When you self-sabotage your own success

Watch my 'Siberian Breaks' break down on Nebula: nebula.tv/videos/middle8-brea...
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Let's explore the misunderstood masterpiece that is MGMT's sophomore record, "Congratulations". A bold move from the duo, they stayed true to their progressive-rock roots and produced an experimental album with haunting sounds, upbeat tunes, and thought-provoking lyrics. From the warning about drug usage in "It's Working" to societal disillusionment in "Flash Delirium" and the complexity of life in "Siberian Breaks", dive into MGMT's true musical identity.
Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction
1:06 Who is MGMT?
1:36 Part One: Time to Pretend
3:03 Part Two: The Second Trip
8:24 Part Three: It's Working (But Not For Me)
11:19 Conclusion
#Middle8 #MGMT #congratulations #videoessay
Did MGMT Sabotage Their Own Success?
Did MGMT purposely self-sabotage their own success?
When MGMT self-sabotaged their own success
How MGMT Stuck to Their Progressive-Rock Roots Despite Pressure from the Music Industry

[@AndyZaturno]

Oracular Spectacular is one of the most important albums in recent years. A groundbreaking debut that remains relevant even today.

[@sittingcow]

"recent"? lol you're old

[@oliviabb73849]

They didn’t sabotage their own success. They honored what MGMT meant and that IS their ultimate success. ❤

[@conceptualmessiah01]

Do drugs.

[@pineyair6796]

LOL or they were able to score a big record deal from a Major with a big advance and didn't need to do much after that....

[@derrikferguson3219]

Yeah right.

[@allaccordingtoplan5560]

No

[@VVVY777]

@@pineyair6796 So they got their money and did whatever the F they wanted. If that doesn't mean success to you, you're mindless a sheep that think doing what others think you're supposed to is the meaning of your existence.

[@ickybobclay26]

I just love how MGMT and Ratatat worked together on one song and it was such a mega hit. Then they never worked together again

[@RicardoMayo_]

lmao so true.

[@trashyraccoon2615]

Ever heard the Justice remix of Electric Feel?

[@vexehedrim7910]

Which song is that?

[@robertomisaelrivas5788]

Pursuit of happines right?

[@blakebudos7022]

Hate to break it to you, MGMT recorded like 1 line for the chorus, meaning they probably only met Kid Cudi for the recording. Time is pretty precious for musicians, that stuff is one and done too often it seems. I don't think MGMT did much interacting with Ratatat in the flesh before that songs release though.

[@ariwilsun]

Being true to yourself is an incredibly brave act, which is what these gentlemen decided to do. I think that’s awesome. Good for them.

[@johnviera3884]

It’s selfish and dumb. You always regret it when you’re older.

[@Howl-Runner]

​​@@johnviera3884 speak for yourself, I no longer have to work, I stayed true to my goals, ethics, and ideology. I could have sold out or compromised, and had more. I didn't I have exactly what I want and need.

[@johnviera3884]

@@Howl-Runner cute

[@johnd3124]

its all about balance, if you can mix innovation with with widespread appeal, thats genius .. like Kendrick Lamar's Damn or DJ Shadow's Endtroducing & Private Press .. pushing popular music forward

[@johnviera3884]

@@johnd3124 when The Unicorn visits your studio, hold on with both hands

[@mikealias5494]

Their second album was amazing. They didn’t sabotage themselves, they just didn’t sell out and grew as artists.

[@kalvinkalvarino9536]

Duuuuurrrrr…let’s not sell out and just stop making good music. That second album was a dud. They have no idea that their so called sell out hits were very original and musically progressive and down right cathartic. So what if they had mass appeal? It was good. Really good. They couldn’t see that. They were victims of being very young and native. They immediately started rebelling against their own success because they had no idea how to handle it. They could have ditched the big studios if they didn’t want to sell out and could have kept making good music. Pop artists today have very little talent and you could have set a high standard with pop if you would have been ok with pumping out a few pop hits once in a while and put all your weird avant- garde shit on the b sides. Pop today is soulless, talentless and empty. And poplar music doesn’t have to suck. Their last album was their best in a while though. They may like neo alt psychedelic, but they’re not very good at it. What they are very good is ALT pop though, and they trashed it. Lol

[@RusticRonnie]

⁠@@kalvinkalvarino9536the second album was what the band was it is good music it’s just not made for normies. Additionally they could come back if they wanted

[@RK79KR]

Congratulations is their best record

[@heydun]

@@kalvinkalvarino9536 saying congratulations is a dud is a WILD take. Top 50 album of the 2010's easily.

[@jello4479]

you have got to stop listening to music. it's not for you.@@kalvinkalvarino9536

[@seanbs]

It's a shame that MGMT feels embarrassed about writing pop songs because they were so fucking good at it. You can be cool and like pop music, too.

