Oracular Spectacular
by MGMT
  • Record Label: Sony
  • Release Date: Jan 22, 2008
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. cokemachineglow
    45
    It is logically a bloated, uncomfortable, saturated throwback to no genre, time period, or movement in particular.
  2. Dot Music
    60
    It's almost like neither [Dave Fridmann] nor the band could decide whether they were making an electronic or rock record and in dithering between the two settled on the awkward, frustrating middle ground.
  3. PopMatters
    50
    The individual songs may be big, but the road they travel is a narrow and short one.
  5. 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.
  6. Urb
    60
    Opener 'Time to Pretend' exemplifies this best, as the synths provide quirky cartoonish bounces to tales of fancy car whipping and coke snorting pipe-dreams. However, the record grows sluggish at certain points, particularly when they try to get super sentimental on that ass.

Awards & Rankings

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

User Reviews

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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
  1. BilliW.
    Feb 1, 2008
    10
    This is the Sargeant Pepper for the New Millennium. A work of youthful genius.
  2. DolanM.
    Mar 3, 2008
    8
    Re: Sharpa That's a stretch. The only similarities those songs show are the use of synth and the tone of voice, and if we're going Re: Sharpa That's a stretch. The only similarities those songs show are the use of synth and the tone of voice, and if we're going to argue about tone of voice, then HSH stole it from Jason Lytle of Grandaddy, who got it from someone else, etc.… Full Review »
  3. DMcGinty
    Feb 25, 2008
    8
    The first five songs are amazing, the rest has its moments. Not many bands can have songs titled "The Youth" and "Kids" two tracks apart The first five songs are amazing, the rest has its moments. Not many bands can have songs titled "The Youth" and "Kids" two tracks apart without getting cocky.… Full Review »
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