Should I Listen?

Jonsi Covers MGMT’s “Time To Pretend”

Amy Rose Spiegel :: Wednesday, March 24th, 2010 5:00 pm

Here is a beautiful cover of MGMT’s “Time To Pretend” by Jonsi, lead singer of Sigur Ros and amazing artist in his own right.  It’s replete with gorgeous piano and the most endearing accent this side of Iceland.

Check out our recent exclusive video interview with Jonsi here.

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News

Stream MGMT’s New Album For Free

Adam Kearney :: Monday, March 22nd, 2010 4:45 pm

MGMT’s latest full length record Congratulations, scheduled to be released on April 13, has leaked over the Internet, so the band decided to offer the entire album for free, streaming at high quality from their website. They want their fans to listen to the mastered versions first, in a move they said “didn’t make sense to anyone but us.” How cool is that? (I’m looking at you, Sony.) Still as melodic, bouncy, twee, and rebellious as ever, you have to give them some digital dap for the whole project- or a “terrorist fist jab,” as the square media so sensationally put it.

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Bands

MGMT Dedicate Gig To Alex Chilton

Colm McAuliffe :: Friday, March 19th, 2010 1:54 pm

MGMT’s comeback gig at London’s Heaven venue last night was dedicated to the late Big Star frontman Alex Chilton who died this week at the age of 59.  Towards the climax of the comeback show, which saw the band preview tracks from their second album Congratulations, singer Andrew VanWyngarden paid tribute to the songwriter and frontman before embarking on new track “It’s Working”. Tributes have been coming thick and fast for Chilton, whom apparently was cutting his lawn when he suddenly collapsed and died. MORE »

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Music Videos

Music Video: Devendra Banhart “Baby”

Nick Nicoludis :: Tuesday, March 16th, 2010 4:40 pm

Looking more like Guy Fawkes, Devendra Banhart’s new video for his peppy love song “Baby” is a sort of mystery. The song is lighthearted and happy, melding complex vocal harmonies and trotting guitar arpeggios that aren’t found in many of his world-weary folk numbers. This video however is an enigma; featuring Fabrizio Moretti of the Strokes, the GZA and Andrew VanWyngarden of MGMT. The group happily stroll together down sunny streets, until some giant cigarette filter looking thing comes and sweeps them up. At this point, I couldn’t really figure out what the hell was going on, and I was even more confused when the cylinder container entered some kind of butt-hole looking thing. I mean, maybe I’m imagining it but I think that is what it looks like. Guess who is the king of the butt-hole/mysterious orifice creatures: GZA. The song is great, and I could see myself listening to it a lot, but what the hell is going on with this video? Watch it after the jump and relay your thoughts on the mysterious orifice. MORE »

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Today In Music

Today in Music

Shannon Hassett :: Thursday, March 11th, 2010 5:45 pm

Barbershop Punk is premiering at SXSW and looks like the coolest documentary ever.

Frightened Rabbit got mad at Pitchfork, and so have a lot of other bands, apparently.

Band of Horses is touring with Pearl Jam. Huh?

Kid Cudi, MGMT and Ratatat made a second video for “Pursuit of Happiness.”

Not music, but easily the best thing I’ve read all week. Long live NPR.

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Today In Music

Today in Music

Shannon Hassett :: Wednesday, March 10th, 2010 5:45 pm

A reunited Faith No More will play the first concert in the Williamsburg waterfront summer series.

Will Sheff of Okkervil River interviews Roky Erickson about the pair’s forthcoming album.

Sunny Day Real Estate will record a new album in May. (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

A free download of the new MGMT single “Flash Delirium” is now available.

A Russian metal band captures its love for Gorbachev (and twinkies).

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Today In Music

Colm McAuliffe :: Thursday, March 4th, 2010 3:30 pm

I’m The Ham Who Loves You: You can now eat Wilco sandwiches

Portishead and Goldfrapp come together for Joan Of Arc soundtrack

MGMT are asking fans to locate them

Devendra Banhart announces tour dates

Keith Richards denies that he is sober

The legendary Pere Ubu bring “Pere Ubu - The Spectacle” to Le Poisson Rouge

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art

MGMT Unveil Album Cover for Congratulations

Amy Laviero :: Wednesday, February 17th, 2010 5:10 pm

Last week we posted the track listing for MGMT’s upcoming album, Congratulations, and today we give you the spectacular album cover which was unveiled earlier today.

The duo commissioned artist Anthony Ausgang, who is known for his “lowbrow” artwork depicting cartoon characters. They gave him a short description of what they were looking for, but left it up to him to create the piece. Some blogs are referring to it as the worst album cover they’ve ever seen, but I kind of love it.

Thoughts?

Boingboing recently conducted an interview with Ausgang where he addresses his thoughts on Lowbrow and Pop Surrealism art, and explains how he met up with MGMT. MORE »

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News

2010 Sasquatch! Music Festival Lineup Announced

Adam Kearney :: Tuesday, February 16th, 2010 1:00 pm

The Sasquatch! Music Festival was founded by Adam Zacks in 2002 to celebrate the eclectic musical tastes of the Pacific Northwest. He personally curates the performers for the event, which takes place at The Gorge, a concert arena built into the Columbia River Valley, with views of the river canyon in Quincy, Washington.  “It’s our goal each year to present a fresh lineup that reflects the independent spirit of the Pacific Northwest, respects the artists and audience, and celebrates the grandeur of The Gorge.” MORE »

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Fashion Police Arrest MGMT

Shannon Hassett :: Thursday, February 4th, 2010 4:40 pm

How’s this for irritating: Joan Rivers chastising MGMT’s wardrobe at the Grammy Awards. Opinions on talent aside, there’s only so much pick-on-the-little-guy a person can take, and that’s where I draw my line. Rivers is a nutcase, but she knows that, and I have always withheld from criticizing her on those grounds; the woman built her career around being a bitch, and in Hollywood, that’s good enough to earn you some credit. I’m not quite sure why E! deemed the Grammys worthy of an episode of its Fashion Police (Joan Rivers, Giuliana Rancic, Jay Emanuel and Khloe Kardashian), usually reserved for red carpet titans like the Oscars and Golden Globes, but I don’t think anyone could have expected the results to be pretty. MORE »

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Bands

Newest Fad in Band Names: Rainbows

Nick Nicoludis :: Thursday, January 28th, 2010 5:00 pm

It is always interesting when new trends in band names arise. We can all remember the ‘bear’ trend (see: Panda Bear, Grizzly Bear, Bear Hands). There was also the ‘black’ trend with acts like The Black Kids, Black Keys, Black Lips, and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. Also, how could we forget the ‘zany spelling’ trend that encompasses acts like Wavves, Lovvers and MGMT.  Now we are in the dawning of a new era in band name fads but, this time it is something a little different: rainbows. MORE »

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