|
Title |
Label |
Cat# |
Country |
Year |
|
Oracular Spectacular (CD, Album, RE, Enh) |
Columbia |
88697 19512 2 |
US |
2008 |
|
Oracular Spectacular (CD, Album) |
Red Ink |
88697 06475 2 |
US |
2007 |
|
Oracular Spectacular (CD, Album, Promo) |
Columbia |
none |
UK |
2007 |
|
Oracular Spectacular (CD, Album, Enh) |
Columbia |
88697 19512 2 |
Canada |
2008 |
|
Oracular Spectacular (CD, Album, Enh) |
Sony BMG Music Entertainment (Russia) |
88697 29792 2 |
Russia |
2008 |
|
Oracular Spectacular (CD, Album, Enh, Dig) |
Columbia |
886971951226 |
Mexico |
2008 |
|
Oracular Spectacular (CD, Album, Enh, Dig) |
Columbia |
88697195122 |
UK & Europe |
2008 |
|
Oracular Spectacular (CD, Album, Enh, Dig) |
Columbia |
8869 719512-2 |
Argentina |
2008 |
|
Oracular Spectacular (CD, Album, Enh, Dig) |
Columbia, Sony BMG Music Entertainment |
88697195122 |
Australia |
2008 |
|
Oracular Spectacular (LP) |
CBS |
CBS 719512 |
UK |
2008 |
|
Oracular Spectacular (LP, Album) |
Columbia |
88697 19512 1 |
US |
2008 |
|
Oracular Spectacular (LP, Album) |
Columbia |
88697 19512 1 |
Europe |
2008 |
The vinyl record itself is heavy, it's not labeled as 180 gram vinyl, but it's heavier than the other records in my collection. Heavier vinyl is more durable, and some people claim that it sounds better.
The vinyl mix is supposedly "enhanced," however, on certain songs, like "Kids" (last song on Side 1), the bass is pounding away, and it sounds a little distorted, and the vocals are fuzzy-sounding. The MP3 mix might actually be more balanced than the mixing done on the vinyl version.
The inner sleeve has glossy artwork (lots of concentric circles on one side, and lyrics printed on the other side). ("Glossy" compared to the typical paper-y inner sleeve).
Buyer beware, a sticker on the outside says "Includes code for free MP3 download of this album". Yes, there is a code with the album, but the offer for the free download ended on 1/23/09 (it's February 10th 2009, during the writing of this review). The expiration date should be on the outside of the album, to avoid getting people's hopes up. Or better yet, there shouldn't be an expiration date at all.
In my opinion, Oracular Spectacular is one of the best albums of 2008, the melodies are catchy, beats are great, it's just awesome synth-pop. I'm reluctant on calling it "indie" cause this is MGMT's release on Columbia, but it has indie aesthetics. I'd give 5 stars for the album, but 4 stars for the vinyl version of the album. It would be a great addition to any vinyl record collection!