Even though MGMT is a band that has become quite popular in the indie music world, I still meet people everyday that have no idea who they are...so this is for you! In many ways, I believe that MGMT is groundbreaking because the basic instruments that make up a rock band (guitar, drums, bass) are of somewhat little importance in this duo...it's my belief that electronic means take the place of those major instruments. The first song I'm showcasing is probably their most memorable tune (and my personal favorite) "Kids" off the album "Oracular Spectacular." Now there are atleast two versions of this song that I know of: the EP version and the album version. I personally like the EP version much better. The differences are actually very present, especially since in the album version the song is about a 1/2 step lower (pitch wise) than the EP version. If you would like to listen to the album version, click HERE. Otherwise, enjoy the EP version, which to me sounds brighter and cleaner...just a better recording (musically) in general. So, sit back, gather some thoughts about the song, follow the lyrics, and rock out.
Lyrics to Kids :
(A-Section)
You were a child
Crawling on your knees toward him
Making momma so proud
But your voice is too loud
We like to watch you laughing
Picking insects off of plants
No time to think of consequences
(Chorus and B-Section)
Control yourself
Take only what you need from him
A family of trees wanting to be haunted (?)
Control yourself
Take only what you need from him
A family of trees wanting to be haunted
(a-Section)
The water is warm
But it's sending me shivers
A baby is born
Crying out for attention
Memories fade
Like looking through a fogged mirror
Decisions too
Decisions are made and not bought
But I thought this wouldn't hurt a lot
I guess not
Chorus 2x
(bridge)
Chorus 4x (also a sort of coda section)
In a lot of MGMT's music i've noticed, they have some sort of "noise" intro that makes way into the song. In this case, it's laughing children. This is a clever way to start the song, because it obviously imitates the title. The first musical thing we hear is this simple upward scale in an electronic synthesizer. What this basically tells the listener is that this song has an established diatonic key, which concerning music these days, is very rare (most rock songs today are very modal). This scaler passage basically sets up the main musical theme that we will be hearing throughout the song, and precedes what will be heard in the chorus. After this scaler passage is introduced, the harmony is then completely filled electronically. In terms of a beating pattern, the idea of a strong downbeat/weak upbeat alternation is quite apparent here. When the vocals finally enter, most of the musical extras drop out, and all you're left with is the vocals, the bass, and the synthesizer figure. What's interesting here is that even though scaler passage is dropped when the vocals enter, the same harmony remains intact even though the vocals are a different musical line. In the B-Section (when the chorus finally enters) all of the musical ideas that were initially introduced at the beginning, emerge along with the vocals, including that important scaler passage.
In the a-section (as opposed to the A-Section), all signs of a specific pulse drop out, and just the harmony and the vocals remain, almost as if it were just lingering there. When the line "decisions to, decisions are made and not bought" a very prominent pulse enters until the chorus re-emerges.
After the chorus, a very extended bridge enters which includes a very eratic synthesizer solo with a electronic trumpet-like fanfare that leads into musical variation on the opening scaler passage. What I mean by this is that this main musical them is changed and manipulated by means of different percussive qualities and even harmony! It's important to note that even though the harmony and percussive qualities underlying the scaler passage is changed, the scaler passage itself remains intact; those same notes are always present. This bring us to, what I'd like to call, the coda section (ending section) even though it's just the chorus being repeated about 4x. When we finally reach the ending of this song, it seems to just fade away with a shimmering electronic motive that lingers then dissolves.
In terms of the lyrics, they're a bit obscure, especially the chorus. I've even seen MGMT give interviews where they've admitted to creating the music before they write the lyrics, so in a way, this obscurity makes sense. My analysis of this song would be forgotten memories of childhood and how innocence is ever present in the fragile beginning stages of life. That eventually fades into adulthood, where are decisions can either make us or break us.
The next MGMT song I'd like to feature is entitled "Electric Feel." It's definately one of the more popular songs off the album. If you would like to watch the video, which you should because it's RIDICULOUS, click HERE. I've heard it described as Crazytown's "Butterfly" (remember them?) meets the children's movie"Fern Gully." The one I'm going to post here is rather cute because it features those creepy animals bands that little kids seem to love at Chuckie Cheese. Anyways, here ya' go. Follow along with the lyrics and boogie.
Lyrics to Electric Feel :
(A-Section)
All along the western front
people line up to receive
she got the current in her hand
just shock you like you won't believe
sun in the amazon
with the voltage running through her skin
standing there with nothing on
she gonna teach me how to swim
(B-Section-chorus)
i said ooh girl
shock me like an electric eel
baby girl
turn me on with your electric feel
i said ooh girl
shock me like an electric eel
baby girl
turn me on with your electric feel
(mini bridge)
(a-Section)
All along the eastern shore
put your circuits in the sea
this is what the world is for
making electricity
you can feel it in your mind
oh you can do it all the time
plug it in, change the world
you are my electric girl
(B-Section-Chorus)
i said ooh girl
shock me like an electric eel
baby girl
turn me on with your electric feel
i said ooh girl
shock me like an electric eel
baby girl
turn me on with your electric feel
(Main Bridge)
(Coda)
do what you feel now
electric feel now
do what you feel now
electric feel now
do what you feel now
electric feel now
do what you feel now
electric feel now
do what you feel now
electric feel now
This song starts out with an electronic swell into the main theme. After this swell, a strong bass motive enters, which incidently stays the same throughout the entire song. Lying on top of this strong bass is an embellished synthesizer motive that doesn't really take precedence in the song, but is used mainly for embellishment. When the guitar enters a few moments later, it serves the same purpose.
When the vocals enter, pretty much any extra musical embellishments (the synth and the guitar) drop out, just leaving the bass, drums, and vocals. When we finally get to the chorus, the bass remains intact, leaving out the synthesizer embellishment that was present in the beginning. After the first chorus, there is a "mini bridge" which isn't that long (hence the term mini) and only introduces one new musical idea in which what sounds like plucked strings, lie above the strong bass.
And finally, we get to the main bridge. It features the synthesizer solo from the beginning which is followed by a constant rhythmic build that leads into the coda ("Do what you feel now").
This song is very groovy, sexy, and almost goes back to the kind of dance (disco) music that we heard in the 70's. It's very dance-able. The lyrics very much reflect this kind of sexy, "come hither" dance music. Rocktastic.
Anyways, here's my analysis for today. Hope you enjoyed the music!
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