[@witchyxx]

you only need to write one good one and they did lol

[@gilly_axolotl]

Fr

[@pepperpattynaise]

They dont agree with you, they think pop is mediocre and thats kind of it.

[@TangibleAndroid]

Don't necessarily think your last sentence is true but it's all good

[@Rich_P_Anya]

I don't think you understand what they're getting at

[@ian_does_things6586]

Could you please do a video on OK Go and the paradox they live in of being more known for their music videos rather than their music?

[@Middle8]

I like this

[@isildursbane6443]

Thats not a paradox

[@ian_does_things6586]

@@isildursbane6443 I know but I couldn’t think of the right word in the moment. It’s too late now.

[@aiyohhhh]

@@ian_does_things6586 trying to figure out what the word should be... Dichotomy?

[@ian_does_things6586]

@@aiyohhhh Hmmm, I don't think so. It's not that sharp of a divide. I think it's irony. It is ironic that a music band is known moreso for nearly everything other than their music.

[@JonSudano]

Honestly, they're such a talented group of musicians that they could do literally anything they wanted and still headlined whatever festivals they wanted. Like sure, their first LP was a pop parody, then they came out with a psych rock record, but then they could've said fuck it and did a new-wave record, then a punk record, then another pop record as a return to form, and whatever. People are quick to judge and just look at numbers when they fail to see the forest for the trees.

[@nicktaylor8771]

What is their best album?

[@bootyshortsband]

​@@nicktaylor8771all of them besides the popular one lol

[@prith7900]

@@bootyshortsband they’re all equally good but I love congratulations the most 😮😊

[@thysweetlord]

Small fronds cant see the wood for the trees

[@deafphantom865]

Somebody once told me the world is gonna roll me I ain't the sharpest tool in the shed She was looking kind of dumb with her finger and her thumb In the shape of an "L" on her forehead Well the years start coming and they don't stop coming Fed to the rules and I hit the ground running Didn't make sense not to live for fun Your brain gets smart but your head gets dumb So much to do, so much to see So what's wrong with taking the back streets? You'll never know if you don't go You'll never shine if you don't glow Hey now, you're an all-star, get your game on, go play Hey now, you're a rock star, get the show on, get paid And all that glitters is gold Only shooting stars break the mold It's a cool place and they say it gets colder You're bundled up now, wait 'til you get older But the meteor men beg to differ Judging by the hole in the satellite picture The ice we skate is getting pretty thin The water's getting warm so you might as well swim My world's on fire, how about yours? That's the way I like it and I'll never get bored Hey now, you're an all-star, get your game on, go play Hey now, you're a rock star, get the show on, get paid All that glitters is gold Only shooting stars break the mold Hey now, you're an all-star, get your game on, go play Hey now, you're a rock star, get the show, on get paid And all that glitters is gold Only shooting stars Somebody once asked could I spare some change for gas? I need to get myself away from this place I said, "Yup" what a concept I could use a little fuel myself And we could all use a little change Well, the years start coming and they don't stop coming Fed to the rules and I hit the ground running Didn't make sense not to live for fun Your brain gets smart but your head gets dumb So much to do, so much to see So what's wrong with taking the back streets? You'll never know if you don't go (go!) You'll never shine if you don't glow Hey now, you're an all-star, get your game on, go play Hey now, you're a rock star, get the show on, get paid And all that glitters is gold Only shooting stars break the mold And all that glitters is gold Only shooting stars break the mold

[@Quarksi]

I mean it's fine if MGMT really sticks to pursuing their own art. I prefered the 3 hits they had, but I don't think they owe fans anything. I'll always appreciate the fun I had with their music at that time.

[@beatles42ohgg94]

idky, but i could just smell the irony of their early music without even really listening to it. it was very meta for music around 2007 for the artist to just openly bash its audience. with their average audience being too naive to realize they are a walking talking record buying joke too the people making that pop music. time to listen to graduation day XD

[@Quarksi]

@@beatles42ohgg94 Even back then people had already figured it out, I recall seeing that it was a critique on pop music back then. Thing is it's less that people didn't know and a lot that people genuinely didn't care. It was good, it was fun, and even later became a big meme.

[@beatles42ohgg94]

@@Quarksi no, people just didnt get it. i more or less got expelled from school for "being a school shooter" while trying to explain to people that pumped up kicks was about how the unpopular kid brought a gun to school to shoot the cool kid. its just that nobody knew what pumped up kicks were in that generation. it was the "song of the summer" before people knew what it was about. thats why they sold well, because it was good radio music. the words didnt matter if you could bob your head to it.

