If some band sounded like they are going to be THE band of their times, that was definitely MGMT during their Oracular Spectacular era. The album was brilliant and it spawned few singles that had that something which made them widely popular. But, thing went the other way with their sophomore Congratulations, which showed that MGMT are not interested in pleasing the masses. I personally loved it. Then it come terrible self-titled album and now we have Little Dark Ages, an attempt to restore MGMT fanbase.
What can be said about MGMT 11 years after Oracular Spectacular? Well, the boys are still having fun, they throw a new sound every here and there. They bring sporadic hits but there is also a lot of empty walk. Overall, they are far from what they appeared to be with their debut. Today they sound like a hybrid of Duran Duran and A-ha mixed with Daft Punk from Interstella 555: The 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem, yet they want to appear as cool as Empire Of The Sun. Generally, this amalgam was not a success, but in comparison to album MGMT, everything sounds successful.
The opening She Works Too Much sounds exactly like it came off from the previously mentioned Daft Punk epicness. It will possibly be a fan favorite. First single Little Dark Ages resembles early Depeche Mode, while When You Die sounds like Empire Of The Sun performing some track from Congratulations.
The first section of the album is the most dynamic, and as the album moves forward, we get overwhelmed with monotonous tunes that can easily make you fall asleep. I am sad to conclude this, but Little Dark Ages has proven that my romantic relationship with MGMT is terminated. They are just another 80s throwback trying too hard to sound hip.
