Who are they? A hippie-disco-trance-rock duo formed by Wesleyan University classmates Andrew Vanwyngarden and Ben Goldwasser. Over the past year and a half, they moved to Brooklyn, N.Y., changed their name from the Management (it's still pronounced that way) and signed to Columbia Records, which issued their debut album "Oracular Spectacular" last week.
Why the buzz? The disc was worked on by Flaming Lips/Mercury Rev cohort Dave Fridmann, who also just completed the sophomore album by local boys Tapes 'N Tapes. Its whirring, bleep-fueled opening track, "Time to Pretend," has been a hit at iTunes.com and hipster stations such as the Current (89.3 FM) since last fall, when MGMT took its expanded lineup on tour with Of Montreal.
What do we think? "Oracular" suggests MGMT to be a clever and charming psychedelic band, but a pretty mediocre dance act. Kitschy digi-romps such as"Electric Feel" sound like stale Beck. On the other hand, the Donovan-meets-Supergrass bouncer "Weekend Wars," the Syd Barrett-ish "Pieces of What" and, of course, the hit single could be quite delightful trips in concert.
When's the gig? 9 p.m. Thu., 7th Street Entry. Sold out.
