Of Moons, Birds & Monsters drowned like a rat.
##SONGS IN
- Time to Pretend
- Electric Feel
- Kids
##SONGS OUT
| Rank | Song | Votes Against | Percentage | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4th place | Of Moons, Birds & Monsters | 38/73 votes | 52.1% | 52.1% (24/73) |
| 5th place | Weekend Wars | 29/70 votes | 41.4% | 38.6% (27/70) |
| 6th place | The Youth | 35/72 votes | 48.6% | 34.7% (25/72) |
| 7th place | 4th Dimensional Transition | 24/50 votes | 48% | 28% (14/50) |
| 8th place | The Handshake | 25/42 votes | 59.5% | 28.6% (12/42) |
| 9th place | Future Reflections | 18/46 votes | 39.1% | 30.4% (14/46) |
| 10th place | Pieces of What | 22/52 votes | 42.3% | 21.2% (11/52) |
##Stream
##ALBUM INFO
I don't know what to do with this information. I think the original version sounds much more ironic, which I'm pretty sure was the intention. However, speeding it up in the OC version was a very good idea IMO.
I wish more of their music had that sound to it. I like all their music but that first album was just so damn good. Of moons birds and monsters to the weekend warriors, they hit gold with that.
For sure the it's best album all time! this is the best MotherfuckingMoherfuckin album of all time, yo!
Don’t get me wrong, I love Congratulations and it was a fantastic follow up to OS, but I remember when that album came out and everyone was expecting it to sound like Kids, Electric Feel, and Time to Pretend. Now that we have BF3K, I can’t help but think that this is what that album could have sounded like if they continued on with that style. Any thoughts?
This is what I like to call a “dynamic edit” of Oracular Spectacular by MGMT! While not the most dynamically-compressed (not to be confused with data compressed, which concerns MP3s and such) of the group’s catalog, it is nevertheless the work that put MGMT on the map, and due to producer and mixer Dave Fridmann’s involvement, is quite compressed.
For those not in the know, the Loudness War is a phenomenon beginning in the mid-90s onward, in which music was mastered louder and louder, with the underlying reasoning being that louder music sells better. As with any medium, however, there is a peak loudness a signal can reach, so dynamic range compression (which makes the louder parts of the signal quieter while keeping the quiet parts quiet) and sometimes even clipping (attempting to push a signal beyond its peak) were used to make music as loud as possible. In contrast to most music affected in this so-called “loudness war”, Dave Fridmann, the producer and mixing engineer for this project, is the main reason for this project’s loudness, rather than its mastering engineer. While dynamic range compression is an imperative tool for any mixing engineer, Fridmann frequently uses an unusually heavy amount of dynamic range compression to create a punchy and often dirty sound for the bands he works with.
Music that has faced a high degree of dynamic range compression and/or clipping can be fatiguing to the ear, and clipping in particular can produce this audible distortion that typically manifests in this hiss-like artifact emanating over loud sections. Oracular Spectacular does not seem to suffer from any clipping to my ear, but the runtime can nevertheless become fatiguing due to its compressed mix. It should also be noted that since this compression took place during the mixing stage of the record, the vinyl releases should also face the same degree of that compression, but may be more listenable due to the imprecise nature of the medium.
I attempted to fix up the dynamic range compression on this record with a program called “Perfect Declipper”, can not only help alleviate clipping, but also much of the dynamic range compression that occurs during mastering! As such, many of the artifacts of dynamic range compression and clipping, including hiss, are much less noticeable, and the result is much more dynamic. In this case, I was able to turn the dynamic range of the album from 5 into 11!
This is what a few of songs look like before and after my edits:
[
... keep reading on reddit ➡
https://happymag.tv/engineering-the-sound-oracular-spectacular-by-mgmt/
"Following the signing of contracts, the band were then given all of 21 days to create their major label full-length debut."
"According to VanWyngarden, Fridmann happily embraced “the challenge of using drums recorded with a RadioShack mic and putting them on a major-label release.”
I know this album doesn't get a whole lot of attention because fans prefer the more experimental approach the band took with Congratulations and Little Dark Age. But I'm just gonna speak from the heart here, Oracular Spectacular was my introduction to the band when I had just transferred colleges and was learning my way around. I remember listening to this album cover-to-cover multiple times, and there honestly wasn't a single song I disliked from it.
The songs people remember the most from it tend to be Electric Feel, Kids and The Youth. But Weekend Wars, The Handshake and Of Moons, Birds and Monsters are easily some of the most beautiful and calming songs I've ever heard. I feel like those tracks don't get enough praise, and I just want to take a moment to give them some love. This whole album is honestly so incredible despite its more mainstream audience. That's all I wanted to say
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IV5F2WM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_ER57K2V6XAXBZM9E6S3F?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
I absolutely love this album from start to finish. Weekend Wars, Of Birds Moons and Monsters, and Future Reflections I consider to be masterpieces. I have noticed the music, lyrics, the album cover all have a similar theme and feel of some primitive, possibly utopian future society. Is that just me???
