OVERRATED
Despite the rivers of ink that have been and will be spilled about it, I just can't get close to "Congratulations," the sophomore release from indie darlings MGMT. Their "Oracular Spectacular" in '07 was hookier than an obsessive angler's tacklebox. Points to the duo for not going super-commercial on the new CD, but spanks to them for seeming to try too hard to go the other way. Result: a mostly forgettable, overcrowded, deliberately obscure collection that's harder to grasp than an electric eel.
UNDERRATED
Death, as a subject matter: morbid and depressing, right? Not to the smarty-pants editors and writers at the Webby-winning site obit (obit-mag.com). Here, good writers weigh in not just on people who've died, but ideas, trends and situations that have passed over the great divide. In addition to such perky features as "Mourning Roundup" and "Died on the Same Day," the site offers rewarding, in-depth stories, essays, blogs, links, advice and critiques. All that, plus "Famous Last Words" T-shirts.
CLAUDE PECK
