This band is not for turning

MGMT’s Ben Goldwasser wouldn’t change a thing. Three years ago he and Andrew Vanwyngarden, his musical other half, released an opinion-splitting second album, Congratulations. Angry and obtuse, it was an ill-tempered retreat from the chart friendly swagger of their 2008 debut, Oracular Spectacular. Fans and critics were confused – many loathed Congratulations. The backlash rumbled on and on and, it could be argued, continues to this day.

“We learned a lesson,” Goldwasser sighs. “We are still very happy with Congratulations. Ultimately it’s not a very positive record. We were disorientated and disillusioned — that comes across in the music. A lot of the lyrics are about being in a band.”

Bloodied and battered by reviewers, Congratulations did not sell well and the case can be made that MGMT’s popularity never recovered. The subject is foremost on Goldwasser’s mind this morning as he and Vanwyngarden are about to unveil a follow-up. Heavily influenced by late 1960s British psychedelia, MGMT is a fine LP, albeit not nearly as catchy as their early output. On a promotional trip to Berlin, Goldwasser is uncertain as to how it will be received.