Every time I listen to this album I visualize some sort of Cast Away/Lord of the Flies vibe. People stranded on an island who begin to adapt to this new post apocalyptic society and forget what real life before the island is. The new norms are hunting for food, making weapons to fight the rival tribe on the island, and also the main antagonist being some sort of prophet that can get glimpses of the future. This power is both a blessing and a curse. I imagine this album like a short film that takes place on a beach with a war raging on between normal people who have now become savages fighting for territory. At the end, of the album, everyone is dead besides the main protagonist, who is left on the beach alone.
“One day I’ll appreciate the rush of blood and the washed out beat of the shore And remember what it felt like to be alone Sitting in the sunlight.... All alone”
To me, Weekend Wars and Future reflections tell a majority of the story, but some songs like Pieces of What, Electric Feel, The Youth, all fill in some holes and add more context to the story and how people slip away from themselves and grow into a new beast on the island. Maybe I’m taking the lyrics too literally and trying to dissect them too much, but I love thinking about the songs in this regard. It makes me feel like I’m watching an incredible unique and ambitious movie.
Anyone else get that vibe or do I just have a vivid imagination?
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d/B00IV5F2WM/
Dunno how much cheaper than usual this is, but $12.99 Canadian is dirt cheap for a new record
Hey everyone, new to this sub.
For years I've been in love with MGMT's first album OS and continued to follow their upcoming albums, but to me other than a couple songs here and there (mainly in Congratulations), their music style and tone of voice drastically changed. Am I alone in this? I LOVE Oracular Spectacular but the other albums just haven't gotten any where close to it. I'm not here to hate or anything, I'm always hopeful when I see a new project out and always want more of what I think of as their signature style but just haven't gotten it ever since OS.
Any thoughts or comments are welcomed, let's have a conversation!
Any pressing, not too picky at all.
Not too picky about jacket condition (although I prefer if it looked nice, minor ring wear or spine wear isn’t an issue), but the vinyl has to be VG+ at least, preferably Near Mint.
PM me with offers.
Just trying to expand my collection. I sell vinyl on the side and now that I’m gaining traction I wanna use it to be able to get all three of those albums, they’ve been on my want list for a long time and now I finally won’t feel guilty if I buy them.
;) the gun is pointed to your head, choose!
Full list of stuff from that era that I like:
- MGMT - Oracular Spectacular
- Panda Bear - Person Pitch
- Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend
- Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
- Gorillaz - Plastic Beach
- MGMT - Congratulations
- Broken Bells - Broken Bells
- The Black Keys - El Camino
- M83 - Hurry Up, We're Dreaming
- Foster the People - Torches
- Arctic Monkeys - Suck It and See
- Tame Impala - Lonerism
- Alt-J - An Awesome Wave
- Arctic Monkeys - AM
- Queens of the Stone Age - ...Like Clockwork
- Daft Punk - Random Access Memories
- Portugal. The Man - Evil Friends
- Temples - Sun Structures
All albums I consider relatively upbeat/happy sounding.
And we're off.
Also, our vote for the next Re-Do survivor ended in a tie between Stevie Wonder's Songs in the Key of Life and Nick Drake's Pink Moon. Vote for the tie breaker down below!
##Vote Here for Oracular Spectacular
##Vote Here For The Next Re-Do Survivor
##SONGS IN
- Time to Pretend
- Weekend Wars
- The Youth
- Electric Feel
- Kids
- 4th Dimensional Transition
- Pieces of What
- Of Moons, Birds & Monsters
- The Handshake
- Future Reflections
##Stream
##ALBUM INFO
Alright everyone, next we're gonna be looking at the album that's going to force me to learn how to spell spectacular, MGMT's Oracular Spectacular!
Make sure you have your rankings ready, I will be posting Round 1 in two days.
##SONGS IN
- Time to Pretend
- Weekend Wars
- The Youth
- Electric Feel
- Kids
- 4th Dimensional Transition
- Pieces of What
- Of Moons, Birds & Monsters
- The Handshake
- Future Reflections
##Vote For The Next Re-Do Survivor Here!
##Stream
##ALBUM INFO
In a "shocking" turn of events, Electric Feel was voted out.
##SONGS IN
- Time to Pretend
- Kids
##SONGS OUT
| Rank | Song | Votes Against | Percentage | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3rd place | Electric Feel | 49/86 votes | 57% | 25.6% (22/86) |
| 4th place | Of Moons, Birds & Monsters | 38/73 votes | 52.1% | 52.1% (24/73) |
| 5th place | Weekend Wars | 29/70 votes | 41.4% | 38.6% (27/70) |
| 6th place | The Youth | 35/72 votes | 48.6% | 34.7% (25/72) |
| 7th place | 4th Dimensional Transition | 24/50 votes | 48% | 28% (14/50) |
| 8th place | The Handshake | 25/42 votes | 59.5% | 28.6% (12/42) |
| 9th place | Future Reflections | 18/46 votes | 39.1% | 30.4% (14/46) |
| 10th place | Pieces of What | 22/52 votes | 42.3% | 21.2% (11/52) |
##Stream
##ALBUM INFO
Weekend Wars lost the battle.