[@Quarksi]

@@beatles42ohgg94 ah maybe I'm a little bit older than you, I think I was already in uni for a lot of this so it might explain the difference in our perception of public reception

[@beatles42ohgg94]

@@Quarksi yeah, i can totally understand that. specially that one kanye song. they never played the part at the end of the song that talked about the irony of the song. "drug dealin just to get by, stack yo money till it gets sky highh" the songs about those stereotypes not being real, its calling out gangsta rap, not trying to make it pop.

[@acod822]

the MGMT story is so riveting and a very unique one which has made them even more of my favorite band of all time, congratulations and self titled are so amazing it's unreal. literally only listened to those two albums for a year and a half it was so game changing

[@conceptualmessiah01]

Do drugs.

[@cannanmusic763]

My two favorite albums of all time ❤

[@hippiecheezburger5457]

The self titled is actually a really good album, the amount of technical effort on that album is unbelievable especially on the back half of the album

[@jdnart]

​@@hippiecheezburger5457 just like twenty one pilots self titled!

[@danielplainview2584]

I like all their albums. Little Dark Age is my favorite because of the creativity in production.

[@myopicandlost]

Me and Michael is the fucking jam.

[@devenbs1993]

Yep. Each album is really good. Who gives a fuck about the critical success.

[@jamelbunny5732]

I like the gothy style it sorta has

[@WiloPolis03]

I love OS, Congratulations, and LDA just about equally at this point. Can't really get into their self-titled as much as a lot of hardcore fans can, but that's fine by me, they still have so many freaking bangers

[@SHOUTxHIxHEYxHELLO]

their 3rd album is trash tho

[@mitchlmitten5874]

Congratulations is my all time favorite record. It's exciting, it's perfectly paced, and it beautifully captures the existential dread that comes with being a musician. Siberian Breaks sends chills down my spine to this day.

[@trashyraccoon2615]

It’s amazing how subjective music is. Congratulations is basically unlistenable for me, a giant disappointment after Oracular Spectacular, which is one of the best albums of that decade.

[@Cristalskulle]

Siberian Breaks might be my favourite song ever

[@roboterror6366]

SAME

[@roboterror6366]

@@trashyraccoon2615 there is no way you like oracular and dont like congratulations, i think you are lying somewhere here, you either dont like oracular spetacular outside the synthpop tracks, or you havent listened to anything at all if i put of moons birds and monsters, and the handshake in congratulations, no first listener would notice it was two different albums same if i threw someone's listening and metanoia inside of OS, flash delirium has even a synthpop-ish kids-ish section using THE EXACT SAME BASS, and siberian breaks is obviously made by the same band who made weekend wars and the youth, i am not saying i know for certain that i know you are lying cuz i dont, the universe has crazy people for everything, but i actually think your comment is coming out of someone who did not listen to any of the two albums if congratulations was unlistenable to you, the latter half of OS MUST BE JUST AS, i am sure someone could even mathematically prove that, to imply these two are that different, is like denying the similarity between Kid A and Amnesiac, im not angry i swear, come to think of it, most of my comment its just a lot of little examples, i am very passionate about everything that i decide to type so dont take this as someone just lashing out at someone that they dont agree, its not a matter of agreement, at least not for me, its literally a statement of disbelief, i think you didnt even listened to these both albums fully, and i dont judge you for that, im just saying, i dont believe it.

[@djames2356]

@@roboterror6366 ​ @Trashy Raccoon2 there is every chance you like oracular and dont like congratulations, i think you are telling the truth somewhere here, you either like oracular spetacular outside and inside the synthpop tracks, outside the synthpop tracks, inside the synthpop tracks or you don't or do. sounds like you have listened to it all if i put on moons birds and monsters, and the handshake in congratulations, no first listener would notice it was two different albums because they haven't even heard them before, because that is how people differentiate from albums, by sheer blind guesswork. same if i threw someone's listening and metanoia inside of OS, flash delirium has even a synthpop-ish kids-ish (-ish means absolutely the same) section using THE EXACT SORTA SIMILAR BASS, and siberian breaks is obviously made by the same band who made weekend wars and the youth (I checked the sleeve notes to be sure) i am not saying i know for certain that i know you are lying cuz i dont but I am going to heavily imply it and use this as a get out clause if anyone says otherwise, the universe has crazy people for everything, especially me, but i actually think your comment is coming out of someone who did not listen to any of the two albums because I have to be right. if congratulations was unlistenable to you, the latter half of OS MUST BE JUST AS UNLESS IT FLOWED THROUGH THE WHOLE ALBUM DIFFERENTLY AND USED DIFFERENT THEMES OR YOU EXPERIENCED IT AT A DIFFERENT TIME IN YOUR LIFE OR YOU MAYBE FELT IT WAS TOO SIMILAR OR MANY MANY MANY MANY OTHER REASONS THAT I AM NOT GOING TO ASK YOU FOR , i am sure someone could even mathematically prove that, or I could look at the sheet music, but since this is music and not maths then it would be pointless to imply these two are that different, is like denying the similarity between Kid A and Amnesiac even though these were recorded together at the same time in the same sessions and OS and Congrats weren't, im angry i swear, come to think of it, most of my comment is just a lot of my own thoughts and therefore they have to be yours too, a guilty conscience always speaks and i am very passionate about everything that i decide to type so take this as someone just lashing out at someone that they dont agree, its not a matter of agreement, at least not for me, its literally a statement of disbelief, i think you didnt even listened to these both albums fully even though you said one is album of the decade but obviously an album to you is three songs, and i do judge you for that, im just saying, i dont believe someone could think differently to me

