MGMT played a sold out show in Sydney whilst I was at a much smaller venue watching Jim Ward (ATD-I/Sparta/Sleepercar).
I made the right choice.

Album Rating: 3.5

DavID, here is a link to a review of the Hordern gig you speak of: http://www.yourgigs.com.au/reviews/?review_id=150687

The FasterLouder review of the Melbourne gig is sickeningly positive.

And here's my review of the Jim Ward show I went to instead:
http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/reviews/events/16276/Jim-Ward--Annandale-Hotel-Sydney-091208.htm

Album Rating: 2.0

jim ward was great with atdi

i met jim ward at soundwave. we talked for a few minutes and he signed my hat and i got photo with him

yay

not to mention he was awesome, his live performance is so powerfulThis Message Edited On 12.15.08

Album Rating: 3.5

Ahhh, I didn't know I was looking for "MorningAfterboy" DavID. That was seriously a nice write-up mate.

I've always meant to give Sparta a more detailed listen.

Okay I heard this because sometimes I like the things you recommend, but this sucks. I don't even like "Kids" much either.

Album Rating: 3.5

Boo-urns Maxy. Oh well, my strike rate for you couldn't be perfect I guess. Rather ironic you give this opinion though as I recently received an email from a guy who proclaimed this was his best album of 2008! To each their own I guess... I'm somewhere in between.

my band class is trying to cover "Kids", which makes it worse because i have to hear it every band class.

Album Rating: 3.5

That would be cool for whoever is playing the keys, but nah, I couldn't imagine hearing any song played over & over & over again would endear it to the listeners.

Yeah, this is super strange but relatively pleasant.

Album Rating: 3.5

I guess it is strange Caleb, but one gets the feeling that due to the success of these guys, the music may seem normal in about a years time.

Album Rating: 3.0

That is one of the best comments I have heard about these guys Davey.

It's hard to be original these days, the only way for music to progress is for it to go out of the contextual box, I suppose.

So, I welcome that idea!

Album Rating: 3.5

But what makes MGMT even stranger is that they really have a throwback sound deep down anyway. So you could reasonably argue that they are original OR that they aren't.



Either way, if you start seeing even more copycats popping up in the next few months, MGMT should be given a fair bit of kudos (whether positive or negative).



But good on them. Reading stories & interviews, they plugged away and stuck to their guns (see my review of their 'Time To Pretend' EP) and are now bonafide stars.

Album Rating: 3.0

Would you say that 'Empire of the Sun' are rip offs?

The first of many, possibly.

Also, yes.

Album Rating: 3.5

I had a feeling that question may be coming because of my review. In reading over that review of 'Walking On A Dream', I can see how it could be miscontrued that is what I think. But I was just as much referring to the album being hit & miss, and both bands being a duo that dressed weirdly.



I wouldn't quite say that EotS rip-off MGMT, but I think it's fair to state they are relatively similar. The music isn't exactly the same, but it is along the same lines with a throwback feel that combines predominantly programmed music with some instrumentation.



Conclusion; Not rip-offs, but easily similar enough to be considered as one of the followers.

Album Rating: 3.0

In a long line to come

There are much worse things than a long line of MGMT imitators. Not so bad.