Sophomore Slump

MGMT's Congratulations is released this week.

I've never been one to put much stock into the idea of the "sophomore slump" when it comes to pop records.  Reaction to artists' first two albums are usually wholly predicated on expectations and contexts that have nothing to do with the artists themselves (something Vampire Weekend soapbox about on Contra).  Nonetheless, there's no denying that simple saying:  "Your debut is a lifetime of experience in the making.  Your second, two years."  Something like that.

Here's what Metacritic has to say on it in light of MGMT's willfully difficult Congratulations.

http://features.metacritic.com/features/2010/best-and-worst-second-albums/