MGMT

How did I miss this one?

The best thing about music in 2008 was the ridiculous influx of debut records. Bon Iver and Fleet Foxes were two of the best I've heard this decade. Now throw in Hercules And Love Affair, Vampire Weekend, She & Him, Santogold, One Day As A Lion, and now MGMT. Most years you would be lucky to get two memorable debuts.

MGMT's Oracular Spectacular is the sound of experienced live musicians shooting for the moon their first time in the studio. Dave Fridmann (of Flaming Lips fame) makes his presence known as a producer: the entire record has a airy psychedelic feeling to it, even when there are mimicking deep funk from a Prince record. His production is what holds the ideas here together, whether its the grinding anthem rock of "Time To Pretend" or the dance-beat of "Electric Feel" (two of the catchiest songs you will hear in 08). They also venture into folk territory with "Weekend Wars" and "Pieces Of What", both of which could be an outtake from the Soft Bulletin.

The vocals on this album sound like Jack White with more echo, so this album might have died with lesser production. Fortunately, their ironic lyrics and stadium ready choruses get a quality recording job the first time out, so I can actually see this band taking off. Good for them - anything that draws equally from Prince and the Flaming Lips is something this world needs more of.