Dear John Lennon

So, I was thinking, and I had a thought.

Or I guess, an idea. Can I share it with you?



Good.

I want to start some sort of project where everyone writes to their favorite artist. Yes, artist. If you have a favorite band, then choose your favorite member. I am calling the project Dear John Lennon. It is in its beginning stages, obviously, so let me know what you think and tell others, too. Tell everyone. Unless they hate music. I want to compile these letters somehow and make something cool out of it. These letters can say anything you want. But do not hold back. Pretend this person is your best friend. In some ways, they are; you listen to them, they make you think, they make you happy. So, that's my goal. I want feed back!

Congratulations-MGMT: something new for your ears

I have heard nothing but complaints about this new album and I am somewhat socked.

Actually, no, I am not. Because as long as there has been some sort of art form, there have been the critics to smash and bash. I really wish some people's opinions did not count for such high worth or at all, really. Everyone has their opinions, but I wish they were more open minded.

Does anyone remember Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band? Oh, yeah, everyone does, because it's one of The Beatles most well-known albums ever. It influenced and changed music completely. Initially, it was bashed. This was not The Beatles. It was not full of pop-love songs. It was different.

Congratulations is extremely similar. A bit of a claim, I realize, but it could happen. Goldwasser and VanWyngarden took a risk with this new album, much like The Beatles did with Sgt. Peppers. They went above and beyond their pop hits of Time To Pretend, Kids and Electric Feel instead of trying to recreate and possibly destroy those songs. Bands grow and become better musicians. No band can keep recreating the same stuff over and over again. Not even the Beach Boys (ha, they were influenced too much by Sgt. Pepper).

So, if you're looking for the same generic pop-number one hit songs, then this album and this band is not for you.

A rather noble quote, "We'd rather people hear the whole album as an album and see what tracks jump out rather than the ones that get played on the radio – if anything gets played on the radio!" -Goldwasser

Amen.

Favorite tracks: Congratulations, Song for Dan Treacy, Siberian Breaks (a more chill Metanoia).