##SONGS IN
- Time to Pretend
- Electric Feel
- Kids
- Of Moons, Birds & Monsters
##SONGS OUT
| Rank | Song | Votes Against | Percentage | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5th place | Weekend Wars | 29/70 votes | 41.4% | 38.6% (27/70) |
| 6th place | The Youth | 35/72 votes | 48.6% | 34.7% (25/72) |
| 7th place | 4th Dimensional Transition | 24/50 votes | 48% | 28% (14/50) |
| 8th place | The Handshake | 25/42 votes | 59.5% | 28.6% (12/42) |
| 9th place | Future Reflections | 18/46 votes | 39.1% | 30.4% (14/46) |
| 10th place | Pieces of What | 22/52 votes | 42.3% | 21.2% (11/52) |
##Stream
##ALBUM INFO
The Youth got old.
And with that ladies and gentlemen, we have our top 5!
##SONGS IN
- Time to Pretend
- Weekend Wars
- Electric Feel
- Kids
- Of Moons, Birds & Monsters
##SONGS OUT
| Rank | Song | Votes Against | Percentage | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6th place | The Youth | 35/72 votes | 48.6% | 34.7% (25/72) |
| 7th place | 4th Dimensional Transition | 24/50 votes | 48% | 28% (14/50) |
| 8th place | The Handshake | 25/42 votes | 59.5% | 28.6% (12/42) |
| 9th place | Future Reflections | 18/46 votes | 39.1% | 30.4% (14/46) |
| 10th place | Pieces of What | 22/52 votes | 42.3% | 21.2% (11/52) |
##Stream
##ALBUM INFO
The Handshake was shaken out of the survivor.
##SONGS IN
- Time to Pretend
- Weekend Wars
- The Youth
- Electric Feel
- Kids
- 4th Dimensional Transition
- Of Moons, Birds & Monsters
##SONGS OUT
| Rank | Song | Votes Against | Percentage | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8th place | The Handshake | 25/42 votes | 59.5% | 28.6% (12/42) |
| 9th place | Future Reflections | 18/46 votes | 39.1% | 30.4% (14/46) |
| 10th place | Pieces of What | 22/52 votes | 42.3% | 21.2% (11/52) |
##Stream
##ALBUM INFO
4th Dimensional Transition was knocked into the 5th dimension.
##SONGS IN
- Time to Pretend
- Weekend Wars
- The Youth
- Electric Feel
- Kids
- Of Moons, Birds & Monsters
##SONGS OUT
| Rank | Song | Votes Against | Percentage | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7th place | 4th Dimensional Transition | 24/50 votes | 48% | 28% (14/50) |
| 8th place | The Handshake | 25/42 votes | 59.5% | 28.6% (12/42) |
| 9th place | Future Reflections | 18/46 votes | 39.1% | 30.4% (14/46) |
| 10th place | Pieces of What | 22/52 votes | 42.3% | 21.2% (11/52) |
##Stream
##ALBUM INFO
Kids was mauled by those weird ass monsters, which means...
##Time to Pretend is our winner!
##SONGS IN
- Time to Pretend
##SONGS OUT
| Rank | Song | Votes Against | Percentage | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st place | Time to Pretend | 48/101 votes | 47.5% | |
| 2nd place | Kids | 53/101 votes | 52.5% | 47.5% (48/101) |
| 3rd place | Electric Feel | 49/86 votes | 57% | 25.6% (22/86) |
| 4th place | Of Moons, Birds & Monsters | 38/73 votes | 52.1% | 52.1% (24/73) |
| 5th place | Weekend Wars | 29/70 votes | 41.4% | 38.6% (27/70) |
| 6th place | The Youth | 35/72 votes | 48.6% | 34.7% (25/72) |
| 7th place | 4th Dimensional Transition | 24/50 votes | 48% | 28% (14/50) |
| 8th place | The Handshake | 25/42 votes | 59.5% | 28.6% (12/42) |
| 9th place | Future Reflections | 18/46 votes | 39.1% | 30.4% (14/46) |
| 10th place | Pieces of What | 22/52 votes | 42.3% | 21.2% (11/52) |
##Stream
##ALBUM INFO
Pieces of What doesn't matter anymore.
Also, our next Re-Do survivor will be Stevie Wonder's Songs in the Key of Life!
##SONGS IN
- Time to Pretend
- Weekend Wars
- The Youth
- Electric Feel
- Kids
- 4th Dimensional Transition
- Of Moons, Birds & Monsters
- The Handshake
- Future Reflections
##SONGS OUT
| Rank | Song | Votes Against | Percentage | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th place | Pieces of What | 22/52 votes | 42.3% | 21.2% (11/52) |
##Stream
##ALBUM INFO
Future Reflections' spirit left.
##SONGS IN
- Time to Pretend
- Weekend Wars
- The Youth
- Electric Feel
- Kids
- 4th Dimensional Transition
- Of Moons, Birds & Monsters
- The Handshake
##SONGS OUT
| Rank | Song | Votes Against | Percentage | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9th place | Future Reflections | 18/46 votes | 39.1% | 30.4% (14/46) |
| 10th place | Pieces of What | 22/52 votes | 42.3% | 21.2% (11/52) |
##Stream
##ALBUM INFO
