Oracular Spectacular
by MGMT
  • Record Label: Sony
  • Release Date: Jan 22, 2008
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 266 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 247 out of 266
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 266
  3. Negative: 4 out of 266

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  1. trxstxssx
    Mar 9, 2021
    9
    MGMT captured pop rock in a way that shaped pop music forever. They dominated pop charts with an album that is mainly psychedelic and experimental. Apart from the massive singles that it spawned, the album includes softer and more symbolic songs like Weekend Wars and The Youth. Andrew van Wyngarden solidified himself as a singer-songwriter worth looking out for.
  2. SLAY3R1
    Feb 14, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. A true electro pop masterpiece that doesn't come around very often, each piece of the album ties in to the danceable edm esq vibe!!… Expand
  3. EmilKern
    Feb 1, 2020
    10
    This album perfectly encapsulates the feeling of late youth/early adulthood, when youre about to finish college and dont know where life will take you. MGMT really profited from the help of a professional mixing/mastering on their already genius songs. The songs are mostly about interesting concepts and there are a lot of lyrical gems in here despite it being a "psychedelic" experience. AThis album perfectly encapsulates the feeling of late youth/early adulthood, when youre about to finish college and dont know where life will take you. MGMT really profited from the help of a professional mixing/mastering on their already genius songs. The songs are mostly about interesting concepts and there are a lot of lyrical gems in here despite it being a "psychedelic" experience. A great listen when you take a walk at night or are on a long drive home. I also love the weird tribal theme that is like a common thread in mos of the songs. All in all a great influential record and a must-listen!… Expand
  4. deadbank
    Mar 16, 2019
    9
    Favorites: Time to Pretend, Weekend Wars, The Youth, Electric Feel, Kids, 4th Dimensional Transition, Pieces of What, The Handshake
  5. SSAT_Gaming
    Apr 3, 2018
    7
    what keeps this album from getting a higher grade is the signing. on some tracks like of moon birds and monsters, it beautiful. but then songs like pieces of what, it's border line unlistenable.
  6. MoralSupport
    Sep 10, 2017
    8
    All along the western front, people line up to receive this masterpiece of an album. The first 5 songs of the album in particular are phenomenal. Hands down one of the best albums released in 2008.
  7. DannyMDB1
    Jun 10, 2016
    8
    There might be a slight sense of pretentiousness in MGMT's "Oracular Spectacular" but the creative synthesizer sound in songs like "Time to Pretend" and "Kids" and the unorthodox structural production draws your attention by constantly surprising you.
  8. MCRR
    Mar 27, 2015
    8
    Youthful, energetic, uplifting and vibrant. This album was a breath of fresh air, MGMT creating a distinct sound of their own and littered with a number of 'spaced-out' tracks. Listening gives one the feeling of buoyancy in a world full of stifling gravity. A positive celebration of music that many will attempt to copy.
  9. alecvl08
    Oct 13, 2014
    8
    This album is pretty genius. The theme of youth and growing up conveyed by the lyrics is thoughtful and interesting. The first few tracks give us a few pop singles, introducing the concepts that the closing tracks capitalize on. The last two tracks give me chills every time. However, a few tracks get hard to listen to, such as The Youth and 4th Dimensional Transition. It's greatThis album is pretty genius. The theme of youth and growing up conveyed by the lyrics is thoughtful and interesting. The first few tracks give us a few pop singles, introducing the concepts that the closing tracks capitalize on. The last two tracks give me chills every time. However, a few tracks get hard to listen to, such as The Youth and 4th Dimensional Transition. It's great nonetheless. Favorite track: Of Moons, Birds & Monsters… Expand
  10. ELFLACO
    Jul 22, 2014
    10
    MGMT are great. Andrew and Benjamin are incredible and so genius. This album is revolutionary and perfect. Fantastic sounds convey in everybody deep and mystic emotions. MGMT one of the 100 best music artists of the last 50 years. Very very very good album!
  11. usherd369
    Feb 26, 2014
    8
    The explosion generated from this release seems to have always been there in the present day of indie synth-pop. But it seemingly changed the way people perceive compositions. Beyond the immaculate singles, The Youth and Pieces of What stand as grand gestures of - yes - original statements to the masses. It created a following of cosmic hedonists, even if that was never their intentions.
  12. 8bitParadox
    Feb 20, 2014
    9
    This is MGMT's best album by far. Each song is fantastically crafted so perfectly to take you on a magical, psychedelic roller coaster. They master every little thing on this album to create something spectacular that hasn't been created just as well on their other albums after. This is one of, if not my favorite album of let alone 2008, the past couple of years entirely when referring toThis is MGMT's best album by far. Each song is fantastically crafted so perfectly to take you on a magical, psychedelic roller coaster. They master every little thing on this album to create something spectacular that hasn't been created just as well on their other albums after. This is one of, if not my favorite album of let alone 2008, the past couple of years entirely when referring to psychedelic, indie rock.… Expand
  13. Telerama
    Feb 3, 2014
    9
    MGMT makes a breathtaking alternating between psychedelic music from the 60's, rock from the 70's and contemporary electropop. At the beginning, "Time to pretend", prodigious single, sets the bar high; but "Week-end Wars", the second track, intrigues almost as much. And MGMT, over the tracks, surprises and amazes without ever losing us.
  14. Malevolent
    Jun 1, 2013
    10
    This album is great. There are a lot of great songs on this album such as Of Moons, Birds and Monsters, The Youth, Weekend Wars and much more. I guess the only song I don't like on this album is Time to Pretend, but everything else is great.
  15. yrcrazy
    Mar 5, 2012
    10
    An incredible psychedelic experience that will hopefully in future be seen as a classic , as it brought beauty to a dull market and has helped inspire many other artists.
  16. Ricko
    Feb 24, 2012
    8
    Hard to describe the style of this record - I suppose I'd class it as an indie pop dance record. Time to Pretend and Kids were massive singles off this and really propelled MGMT into the mainstream. Although those are the stand out tracks, the album has plenty more to offer in addition. At 10 tracks it's close to the ideal length. The first half of the record is definitely the strongerHard to describe the style of this record - I suppose I'd class it as an indie pop dance record. Time to Pretend and Kids were massive singles off this and really propelled MGMT into the mainstream. Although those are the stand out tracks, the album has plenty more to offer in addition. At 10 tracks it's close to the ideal length. The first half of the record is definitely the stronger side, and the songs that come along later in the album drop in quality a little bit. The best thing for me about this album is that it's got plenty of experimental stuff on it but at the same time pop music is never too far away and the music is always very accessible.… Expand
  17. sepanda
    Dec 24, 2011
    8
    Although not as technical as Congratulations, Oracular Spectacular serves as the bands more fun and easy-to-get-into LP. Other than the two famous electro-pop hits "kids" and "electric feel", the band creates a synthetic psychedelic sound which hasn't been heard since the 1960's. MGMT truly are the rockstars of this generation.
  18. j30
    Aug 15, 2011
    9
    Great pop rock album. The opening track is a knock-out. "Time To Pretend" is dark, catchy, and just plain awesome. The rest of the album you're trying to figure out what just hit you.
  19. GriffinDM
    Aug 7, 2011
    9
    This was a great album! A great debut by this group. They represented many genres through their music on this album and that is what I liked about it. It can appeal to people on every level. There is Kids, a radio hit (at least here in PDX), Electric Feel (electronic), Weekend Wars (alternative), and Of Moons, Birds & Monsters (rock). This album can appeal to many types of musicThis was a great album! A great debut by this group. They represented many genres through their music on this album and that is what I liked about it. It can appeal to people on every level. There is Kids, a radio hit (at least here in PDX), Electric Feel (electronic), Weekend Wars (alternative), and Of Moons, Birds & Monsters (rock). This album can appeal to many types of music lovers, especially me.