[@JoshHenderson16]

Its a problem that pervades all media. As soon as you make are successful enough to have fans, you are all of a sudden beholden to them for some reason. I can't overstate how much I respect these two for never forgetting why they do what they do, and who they do it for.

[@sunkintree]

And with "fans" like these, who needs haters?

[@Rubberfooted]

Congratulations is a no-skips, 10/10, absolute masterclass of a record and is my second favorite album ever.

[@IIIllIIIIlllIIIlIl]

What is your first favourite album? :)

[@clarencethomas01]

Agreed. Up there with Piper at the gates, Velvet underground and Nico, Origin of symmetry, polygondwanaland. For me at least, I just love concept albums where the entire album delves into a unique sound

[@Filzzy]

I agree! It’s a fantastic album

[@nicholasmontoto9346]

Nothing but facts

[@GlennDavey]

It was good for background-music for dinner parties at the time I remember... can't listen to that stuff anymore

[@sofiipote7]

I remember liking those three first singles, then not being able to get into anything else I listened by them, forgetting about them, and then years later hearing little dark age, being completely blown away by how dark and strong it felt and wondering if it was the same band that had produced those three electric pop hits. Now everything makes more sense.

[@loversspit]

Of Moons, Birds and Monsters is easily my favourite of theirs. terribly unique and telling of how truly hard working these boys are. thank you for this vid!!!

[@aidafuentesv]

It’s my favorite too

[@ThinkAboutElephantss]

I agree, super slept on track.

[@jordandarrow9784]

Yes. That is the song that I discovered them from. My favorite as well. I think it was on Shaun white snowboarding game

[@Max-rn3eb]

nowhere 1997.

[@jacobjaramillo3192]

In my top ten songs of all time for me.

[@tealwave77]

Congratulations was slept on so hard back in the day. Such a timeless record.

[@luigilink7568]

How can anybody hate or feels Congratulations like a deception? One of the best rock psychedelic album and one of my favorites of all time Amazing video, good job

[@Invisibledrone-]

I think at the time it felt like a betrayal. Still not a very good album imo

[@Anthony-kp7sf]

its just not a very good album, unfortunately. i dont think it's a very good psych rock album, i've heard so many better ones. it's kind of janky and quirky and has a lot of cheese in it. its alright. just like amateur use of eastern scales and stuff.

[@word42069]

@@Invisibledrone-Siberian Breaks and Congratulations were and still are amazing tracks… and back in the day I had that one Siberian Breaks remix on a constant loop.

[@mysticfellow9843]

@@Anthony-kp7sf Eastern scales? Maybe you're looking too much into the theory/technicality and not the emotional impact. Either way, I thought it was a really interesting album in terms of its musical aspects, but to each their own.

[@mysticfellow9843]

@@word42069 I think the other songs should get more love too but I agree, those are both great ones.

[@hippiecheezburger5457]

These guys when they do interviews, you can always get the sense of how humble, shy, and artistic they really are. For me it’s always about how they reinvent themselves on each album.

[@markstowe9011]

Little Dark Age is so underrated. Can’t wait for them to tour again.

[@danny7906]

i can safely say that oracular spectacular is my 3rd favorite album behind only MPP and velocity design comfort. it’s just perfect in every sense

[@liamsjamsyt1047]

amazing top 3

[@TheBadBuffalo]

Great picks

[@SimonRistau]

yeah great stuff, haven't listened to any sweet milk yet but planning on because of your other picks, what are your other runner ups?

[@jaredf6205]

Of moons birds and monsters is one of my favorite psychedelic songs of all time.

[@johngerygooz3251]

1. Thank you for showing me velocity : design : comfort., I played a little from it, and it sounds incredible. I'll listen to it someday, for sure. 2. What's MPP stand for?

[@DeSlagen8]

I adore their new album. Such a strange and psychedelic set of tracks.

