MGMT- Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden

It took an album leak for MGMT’s new album, Congratulations, to surface in all of it’s psychedelic glory. Sort of. While it is certainly devoid of any big hits that were the centerpiece of their first LP, Oracular Spectacular, it shouldn’t be unfamiliar territory to anyone who listened to the second half of that very same album. Also the songs themselves aren’t as far out there as many people are reporting them to be. While they have that 60s/70s psychedelic tint to them, they are in no ways difficult or mind warping and fans of the last album will be pleased with this one. It certainly takes a couple of listens but you’ll find yourself singing along to them in no time. There are a few tracks that you will recognize as familiar ground like “Someone’s Missing” and album title track “Congratulations”. Neither are really synth pop mega hits but follow in the footsteps of songs like “The Youth” and “Weekend Wars”. The rest of the album could be compared to the post “Kids” tracks on Oracular Spectacular but perhaps a bit more frantic. But don’t take my word for it. Go to MGMT’s website which at least for the time being has the album streaming in it’s entirety. And the album will be officially released April 13th on Columbia Records. And here’s a live rendition of one of my favorite songs on the album:

L to R: Victoria Legrand, Alex Scally

One of the few joys I’ve been able to indulge in during this busy and cold winter is Beach House’s third album, Teen Dream. Beach House is a dream pop duo out of Baltimore with Victoria Legrand on vocals and organ and Alex Scally on guitars and keyboards. Known for their atmospheric rhythms and haunting lyrics, their second LP Devotion is the kind of album I could imagine listening to while curled up next to a fire drinking some hot chocolate. While their first two albums sounded surprisingly mature for a band in their youth, it sometimes felt too icy and melancholic. However, on Teen Dream they decide to expand their sound and liven things up a bit.  They embrace some of the pleasures of pop music, best exemplified on tracks like “Norway” and “Lover of Mine”, the latter being a personal favorite. So here it is. Enjoy.

Delphic

We are barely a week into the new year and the hype machine is already hard at work on a new band at of Manchester called Delphic. There debut LP, Acolyte, is due January 11th. Already critics are dubbing it the, “first great album of 2010″ and praising it as “on kissing terms with magnificence”. Their sound can be compared most easily with the likes of the Klaxons and all things New Order, though I hear I hint of Bloc Party thrown in there. However, don’t instantly write of this band as another indie/dance crossover. They have taken everything that was familiar in the 00′s and made it into something fresh, new and encouraging to start of the new decade .Best album of 2010? With the list of contenders this year maybe not, but best album released this month? Perhaps. Judge for yourselves:

Mr. Casablancas In His Christmas Best

Following the release of his excellent solo album Phrazes for the Young, Strokes singer songwriter Julian Casablancas treated us with probably the only Christmas related song that’s worth a listen this season, a cover of “I Wish it Was Christmas Today”. No, Casablancas isn’t seeking top of the Christmas chart glory like RATM with this rendition of an SNL classic. However, it is more than worth a listen or two, especially for any Casablancas/Strokes fan. But don’t take my word for it, watch as old and new clash to form one hell of a performance Jimmy, Horatio Sanz, Julian Casablancas, and The Roots:

And for all those people who are scrambling for those last minute gifts, look no further than the Flaming Lips for your holiday needs! Imagine the look on your loved one’s face when you present them with their very own Silver Trembling Fetus:

Happy Holidays!

Robin Pecknold

In a recent interview with Pitchfork Fleet Foxes main man Robin Pecknold talked about songwriting, side projects, and working on the new Fleet Foxes album, which he says will be out, “definitely 2010″.  This will be their second LP after their self titled debut and the Sun Giant EP, both which garnered them (well earned) universal critical acclaim. Pecknold also discussed his solo project White Antelope although he says it would be something he would record for fun, “I don’t think the world needs another trad-folk record”…or does it?

Embryonic

Possibly one of the most easily accessible song on new Flaming Lips album where they have otherwise have taken a (re)turn to the more experimental side of their sound. The track opens with a driving drum beat with a fuzzy bass line to accoompany it and super high pitch backing vocals, courtesy of Steven Drozd. Wayne Coyne sings about a girl who, “keeps feeling for the blindfold/she keeps wishing for the secret society”. The driving beat continues until all the mounting tension is released with a dream like chorus of “She forgets about the fear/When she’s high/When she’s high”.

It all sounds very reminiscent of Pink Floyd…who’s album Dark Side of the Moon is being covered by…you guessed it.