    FAV TRACKS: Kids, Electric Feel, The Youth    … Expand
  20. TheCrazyCanuck
    Jul 28, 2011
    10
    Oracular Spectacular is a spectacular album. Sure, the first 5 songs may be hard to live up to, but if you listen to the last few tracks with an open mind and heart then you should see that they hold up well on their own. However if you are just looking for the best of MGMT then look no further than the first five songs.
  21. Kupohunter
    May 23, 2011
    10
    One of the best albums of the decade. Its the lyrics. The catchiness. It is just more than an album filled with one dimensional singles. Even those singles have depth.
  22. Vampire25
    Dec 30, 2010
    8
    A wonderful psychedelic debut album. Listening to this album is like an acid trip, and that's a great thing. Each song sounds like a single. Who doesn't love the song "Kids"? All In All, A great debut album. B+
  23. Overchure
    Nov 1, 2010
    10
    MGMT is different. They make me think psychedelic rock, but they use synths to seal the deal. This is hip. This is in. It's memorable and has me on the edge of my seat. Can't wait.
  24. Treima
    Sep 23, 2010
    9
    MGMT's perfectly-executed blend of indie and electronica hits soulful, inspiring, melancholy, and powerful notes from start to finish. One of the truly amazing albums of 2008.
  25. MichaelH
    Aug 19, 2009
    10
    Aside from Andrew VanWyngarden's beautiful and unique voice, the music of MGMT is unlike anything before it. So much melody and power pop sounds combined to make an amazing piece of art and music that is Oracular Spectacular. The album continues to thrive which each new song and there isn't one track that leaves you unsatisfied, a piece of music genius.
  26. KyleT
    Jul 31, 2009
    9
    i would give this a 10 but it doesn't have the videos in it. This band is so funky and visionary it is so funny. They make me laughwhile listening to the songs. KIDS Time to Pretend Electric Feel are great and so is everything else. Just watch the video for KIDs you will be mesmerized.
  27. tim
    May 11, 2009
    10
    Best cd of the year blend of all the great sounds of rock.
  28. jasonq
    Apr 6, 2009
    10
    best album ive heard in a while. although people may say its front-loaded, there are plenty of beautiful tracks if u just really listen to them all with an open mind.
  29. ClifC
    Mar 14, 2009
    8
    Every song is great or amazing or very good, etc. Buuut... listening to the whole album is a bit hard sometimes. That's why I can't give this album more than 8. Standout tracks: "Time to Pretend", "Weekend Wars", "Kids" and "The Handshake".
  30. IrinaP
    Mar 2, 2009
    8
    The album is amazing, but I must say that there is too much electric feel, that I actually do not like
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Awards & Rankings

27
#27 Most Discussed Album of 2008
22
#22 Most Shared Album of 2008

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. Alternative Press
    90
    Oracular may be a complex effort, but the verdict is simple--it's brilliant. [Feb 2008, p.115]
  2. Under The Radar
    80
    Though the record is slightly front-loaded, there's nary a dud to be found here. [Winter 2008, p.86]
  3. Tiny Mix Tapes
    60
    While Oracular Spectacular has its sophomoric moments (you’d be wise to avoid the nasal whine of 'Weekend Wars'), a listen to 'Climbing To New Lows'--a catchy demo set from their undergrad days--will make anyone see what attracted the bigwigs at Columbia in the first place.
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