[@thatonedroid4929]

There's a new album?

[@MrMattaiusify]

I remember when LDA was considered "new" New record happening this year apparently!

[@DeSlagen8]

@@MrMattaiusify Apparently they released an album back in November that I hadn't heard of. Also LDA is new, it released 4 years ago while Oracular, their biggest project before released in 2007, 16 years ago

[@vexehedrim7910]

@@DeSlagen8 4 years old is not new

[@DeSlagen8]

@@vexehedrim7910 It was actually 5 years ago wow, anyway that is new, compared to 16 years ago. I dont know how old you are buy 5 years does not feel long ago

[@vincenzoa2929]

The hooks from their first album were fantastic. I’m all for them being artists but they wrote such great pop songs on their debut and they shouldn’t be ashamed of that.

[@soccermommyNPC]

MGMT was my favorite band in college, and now my son’s favorite song is Little Dark Age, which he discovered on his own because the chorus went viral. It’s impossible to say MGMT didn’t repeat their initial success, it just came at a different time and therefore a different format.

[@colonelgreathed1321]

I never realized they held Siberian Breaks in such high regard. It has been my favorite song from them for so long, but nobody I talk to had ever ever heard of it. I'm glad it gets recognition in this video!

[@thepineyapple]

Brian Eno was actually the song that made me love them

[@colete888]

Congratulations changed my life, literally, it was my gateway to more challenging and experimental music.

[@joaquintuason5695]

No they did not self-sabotage. It looks to me like their true goal was to make music they wanted to make, regardless of how audiences perceived it. They succeeded with flying colors, and I am very proud of them for doing so.

[@mysticfellow9843]

Congratulations blew me away after listening to it, especially after reading all the negative reviews about it. It's such a beautiful, fun, and exploratory album. You never know where it's going to take you and I always hear something new with each listen.

[@davearquette3303]

I'll never forget when MGMT released their second album and my friends that were equally as obsessed with the first album weren't into it like I was.

[@AbsurdoMX]

It’s not self sabotage, it’s called being an artist and following your artistry, having identity and not letting the industry define you. If MGMT had never changed they’re sound, they would have never made little dark age.

[@isaacness2647]

their best album to my ears, it's like a "what if" Brian Wilson and Syd Barret made an album together in the mid 60s

[@WiloPolis03]

Lol Beach Boys + prog is actually really accurate

[@Moleman_G]

Their self titled album is one of my favourites ever. “I love you too, death” I think is an incredibly beautiful song

[@iamthefirsttosecond]

I can listen to congratulations on repeat till the end of time. It’s truly a masterpiece. I fuckin loooooove it

[@TheRealBlueSwan]

Congratulations is their masterpiece. One of my favourite albums of all time.

[@rafaelxxxmadeira]

They already started the band mocking the corporate business naming theirselves MGMT, stayed true to themselves and I bet they are more happy than other artists that are told what to do constantly. And I truly respect them for that.

[@animalvoices2249]

Congratulations is one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever written. My favourite album of all time.

[@Tigerwolf102onYoutube]

Congratulations is easily in my top 5 favorite albums of all time. I’m so glad they decided to stay true to themselves.

[@Hyperiss]

I used to play Siberian Breaks in my partying days. MGMT went well with my hazy youth.

[@catch_2022]

making music for a living is precious. staying true to your own taste and not trying to adapt to the popular demands is even more unique and precious. I not only respect them for that, but also prefer their more psycodelic tracks. Congratulations LP is, in my opinion, their best work.

[@chrisjr1247]

Tripped so good to every record & have been stone cold sober as well to these records throughout the years. They will always hold a special place. Some took longer than others like the self titled but it ages like fine wine!

[@PhoenixRiseinFlame]

“Of Moons, Birds, and Monsters” is the best song on Oracular Spectacular and I can’t be convinced otherwise.

[@reeceparrish]

They will always be my favorite band, everything is so interpretive and complex while being so simple. I can re listen to any song and find something new about it

[@djshu667]

Oracular Spectacular hasn't vanished. It's still there for all of us to enjoy. Also the Justice remix of Electric Feel is an absolute banger.

[@jimm1387]

Congratulations is a masterpiece and easily my favorite album of the decade. I hear so much in it every time I listen. Every song on there is interesting with multiple twists and turns that all work. I'm a fan of jazz and experimental so maybe that all factors in.

[@GazerBeam420]

I love every album they've made, they're getting better. Hearing their opinions on their early music, it's almost like they're too good to appreciate they're own ubiquitously good tunes. They're more at peace when they confuse us.

[@Jay16Mar]

I actually liked "Congratulations" when it came out. I was promoting an MGMT concert at my university when it came out, so I spent a lot of time listening and getting used to the sound.

