention that “Kids” and “Time to Pretend” hold a real special place in my heart because of how they coincided with my own coming-of-age out of college and into adulthood. It’s not the best, but it’s also not the worst.
hated this less once i realized they were trolling
Not bad. Reminds me of my year abroad, but I think other than that, I would probably just pass over this.
Only knowing the 3 big songs off this album, I'm genuinely glad I got to experience the complete album.
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
This was more psychedelic than I thought it would be. Good trippy bohemian style pop. The 3 singles really carried the album, with the other songs seeming mostly muted, especially at the end.
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.
5/5 no notes
Wow fast nur banger, hat voll den nicen vibe auch generell
First song made me think this might be something. Then, absolutely nothing.
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
Indisputable bangers on this one, but not really my thing overall
MGMT is one of those bands I heard in early middle school when I was “beginning to discover music” and while I think it definitely influenced me, I have no desire to bring this back into my life. It just doesn’t hold up. That being said, whatever they’re doing nowadays with shit like Bubblegum Dog rules
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⭐️
I enjoyed this album more than I thought I would. Saved 2 songs.
While I certainly do know the two big hits, I had never listened to this album. It’s decent pop. Some similar sounding tunes.
Ganska kul album. Höga toppar, ok mellanspår. Rolig ljudbild men tappar när det blir för flummigt och såsigt. Singlarna svinbra och hållit över tid. Andra halvan tappar en del. Synd de inte vågar gå mer ”kommersiellt/poppigt ”. Bästa spår: Kids Betyg: 6 av 10 (ev 5,5 egentligen)
Now that was interesting. I of course already knew MGMT from my youth - "Kids" and "Electric Feel" were everywhere when I moved to LA in 2010 - but I hadn't actually sat and listened to the album. The album itself has a remarkably different sound than the three headline acts (including Time to Pretend). While those three have an electronic, indie-pop sound, the rest of the album is MUCH more accoustic, much more thoughtful, almost melancholy. Kind of a mix between shoegaze and folk. To be honest, I'm not entirely sure that it works cohesively - it feels like the band was shotgunning stuff at the wall to see what stuck. The result? Three all-time bangers and a full album that is never greater than the sum of its parts.
I really liked this 17 years ago, but it hasn't held up after repeatedly hearing it for all these years. It was definitely innovative at the time though. I think I've moved on from the content too.
I like the singles
Sometimes you are just two songs, and that’s fine.
The youth are starting to change Are you starting to change?
One of my desert island albums, perfect no skips. So much fun
First track amazing definitely going to become one of my favourites. Not too fond on the second track weekend wars though. Same with track three if I am honest. Track 4 Electric Feel is good imo still not hitting the highs of track 1. Kids is biblical dare I say more. Track 5 isn’t great definitely a miss on this project. Track 6 Pieces of What is quite good when you get into it. Last few tracks were an actual vibe bro. 10/10
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.
Throwback to high school. Enjoyed the album as a whole, will probably only return to the 2 liked songs: Time to Pretend and Kids
Such a seminal album and band of this era. Fave song: Time to Pretend, Future Reflections
This album came out when I was in middle school, and I love it just as much today as I did then.
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
Had a couple of good songs, but wasn't my cup of tea.
Fun album, but nothing really special. I like the tracks with short catchy Synth lines, like Time to Pretend. I think I'll listen to that one again, but other than that I don't think I'll replay this one very often.
There’s so much unique and fun ons this album
Solid album.
Spectacular album. One of my favs
Not for me
Some early aught hits , not too bad
Heerlijk album! Niet alle nummers even goed, maar nog steeds top.
nostalgic, EXTREMELY psychedelic - would be very fun live, definitely got me in contemplation
———————————— A low 3 or a high 2, so…3 My non-musician scoring system. 5 - Love it. Would play anytime, buy, see live… 4 - Good music. 3 - Average playlist. Depends on time and setting. 2 - I can’t listen to whole songs. 1 - No.
Album of the the summer for the 18th year in a row
Fine.
Nothing too spectacular
The singles are amazing. The rest of the album falls flat
bonzinho
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
Not a fan. Good production but very of its time.
Time to Pretend and Kids are standout tracks, tracks that preceded the album by a couple of years though. I never got into the album itself at the time, still not my cup of tea, and much preferred the follow up Congratulations.
epic!
3 stand out singles but the rest was pretty meh.
2.9
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.
Just love
Played this cd a million times
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.
Couple of fun ones
Good fun. Time to Pretend is an excellent track.
♫ Listening to "Time to Pretend" by MGMT (Time to Pretend - SOTW, 2007) ♫