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. BilliW.
    Feb 1, 2008
    10
    This is the Sargeant Pepper for the New Millennium. A work of youthful genius.
  2. GuillaumePop
    Feb 2, 2008
    10
    This is my 2008 debut album, amazing from the start to the end!
  3. AlZ.
    Apr 4, 2008
    10
    More powerful than Destroyer. Tighter than the Flaming Lips. Less goofy than Junior Senior. Those comparisons are loose at best as this album brings a brand new sound.
  4. KyleA.
    Jul 17, 2008
    10
    While at first this is album is hard to get into (past Time To Pretend) you discover the brilliance of their lyrics and the eloquence of their beats. Look out for "Kids" as the most addicting song.
  5. 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.
  6. ChrisM.
    Mar 19, 2008
    10
    Best pure pop album in a long long time. The difference between them and anyone they may sound like is that they have a lot more melody, raw talent, sly unsmug humor, all around smarts, and are just plain better.
  7. 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.
  8. tim
    May 11, 2009
    10
    Best cd of the year blend of all the great sounds of rock.
  9. GigiM.
    Apr 24, 2008
    10
    This album keeps entertaining, wowing and surprising me. Unpredictable, odd, excellent. One of the year's best.
  10. JJV.
    Dec 13, 2008
    10
    I really don't understand how anyone cannot see the brilliance. The progressions are simply brilliant and are in epic in a way only David Bowie has previously done. Best Band of 2008.
  11. 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.
  12. 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.
  13. 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.
  14. 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.
  15. 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.
  16. 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!
  17. 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
  18. 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
  19. MarkD.
    Apr 2, 2008
    9
    Where the hell did these guys come from? Out of nowhere they produced easily one of my favorite albums of 2008. A strong effort start to finish.
  20. [Anonymous]
    Mar 17, 2008
    9
    Great album, and great live band. Sharpa, I'm sorry buddy but Sleepy California sounds nothing like Time to Pretend. Did you actually listen to the album?
  21. ErikB.
    Mar 20, 2008
    9
    One of the best album's I've heard this year.
  22. JustinK.
    Mar 30, 2008
    9
    Oracular spectacular is one of the must have albums of 2008. With a unique sound best described as space-rock meets disco, MGMT masterfully craft every song on their debut album, with the strong point being the first three tracks. Its only downfall is that it sometimes lacks a persistent flow as an album. And to set the record straight, Time to pretend does not sound that much like Oracular spectacular is one of the must have albums of 2008. With a unique sound best described as space-rock meets disco, MGMT masterfully craft every song on their debut album, with the strong point being the first three tracks. Its only downfall is that it sometimes lacks a persistent flow as an album. And to set the record straight, Time to pretend does not sound that much like HSH's Sleepy California. It sounds as thought the song was a slight influence at best.… Expand
  23. Brittany
    Apr 25, 2008
    9
    i love this album my favorite of the year so far. weekend wars and the youth are great songs!
  24. RobB.
    Jul 5, 2008
    9
    Electric Feel, Kids, Weekend Wars & Time To Pretend are SO good that they score 9 on their own. The rest are less good and that's why its short of the perfect 10.
  25. CristobalG.
    Jul 5, 2008
    9
    On a very first listen, the album may not sound as promising as you could think, but after the second listen and so on, it becomes an incredibly fresh, addictive, fun, clever, shiny and original album. It's like the perfect balance between Indie and Mainstream.
  26. BuckN.
    Jan 29, 2009
    9
    This is one of the best albums i heard in in the past few years. It has good groves and amazing synth. IT has some off tracks but the music still is good.
  27. Steve
    Mar 28, 2008
    9
    Great. It is weird but in a good, different way. Best album I've bought in 2008.
  28. JamesS.
    Apr 11, 2008
    9
    A cracking little album which really captures the zeitgeist...seems to be better with every listen!
  29. MGrizzle
    Apr 10, 2008
    9
    Hot fire, Unlike many other bands before them, they seem to have perfected the whole space pop rock deal. It takes a few listens to really get into the music. Song's like Kids, Time to pretend will grab you and get you hooked. What else would you expect from a Dave Fridmann production. There amazing, Lets not jump to conclusions just yet, lets see what else they pump out before we Hot fire, Unlike many other bands before them, they seem to have perfected the whole space pop rock deal. It takes a few listens to really get into the music. Song's like Kids, Time to pretend will grab you and get you hooked. What else would you expect from a Dave Fridmann production. There amazing, Lets not jump to conclusions just yet, lets see what else they pump out before we hail them as the next great thing...… Expand
  30. TomA.
    May 27, 2008
    9
    A wonderfully uplifting and exciting debut from a band who seem to have appeared from nowhere on a glam-lined cloud. Although slighlty front loaded (enjoyed better on shuffle I would have to say), it is an amazing starting point, with only one or at a push two slow points. It will be very interesting to see where they go from here, and I cant wait to catch them live - what a show it must be!
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Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

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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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