[@KatieHayez]

MGMT’s music was such a huge part of my high school years. I frequently listened too and loved every song on Oracular Spectacular and Congratulations. Finally got the chance to see them perform in 2018 and it was such an amazing experience. They will always be one of my favorites

[@Ray-lw2rh]

MGMT and Ratatat will always have a special place in my heart. Oracular Spectacular, Congratulations, Classics, LP3 and LP4 are one of my favorite albums of all time. After Discovery and Random Access memories by Daft Punk and Lateralus by Tool.

[@soaribb32]

I thought this was gonna be about Azealia Banks from the title.

[@tenebrousoul9368]

I manage mental illness. "Kids" and the accompanying video are one of those gems that really struck me in a way that I can't quite express. It was deep, it was moving, it cut like a knife. "One man's trash is another man's treasure", I suppose. They may hate it, but I consider it a gift.

[@obviouslyurnotagolfer148]

That second album is one of my favorite album of all time. Siberian Brakes is my favorite MGMT song. An amazing band! 🙌😎🤟

[@fantykarl]

congratulations is such an incredible album. thank you for continuing to make those incredible videos. always making my day!

[@dongately2817]

Oracular Spectacular got me thru a rough patch in my life - I had just started a 3 year prison sentence when I heard them and really didn’t know how I wanted to spend my 3 years - making the best of my time or fucking around with dope, gangs, and bullshit. I heard them on the college radio station and had the CD sent out the next day. Listening to the album it didn’t take me long to realize I didn’t wanna spend the rest of my life in a cell, Thanks MGMT.

[@prestigek1ngs]

Of moons Birds and Monsters, Siberian Breaks are among my fav MGMT songs. Fire.

[@Coaxox]

I'm really happy to see a lot people praising "Congratulations"! It was underappreciated by fans, even nowadays.

[@carebear8316]

Dude, I had no idea but Electric Feel is one of the best songs ever! I bought it off iTunes as soon as I heard it.

[@acartonoj]

I think it helps if the listener is open to evolving artists and sounds. I think that's when they are appreciated

[@thecinematicmind]

I adore the song Congratulations to this day.

[@indiesoku]

Congratulations really did change my life. It was the first time I let an album grow on me. I didn’t like it very much, like most fans who heard it coming after OS, but the more I gave it time, the more the album grew on me. To this day, Siberian Breaks is still one of my favorite songs ever made. I love all their albums greatly but nothing will ever beat Congratulations for me.

[@ceciliam8445]

congratulations is an amazing record and blew my mind when it first came out. still does! I'm always so grateful they follow their own paths and interests. mgmt foreverrrrr

[@Statsy10]

This is reminiscent of Talk Talk, who eschewed their radio-friendly pop roots to go in a more experimental direction. Their later work is absolutely mesmerizing... and completely unplayable on a radio station. It obviously put them at odds with their label who ended up suing them for failing to meet the criteria of creating a marketable album. However, those last few albums remain transcendent and and a true monument to what an artist can do when they free themselves from the shackles of conformity.

[@ian_does_things6586]

Ooh, a companion video / pseudo sequel to the first MGMT vid, nice!

[@franksimpkins4471]

Thanks for this. I am going to dive deeper into this band now. Respect them for trying to stay true to themselves regardless of the labels. I really liked the radio friendly songs like everyone else and picked upon that defiant pop mocking. Good for them.

[@radiojef2]

i just discovered this album and literally spend a full weekend listening to it. i'm obsessed with it.

[@kristinav198]

Such a great video, thank you for this!! grew up loving mgmt sooooo much so it’s nice to see their work being talked about again

[@omnitrix1992]

I haven't listened to any other songs but Kids because the girl I liked in college introduced me to them and said her favorite song ever was Kids. We listened to that song all the time. Everytime I listen to Kids, I think about her.

[@HunterW.Photography]

their self titled is still easily one of my favorite albums, and has my favorite song of all time on it (I Love You Too, Death)

[@thomng3725]

the 2nd album of MGMT was sooo cool, i remember not understanding it when i first listened to it, bu then i couldn't stop playing it again and again

[@jonvia]

MGMT has some amazing tunes. Even if they stopped releasing music after their first hits, thats a HUGE accomplishment in the music biz! What most people dont understand is that even one hit wonders can eat off of their one hit for a long time, if not for a lifetime, and beyond in a will/estate for living relatives.

