On the way to a Light of Truth Universal Shrine in middle-of-nowhere Virginia I was listening to MGMT's new album, Oracular Spectacular, watching pine trees and random diners fly by. I stopped to take pictures next to a hollow rooster on a back road and my camera clicked in time with MGMT's psychedelic beats. When I got lost down a dirt road filled with beer cans and misplaced shock cords, my iPod exploded with sound, happy at the prospect of exploring the unusual.
Random? Whenever MGMT appears, life gets a little trippy.
The dynamic duo, Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden, are natives of Brooklyn, N.Y. and formed during their freshman year at Wesleyan University in 2002. Formerly called "The Management," the two kicked off their touring career with of Montreal immediately after they graduated in 2005. Since then, they've signed with Sony/Columbia Records and have been featured in Rolling Stone as one of the "Top 10 Artists to Watch."
Because their album has been available on iTunes since October, I was already semi-acquainted with MGMT and their super original tracks. "Time to Pretend," their hit single on Oracular Spectacular, was free on iTunes a couple weeks ago. Since I downloaded it, I've been unable to listen to anything else. Its vocals and lyrics ("This is our decision / To live fast and die young") dangerously coerce you into feeling that the obligatory is now optional. "Electric Feel" has an edgy disco sound that transforms even the drabbest day into a colorful, sexy (can I say sexy?) afternoon rave.
When I finally bought the album and listened to it, I was neither disappointed nor surprised to find its other songs followed suit. "Weekend Wars" sounds like David Bowie possessed the two artists when they were writing and performing the song, and "The Handshake" sounds like a happier, more drugged-up version of the Cure. Basically, these guys are weird, but in the best way.
If you're still not sure you want to experience the crazy, seductive ride that is MGMT, check out the video for "Electric Feel" -- it embodies the rest of the album and exudes MGMT's subversive style. While "Electric Feel" gyrates in the background, the video displays gaudy patterns, colors and videos. There are flashes of people waltzing, the two artists stabbing each other with spears and shadows of people dancing on the beach with monkeys in the sky.
If weirdness isn't your thing, you might want to avoid the video and MGMT altogether. If your ears are up for a unique, odd-tasting feast, however, this is what you've been looking for.
So there I was, looking at this shrine sculpted in the shape of a lotus, listening to "Time to Pretend." Just two hours ago I had been napping in my room, trying to figure out when I was going to read for class and trying to remember when my math problems were due. Now massive pink lotus petals are all I can see, and the lady in the visitor center reminding me that I should take off my shoes before entering is still fresh in my mind. How did I get here? How did a LOTUS shrine appear in the middle of Virginia? As I stare at the pole of white light in the middle of the shrine, I imagine how awesome it would look if there were flashes of neon patterns inside it and realize that MGMT isn't just playing with my head -- they're inside it.
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