Sorry, not exactly Congratulations.

MGMT is a pretty creative duo. Their 2007 album, Oracular Spectacular, was extremely well received with tracks like "Time to Pretend" and "Electric Feel" that kept made their fans happy and made their fans dance.

However, their sophomore release, Congratulations, pretty much goes against everything they stand for. Not exactly congratulations to them, but more like better luck next time?

I understand the concept of trying to expand and experiment, but this album will confuse you as a listener. If you liked from Oracular Spectacular like I did, these songs are not what you're looking for.

Goldwasser and VanWyngarden claim that they were trying to be themselves more by getting to their roots, but it gets lost in translation. They defend the album to skeptics by referring to influences like the Beach Boys and Led Zeppelin.

Whether it’s their twelve-minute track “Siberian Breaks” or the obscure “I Found A Whistle,” you’ll be heart-pressed to find any meaning in their lyrics or melodies.

There are traces of the group’s previously impressive psychedelic styling in songs like “It’s Working,” but there’s no MGMT spunk attached. It’s more like a continuation one of those eerie songs you hear at a carnival on the merry-go-round that never ends.

Ironically, the only track I enjoyed on the entire album happens to be “Congratulations.” If I had to pick one song for MGMT to use as defense, that would be it. Other than that, I'm lost.

She & Him sounds like summertime.

She & Him have done it again. She being the lovely Zooey Deschanel and him being the talented M. Ward. If you're in one of those "I wish it were summer already" moods like I am lately, listen to She & Him's Volume Two.

Just like their Volume One released in 2008, Deschanel and Ward collaborate to bring back vintage sounds in a rare way that makes you feel like a part of a variety of eras. It's refreshing to hear so many genres in one: hints of folk, pop, rock, country, jazz...pretty much anything you could find in your grandparents' vinyl collection.

Ward controls the strong guitar sounds while Deschanel pipes in with her flirty vocals and keyboard. Ward, who produced the album, occasionally jumps in to sing along.

Key tracks are "Thieves," "In the Sun," and "Lingering Still."

With such a versatile blend of upbeat poppy songs (the good kind) and slower more reflective tunes, you can't go wrong putting this album on repeat.

It's like Deschanel says in "Me and You," "You gotta be kind to yourself."

Real Estate is the perfect soundtrack to the beach.

Although their album came out in 2009, I have recently become engulfed in Real Estate's self-titled album because of one reason: the beach. When I was recently in Miami over break, I found myself repeatedly returning to the low-fi surf rock in the sun. They're from New Jersey and the album takes place in their nostalgia for their suburban teen years, free of responsibility. Go listen to "Suburban Beverage" to get a taste.

Listening to their long-winded jams and subtle vocals about life in sand and under sun while experiencing it myself quickly became addicting. It's the perfect soundtrack to the beach. (I knew I was missing something in Missouri!)

I have issues choosing which track is my favorite. All of the tracks have an overwhelmingly clean instrumental vibe accompanied by calm, faded vocals. I usually start with "Fake Blues" then go to "Beach Comber" and follow that with "Pool Swimmers." It's really a win/win. If you don't have access to a beach, it's just a matter of closing your eyes because Real Estate will get you there. It's just like lead singer/guitarist Martin Courtney says: "What you want is right outside your reach."

introducing THE MORNING BENDERS.

Excuses
the morning benders | MySpace Music Videos

Yours Truly captured this lovely recording of Chris Chu and THE MORNING BENDERS playing

the song "Excuses" from their new album Big Echo. The band is from Berkley, CA and you will

be seeing a lot more of them. Check out their 2008 album Talking through Tin Cans too.

Bon Iver's big plans.

Bon Iver, also known as Wisconsin native Justin Vernon, plans on opening up a new music venue in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. On South Barstow Street, Justin and his brother and tour manager Nate want to create a performance and cultural space, to welcome more indie bands into the area. Their plan has been approved by the city's Redevelopment Authority and they now have 120 days to finalize financing and other details. Now hopefully many fellow Wisconsinites can flock to Union College, which is what the brothers plan to name the venue, to hear quality music. It's first floor will be a live music space, while its second floor will audio and video production classes open to the public. Go Bon Iver!

Vampire Weekend's Contra

Thank God Vampire Weekend's new album Contra is now streaming live on their myspace page:

www.myspace.com/vampireweekend

Take the time to listen all the way through more than once--it's worth it. Frontman Ezra Koenig leads the New York-based indie pop band through a whirlwind of upbeat tracks. Definitely a solid start to 2010.

And don't forget to watch their video for their single "Cousins." Unbelievable videography to correlate with the roller coaster of a song.

Tweedy and Feist add to Beck's Record Club Series

Wilco's Jeff Tweedy and Leslie Feist cover Skip Spence's "Broken Heart" as part of Beck's ongoing project. The filming captures the duet's performance full of poise and passion. Stay tuned for more sessions in coming up.

Record Club: Skip Spence "Broken Heart" from Beck Hansen on Vimeo.