[@allthecentrefolds]

Hi, thank you so much for making this video! I've been listening to MGMT since their first record, and their earlier stuff brings so much happy memories from my teenage years! My classmates were in a cover band, playing "Kids" in a garage... But I really fell in love with MGMT music when I discovered songs like "Destrokk" and "The Youth". Back then I didn't know anything about the psychodelic genre, and didn't even know English that well (I am from Russia). I just felt like their music was the perfect soundtrack for my naive, curious and blissful outlook on life. And then "Congratulations" was a perfect follow up that captured the feeling of disillusionment that I had as a young adult. "Siberian Breaks" is their magnum opus for sure, I loved to imagine how a music video for this song would have looked like and even had a shot-by-shot image in my head, MGMT is probably the only band that dazzles my imagination in this way. I'm 27 now, and this band to me is one of the best modern bands among only a small handful of others like Arcade Fire or KGLW. My favourite track by them is "Alien Days", it has so much personal meaning to me. I can't wait for their next album!

[@zapakguy1991]

Their latest stuff is simply amazing as well. In The Afternoon is perhaps the best thing they've done since Siberian Breaks (for me, at least).

[@deneesherpather9686]

Congratulations has always been one of my fav albums. Nice to know more about it

[@CharacterDesignForge]

I ended up listening to Congratulations back when it came out probably a bit more than Oracular. It makes a bit of sense that I've since fallen for King Gizzard and the Wizard Lizard so hard

[@teresitaperegrina3741]

my freshman year of high school, we were allowed to use our ipods to run our miles in P.E and i would always play Siberian Breaks (knowing that if i finished the mile before the song ended i was in the clear, past 12 min and i’d fail the mile lmao). It was such a great song to run to, the slow bits would help me pace myself and my breathing and when the song picked up I could sprint. I’ll always think of running in the sun, the smell of hot turf, and 9th grade youth and wonder when i listen to that song.

[@PrvtIdaho]

I’m a runner too and I give your comment Five Stars. ❤

[@ModelsAtWar]

Hey. Not everybody understood the Beatles journey. But they produced many hits that endure to this day in a multitude of styles and various influences. MGMT is on a similar journey I feel like. I’m excited to see what’s to come!

[@akimbotoast]

They made the right decision. Congratulations is their best album in my opinion.

[@richardhoran3694]

Congratulations is such a wonderful album - truly incredible. PLEASE do a video on Little Dark Age now that it just celebrated its 5 year anniversary!!! I’d be so happy

[@pthomasgarcia]

Is there anything more pretentious than the reluctant success trope? I think that’s much more a mockery of popular music than their successful sound

[@eamonnmaccionnaith5761]

Nope.

[@winstonsmith513]

This video is a shining example of why I love bands who aren’t afraid to show variety in their music. They show it’s possible to change while staying true to themselves. That’s why one of my favorite bands is Linkin Park since even if they were always for everyone, they got to do what they wanted and that’s very respectable in my book.

[@KDG702]

Siberian breaks was and still is one of my absolute favorite songs by MGMT ever. Congratulations as a whole is the most refined and polished album they’ve ever made (with, I’d argue, Loss of Life in a close second IMO at time of writing) and I listen top to bottom every time. Absolute legendary album. Siberian Breaks in particular… definitely their magnum opus. So elaborate, I always find something new to appreciate when I listen. However MGMT is so good, that’s how most of their music is. These guys stay true to themselves. I’ll forever have a monumental respect for MGMT

[@whyyes6428]

MGMT completely laughed in the face of the modern commercial music industry. They deserve every bit of mystique and success.

[@CB-jx3vj]

I still say Congratulations was their best album and the greatest album I listened to that year it came out. I understood who they were and respect them for sticking to their artistry.

[@Dyl_Pyckled]

I heard the 3 big hits off of Oracular Spectacular when I was young and they were popular, but I was never particularly into them. Congratulations was my first proper introduction to their music, and it got me to appreciate their more poppy side too. Their artistic integrity is what I think will make their music as a whole appreciated more in the long run... and some of the best music stems from risky career moves.

[@NEMOsleeps24]

Can't say I enjoy all of Congratulations but the title track is definitely one of my all time favorite songs

[@thepunkbackdoor8971]

I love the second album. The vibes from that album are somewhat nostalgic for me and I love the experimental stuff like the song Lady Dada's Nightmare.

[@christopherlazzz1926]

I first heard “Time to Pretend” about 11 years ago when I was a freshman in college. It had such a profound affect me and I could not believe I never heard it before. Till this day it’s one of my favorite songs and something about it really brings me back to being a kid and the struggle of youth. It’s honestly so funny hearing they made it as a joke. Still love the song no matter what.

[@uydagcusdgfughfgsfggsifg753]

‘Weekend Wars’ & ‘Of Moons, Birds & Monsters’ are so slept on from the original album

[@MM-dw5ir]

YES i remember almost crying listening to moons the first time😅

[@KoenRH2803]

I’m so thankful that they changed their sound, the non-commercial music they make are my favorite songs of all time. Much more unique. I hope they will never cave in and keep making strange tracks that shoot your mind into space!

