Why I Won’t Like MGMT
I was introduced to MGMT by a label PR manager e-mailing about MGMT’s Oracular Spectacular, promoting their performance as well as bribe to post about them and offer giveaways such as vinyl, cds and concert tickets when they came to Toronto with Yeasayer. Generally you don’t see too many music giveaways unless it’s a major label promoting a band as indie bands have to go through the word of mouth way (long live music blogs!).
One caution with music blogging is not to be influenced by the free cds, and the other perks we get doing something everyone genuinely likes to do which is to discuss music. I am kind of rolling my eyes in this case as to why a MGMT has become so popular of late. When I first received the e-mail about the contest opportunities they had 300K myspace hits and now they have a million.
The first thing promoted by the label was their sub-par/average performance on Letterman’s late show. Like what makes this performance stand out that it become a “hot video” on El.bows. It’s just a normal performance by a band that seemed relatively unknown to me.
The funny thing is I was talking to a friend about the worst bands she’s seen live and guess which band she mentioned, MGMT! Hah, unknown to her though was that MGMT was getting some considerable hype which seemed rather questionable to her.
I rejected the offer to hold a contest on my blog regarding MGMT, I cited that “Time To Pretend” seems like their only good song and the other tracks were not good enough to be promoted by me and I would rather promote smaller (indie and non-major) and more deserving bands.
After watching a few videos of MGMT and their music video for Time To Pretend, I have become increasingly annoyed by their popularity. Mainly because this seems like another average or “meh” band that due to the structure of the music industry (major vs indie) is having success when I don’t think it’s all that deserving. (They aren’t that special, they are basically a pop band without any complexity).
They have received some hype from Rolling Stone and Spin, but does that count in my world where indie has an equal footing with mainstream rock? Getting a review from Pitchfork is not bad but who cares about a 6.8 out of 10? and PrefixMag doesn’t count (it’s a blog calling itself a magazine, why I don’t I just start one up?).
Their style also annoys the crap out of me. It comes off as fake, and overdone. MGMT is nothing special but it feels like their acting like their such “hipsters” it disgusts me. Here’s a hint to you musicians who actually want to be cool, make good music! They apparently perform pagan festivals in their free time (sure sure) and dress like fools while giving off the pro-drugs vibe with their “psychedelic” video. One rule of thumb for me is music comes before style or you’re just some loser wannabe.
If you watch the video for Time To Pretend, it’s a fucking joke (Click here). If you fall for this shit and come as off as saying MGMT is so hip and cool, you’re more gullible then a dog. I guess there’s more meaning to “Time To Pretend” 
.
Flame away!
Time to Pretend
Pun intended?