It would be an understatement to say that indie rock is evolving. As the genre's popularity has grown, so has the definition of the genre. On April 30th, UNH students will be able to see one of the bands that is changing the definition of indie rock. That band is MGMT, whose unique sounds will soon take Durham by storm and have those in attendance reminiscing about it years from now, recalling that they were there when MGMT was putting their stamp on rock history.
Contrary to popular belief, the indie rock movement didn't start with recent bands such as Modest Mouse or Death Cab for Cutie. This movement started in the 1960's with legendary bands like The Velvet Underground and The Beach Boys. We are forever in debt to the bands that started indie rock and to those willing to keep the movement going. As bands come and go, our debt grows. These are the bands that are influential to not only who we listen to today, but also to those who we will listen to in the future.
If you take small sound doses from greats like David Bowie and Pink Floyd, mix it with that of the Talking Heads and add some Neil Young, strangeness and ‘electric feel,' you get something that resembles the sound of MGMT. Though too abstract to put a true definition on, MGMT's sound is like nothing we have ever heard before; it's a beautiful mess. The two musically inclined whiz kids from Wesleyan University, Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden, have come a long way musically. Some of their early work doesn't sound much different than a first timer using ‘Garage Band' on a MacBook. Their latest sound rivals anything you've ever heard in terms of musical innovation. Now they are selling out shows and headlining major festivals. This is not a low-key band trying to make a name for itself; this is a fast rising Grammy-nominated group who's potential is exponential. So smile, UNH: you get to see the band Paul McCartney requested as an opening act for his performance at Fenway Park last August.
Their debut album, ‘Oracular Spectacular,' stole our attention from the mainstream and opened our minds to a sound that we really hadn't heard much of before. The band did their best to turn irony into melody. Singles like ‘Time to Pretend,' ‘Kids' and ‘Electric Feel' are crowd pleasers that can provide Facebook status updates but aren't the only songs worth listening to. ‘Weekend Wars' is a pleasant struggle between classic rock and psychedelic funk that can send your mind marching into outer space. ‘The Handshake' has the lyrical power that will make you hurry home to interpret the words yourself. There is a nice break from synth-pop in ‘Of Birds, Moons and Monsters' that sheds light on their rock and roll side, giving birth to great sound with even better flow. It is a nice piece to the puzzle to truly make this a complete album. ‘Pieces of What' has a manipulative sound that attempts to convince us that there is some simplicity jumbled amongst their catchy tunes and bizarre lyrics. But don't be fooled; there is nothing simple about MGMT and the music they create. Simple is for mainstream radio stations and sweet sixteens. Let's step out of the box, even for just one night, and embrace weirdness in the form of sound.
Our ears were supposed to be warped by a different MGMT sound on April 13, when their second album, ‘Congratulations,' was released. Proving a change in the music industry is near, the album was leaked and subsequently released on their website in a non-downloadable form. Though this is yet another example of artists' work being pirated, the sound of ‘Congratulations' does its best to make up for it. Think more Sid Barrett-era Pink Floyd mixed with The Beach Boys and more electric feel. ‘Flash Delirium' screams ‘Weekend Wars' at a familiar listener in the best possible way, with starts and stops of different sounds and movements. This song, and the album as a whole, is not unlike an ocean with waves of sound hitting you at different times and speeds. Listen to ‘Someone's Missing' in its entirety and by the end you will be dancing like you've never danced before. ‘Siberian Breaks' could literally be a short album itself. It wouldn't be shocking if the members of MGMT were listening to ‘Dark Side Of The Moon' while writing this song because the ‘Pink Floyd' sound is more than evident. The title track, ‘Congratulations,' helps us paint the picture of ‘Time To Pretend's' cynical sister. Though seemingly darker, with a side of pessimism, this song kicks away the popular belief of how great it is to be rock stars. This track was MGMT's 18th birthday; they became adults with this masterpiece.
MGMT has enough variety in their music to please basically anybody but the musically simple-minded. Though they are not the band that will have MTV playing their music videos on repeat, they are the band that, at the very least, will take your mind on a roller coaster ride to wherever it is happiest. Oh, and you will dance. Their music will turn you into, to quote a friend, ‘a slave to the groove.' It will soak up your energy from start and wring it out at the end, leaving you in a state of shock and wanting more. This performance will not be for those who long only for radio-friendly songs that everyone knows. This is not a recent Durham guest Snoop Dogg or Akon blasting No. 1 hits that sound no different live than in our local bars. This will be unpredictability in the form of art. A story will be told on stage, left for individual interpretation. Do yourself a favor and get caught in the moment; just don't forget your dancing shoes.
is a member of the 
Be the first to comment on this article!