[@klc7275]

Flash Delirium is by far my favorite of their songs. It's one of those that might not be as accessible for a lot of people as Kids, Time To Pretend, or Electric Feel, but it's brilliant. And even though I've been listening to it since the very day it came out, I never get tired of it. They deserve so much more recognition for those kinds of songs. It's a shame they don't.

[@LastBastian]

I like the song a lot, but for some reason listening to it makes me feel slightly queazy. Don't know if it's intentional, but I wonder if anyone else feels a little ...off, by the end of the song?

[@klc7275]

@@LastBastian Well, in this video, there’s a clip from a radio interview where Andrew said they want people to vomit after listening to the album. He was kind of joking, but I wouldn’t doubt that it was intentional. It doesn’t have that affect on me, but it’s kind of chaotic, so I can see how it might give some people that feeling.

[@WiloPolis03]

Tbf, while I definitely get Congratulations being an unsavory left turn for many, I've introduced Congratulations to people irl who have ended up really enjoying it. It's not the most inaccessible thing out there, there's some pretty wild stuff in the neo-psych genre. Especially if someone's already into indie music, definitely a strong rec

[@augustushill6188]

@@WiloPolis03 In the scheme of psychedelic music... it's VERY accessible. I'd say it's very accessible in the scheme of modern music period but I also have no tolerance for the opinions of morons with limited taste that would in any universe label this album as inaccessible. These are the people that willingly chose to grow up on 00's mainstream music (while thinking whatever it was they were listening to wasn't mainstream and they were edgy/cool) and little else so they deserve no recognition or respect.

[@WiloPolis03]

@@augustushill6188 Uh sure

[@anyssamoya1559]

Middle 8, you've done it again! This might have to be the next band I do a deep dive on. I feel like this might be your thing, so here goes: I would love to hear your analysis of Foster the People's second album, Supermodel. It was NOT the pop smash that people expected after their debut, in the shadow of Pumped Up Kicks, and it explores so many thought provoking themes.

[@msscott22]

Supermodel was actually pretty good. Not nearly as good as Torches, but definitely had some excellent songs on it.

[@MarcusMIDI]

This makes me want to immediately listen to Congratulations again. Their best. great video man! Will check out your SB one out 😃

[@jamesjackson2434]

Great video. As a very casual fan of the group I had no idea that some of their hits were intended as commentary. I also remember listening to Congratulations later on and liking a few songs from there and just haven’t thought of them much since, very interesting to learn more about the “accidental fame” so to speak.

[@humanaku9135]

I understand that it feels hard for them to give it all for something they don't even respect

[@stainlesscrowd]

I graduated high school in 2008. My girlfriend at the time and I lived together as a few months before graduation my house burned down. We rented our first house together. I bought a record player. Oracular Spectacular was one of a few records I bought that day. Sitting in that house with friends coming and going thinking about what a great future I had in front of me and that I was finally free to make every decision on my own. This band and many others really helped me pass time and get into my head and try and deal with all the trauma that arose from losing everything in a house fire. The first time "we" took ecstasy obviously MGMT was played as the record player was probably purchased the same week. I have so many great memories transitioning from a child into an adult with mgmt playing in the background. Such fun parties. I wish i could relive those first few years of adulthood. I miss the music coming out during those years. Now years later I tend to skip these songs if they come on during an autoplay only because I have listened to them time and time again.

[@augustushill6188]

Did you listen to congratulations back in the day?

[@epicstudio7185]

I'm a simple man. I see middle 8 video about MGmT I click.

[@stevesamplingmusic]

Kids is without a doubt one of the best pop songs of the 00´s, and one of the most catchy and iconic synth riffs of the century. The fact that they wrote it as a joke and left it off the album is amazing.

[@jjonah4213]

Hot take incoming: I think MGMT's self titled album is their best work so far and for a second favorite I'd say is Little dark age.

[@WiloPolis03]

Not a hot take within the fanbase lol. I'm a fake fan that can't really get into their s/t, but listening to it I definitely get what a lot of people love about it

[@alex_flamer267]

Yes I loved Congratulations! It was my first entry into modern psychedelic rock/pop. And no it's not a commercial album with radio worthy singles like what the first album had. And Little Dark Age (which I also think is there best) wasn't worthy of mass commerical appeal was also very good. Artist authenticity is a great thing and at least they still have fans at the end of the day who will support them. If their authenticity is all they care about, then their careers are will remain in tact.

[@jdln-bldnw]

i was already a fan of theirs but after learning all this now i love them even more - also this video was so well made 👏🏼👏🏼