Madison’s Orpheum Theater will be filled with psychedelic glory tomorrow as Brooklyn’s MGMT is coming to town.
Andrew VanWyngarden and Ben Goldwasser released their third, self-titled album as MGMT earlier this year to favorable reviews. In what Under the Radar calls the duo’s “most visionary and challenging work yet,” MGMT cements the group’s reputation for doing its own thing. The album is an odyssey through colorful textures, off-kilter pop, and electronic grooves. It’s no surprise that the record was made at Dave Fridmann’s Tarbox Road Studios, a place where many of MGMT’s sonic relatives (The Flaming Lips, Tame Impala, Neon Indian) have recorded.
MGMT’s reputation has been defined, and somewhat unfairly marred, by their inability to conform. The duo found massive mainstream success with the radio friendly electro-pop on 2007’s Oracular Spectacular, Goldwasser’s and VanWyngarden’s debut. The album has sold over a million copies, propelled by extensive touring and three smash singles — “Kids,” “Time to Pretend,” and “Electric Feel.” Whether they enjoyed it or not, MGMT became a commercial act with a commercial audience and as a result, some folks weren’t too pleased with their sophomore LP.
Released in 2010 after hedonistic studio time in Malibu, Congratulations expanded on Oracular Spectacular‘s psychedelic moments and polarized audiences with its melodic fussiness. Goldwasser and VanWyngarden were subject to a pretty vicious backlash, and they had a hard time with their newfound position — that of an experimental, psychedelic rock band in a commercial band’s shoes. In a recent interview with Electronic Beats, VanWyngarden opens up about the difficulties in touring Congratulations, saying, “Live it made us feel self-conscious, and we closed up a little.”
Thankfully, MGMT has made no effort to crumble under commercial expectations. Their third record, MGMT, is quite simply the sound of MGMT. If there’s one reason to see the current tour, it’s that the band is more comfortable than ever. Also they have a sweet light show and a freakin’ oversized cowbell on the tour.
MGMT play the Orpheum with support from Kuroma this Wednesday, November 13.