Who is MGMT?

It's a good question, and I was glad that the pop-tronic band had the audacity to title their Web site whoismgmt.com. Really, when it comes to making your site name, decisions can be difficult. They couldn't just do mgmt.com because it's some sort of server index. That's the trouble also with making band names these days. Not only do musicians have to take into consideration capturing their sound, scene, and stance as human beings in one phrase, now it has to be marketable via search terms. One has to wonder if new groups check out google hits of possible names before selecting the right title for them, just so they know what their site options are.

Anyways. I was in fact wondering who is MGMT the other day while driving through Columbus. CD101 decided to break from their traditional pop vs. Jane's Addiction repertoire to provide the little gem of a song "Time to Pretend" by none other than MGMT. The DJ made some sort of comment about it being "pop music that's actually good for once." I'm not so sure I would label it pop music exclusively, although it is rather catchy in a way that makes you want to listen to it over and over again. If you're looking for bubble gum pop, this is not your ticket. If you want something different yet radio-friendly, the fellas in MGMT are your guys.

I quickly switched over from radio to iPod, remembering the album was buried in there somewhere. The second track, "Weekend Wars," is one that I keep skipping, in spite of my preference to listen to an album from beginning to end. "The Youth" makes up for it, providing a positive reflection of modern-day youth. "No, they're not all lazy, give them a chance," MGMT seems to proclaim. The optimism continues into "Electric Feet" and "Kids," which have the ability to inspire even the most cautious of the growing up youthlings to do at least a bit of shoulder bouncing while driving around with an iPod bumping. The album finishes with "Future Reflections," a conundrum in itself, much like the life of the 20-somethings MGMT most closely relates to.

Altogether, Oraculat Spectacular provides a new perspective on the notion of who the youngins are today, as well as a unique perspective about who they want to/will be in the next few years. While the themes imply uncertainty, the music promises to be the rock of changing hipsters and pop-phenes alike.

MGMT-"Kids"