OK Go: ‘Oh No’
Dan DaranciangOK Go
For fans of: Franz Ferdinand, Weezer
Grade: 3.5/5 stars
Bottom Line: Definitely above average and worth a listen, but a bit unsure of itself
“Oh No” is the second major release to come from OK Go, and it shows a bit of the awkwardness of a band trying to find itself. The band, which started out as a quirky mix of the Pixies and Weezer, had a hit with the insanely catchy “Get Over It.” This time around the band has teamed up with producer Tore Johansson, who also happened to work with Franz Ferdinand, which is perhaps why the band has shifted toward more of dance-rock sound on a lot of their songs.
Songs such as “Invincible,” “Here It Goes Again” and “It’s a Disaster” demonstrate this move to catchy, quasi-witty pop lyrics and bouncing guitars. However, the band doesn’t keep this upbeat sound going for too long. From these high-energy tunes, the band goes into weird, mildly creepy songs like “Oh Lately It’s So Quiet,” a very odd quasi-love pop song, which seems to be about a ghost, or the quiet and mellow “Let It Rain.” Both styles work and are mildly compelling, but the lack of cohesion works against the album. It seems like the band wasn’t sure if they wanted to go more of a quirky, indie route or the more currently popular style, and, instead of just picking one, decided to do both.
The band has a tight sound, with crunchy guitars, a steady bass and thoroughly entertaining drums, but the results seem a bit too planned and calculated. Gone is the “We only have one take so make it good” urgency that was present on their last album, and with it goes some of their charm. Also gone from this album is the punk-esque caterwauling of lead singer Damian Kulash, replaced with a toned down Damon Albarn-meets-Beck kind of vocalization with the occasional punk flourish. This sound works, but it seems as if the band has lost some of their creativity and drive. “Oh No” is very catchy and likeable despite being a bit derivative and uninspired, and it’s worth a listen for anyone looking for a bit more Franz Ferdinand.
Popularity: unranked [?]
Related Posts
Print This Post