Forgive me: Like its scratch-off packaging, “Flash Delirium,” reveals more layers once you start picking at it. Congratulations‘ 4 minute and 16 second flagship post-Oracular Spectacular pop single (why not four more seconds, guys?) tosses up shiny slice-and-dice psychedelia that appears random at first and second passes, but does start making compositional sense, especially after the welcome signs go up and cameras go off in this video directed by Swedish Fever Ray/Knife associate Andreas Nilsson. Now we just need to figure out how the singing tracheotomy and Naked Lunch-ing fit with Congratulations‘ arc.
Congratulations is out 4/13 via Sony/Columbia. Stream it here, and tune in to their Saturday Night Live debut 4/24.
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This is unrelated, but what’s up with stereogum not saying anything about Dr. Dog’s album ‘Shame, Shame’ streaming at NPR??? They’re cool, aren’t they?
I second that. More love for Dr. Dog! One of the best albums of the year so far.
The new Dr. Dog is streaming at NPR you guys!
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=125140661
Stay on topic, Skeletor!
the new dr. dog is amazing! one of the best things i’ve heard in a while.
At first I was like, “Meh” but then I was all, “YES.”
This whole thing feels very Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Sweet Jesus. I thought I was the only one to feel the Rocky Horror vibes!
I kinda hate this song.
Better version in 1080p here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvSMp7T2Kes
I clicked on that and got Biebered, but there’s no commercial in the embed so replaced!
Thanks.
Someone is giving MGMT the really good drugs…
The song reminds me a bit of the theme song from a show I used to watch as a kid, but can’t remember the name. Argh!
@d33r – The tv theme song you are thinking of is “Soap” (Billy Crystal as the first gay character on tv….)
I love it. The video for this song had to be mental, and look, it is!
I really really dig this tune. I am surprised so many people hate it
this song really sucks.
I agree.
The whole album is amazing. They really surprised me. Love the video, especially the G-Ma and her flute.
Love it! This video made me realize that I really do like the album.
that was pretty awesome
the neck-mouth image is right out of charles burns’ black hole (minus the oblong fish creature that comes out)
that was mind blowing..nuf’ said
The music. The Video. Everything about this is trying too hard. Someday, not long from now, this video and this sound will be as dated as “Total Eclipse of the Heart” and videos filled with fog machines and neon lights everwhere are now.
Uhmm, “Total Eclipse of the Heart” is amazing. This video is also amazing. Sort of blew me out of the wa wa.
To me, the video (especially the puppet sequence) was a big sign to not take any of this too seriously. The video opened me up to the song more. It’s growing.
I love this song. And it took me a minute to realize it…which I appreciate greatly, actually. MGMT man, biggest band in our generation.
so two things. Is that Hilary Clinton?
Also what i got from the middle is that you can take electric feel and stick it up your ass? is that right?
wow. thats actually exactly what theyre saying, what a great ‘fuck you’
This video is disturbing – it literally made me cringe at parts. Yet, I love it. Why do we, as humans, take pleasure in watching such disturbing things?
[slow clap]
we need more upvotes!! and Stereogum needs more gifs STAT!
You are correct. This has Naked Lunch written all over it.
As for the “electric eel right up your ass theory,” it seems totally possible, and I really hope thats what they meant.
Director: Then the dude takes the electric eel and shoves it up the anus-like orifice of the machine
MGMT: LOL! Approved.
I would like it so much more if not for the flute solo.
I would like it much less if not for the flute solo.
I think the electric eel theory is pretty plausible given that Goldwasser is the one that sang Electric Feel. He’s quiet for the whole video, stands up and sings in the same type of falsetto that he sang on Electric Feel, and then they rip an electric eel out of his throat.
I think the whole trach-hole bit is meant to show that it’s “not really his voice” both literally and figuratively. He sings in a “false”-etto and songs like Electric Feel were, allegedly, more of a pop-joke than what they were seriously interested in playing.
I think Van Wyngarden’s reaction to it is telling. He tries to stop Goldwasser from feeling his throat in the car and then shakes his head in shame when he starts singing. It’s like he’s trying to hide Goldwasser’s “condition”… aka, his ability to sing a pop song that’s going to appeal to people, because he knows now that people will just take the song from him and turn it into something it wasn’t intended to be.
This video, like all things MGMT, should not be taken too seriously. And i have to say i loved the video, enough to make me like the song and give this boring 2nd album another chance. Still, so far this has been one of those bands who’s only songs i really like are their singles, hate that.