Oh No

OK Go | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 30, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Capitol
• ASIN: B000ADWD4I
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (141 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #73,603 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

On its self-titled 2002 debut, OK Go nailed the two things every decent power-pop band needs--deadly looks and deadly hooks--to deliver the knock-out hit "Get Over It." Its follow up, produced by Tore Johansson (Franz Ferdinand, the Cardigans) and recorded in Malmöö, Sweden, offers more of the same. Much more. The Chicago quartet can't seem to move through its record collection fast enough, piling on the Beach Boys harmonies, Cars synthesizer squelches and Queen-inspired fanfare on breakneck songs like "Here It Goes Again" and "Crash The Party." Without any pauses for breath or quiet contemplation, it's frankly almost too much to take in one sitting. Then again, it can't be easy trying to cram the entire history of pop in just under an hour. --Aidin Vaziri

Product Description

They had one hit back in 2002, and then they sort of just disappeared, but Chicago's OK Go are back to give it another go. The four-piece entered a Malmo, Sweden, studio late last year, and with the help of producer Tore Johansson (Franz Ferdinand, The Cardigans), exited with their second album, Oh No. Capitol. 2005.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 40 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Oh whoa September 15, 2005

By E. A Solinas HALL OF FAMETOP 100 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD

"You will go into a room together and you will rock."

So promises Tore Johansson, producer of OK Go's sophomore album, "Oh No." And despite their poppy but less than satisfying debut, the powerpop band actually manages to do just that: make people rock. If a few songs didn't strongly resemble other dancerock bands of the moment, it would be "invincible!"

The album kicks off with two of the best songs on it: the sinuous, muscular "Invincible" and energetic rock-stomp of "Do What You Want." These songs are catchy, rough and gloriously rock-y. Pretty good replay value too -- despite the oft-repeated phrase "come on come on!", vocalist Damian Kulash keeps the sound fresh.

Until about the halfway point of the album, OK Go continues this energetic dancerock sound, churning out one excellent song after another. But alas, their best material is used at the start, and is followed by some songs that sound a bit too like the Futureheads and Franz Ferdinand. Not surprising, when one considers that Johansson also produced Franz Ferdinand's debut.

The last half is not terrible by any stretch, merely not great; the second stretch of songs lack that explosive, muscular style in the first. And what is WITH that half-hour "bonus" track that has nothing except the odd rustle?

It's a credit to OK Go's dancerock capability that they can overcome the strong Franz Ferdinand vibes that permeate a few of the songs. They have actually become better since their debut album, downplaying the keyboard in favour of thick mats of guitar and bass. As a makeover, moving from powerpop to dancerock is a pretty inspired one.

Kulash has a rare kind of voice: He can change from a monotone to a howl as if a switch had been flipped, and has a pleasant purr when he's being quiet. He's joined by a quartet of capable musicians, whether it's twisting basslines or rapid-fire drums. And though guitarist/pianist/keyboardist Andrew Ross left during the recording of the album, the sound doesn't suffer.

Ok Go starts to shuck off their powerpop origins, in favour of an energetic dance sound. It has a few uninspired songs, but if they follow the blazing lead of "Invincible," they will only get better.

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars It's a no-brainer folks... November 8, 2006

By Larry Davis

Format:Audio CD

Even if you were the first on your block to buy OK Go's great sophomore release "Oh No" a year-and-a-half ago, you really have to get this new deluxe expanded reissue, and NOT say "Oh No" at the prospect of rebuying the album over again.

I honestly had no idea this was coming out (I just saw the boys on Leno and Jay's mention of it along with holding it up for all to see, I was like "What The...???"), but you know what happens...a great record was resurrected from the dead, and the label strikes while the iron is hot, and usually, these reissues just piss off more people than they entertain. Not OK Go's deluxe "Oh No". This new 2006 CD/DVD is a reissue done right.

First off, it follows in the album's tradition of it being shrinkwrapped with the band's logo forming a clear window for the fancy artwork to show through...the original one was black, this one's like purple/plum...when you open it up, THAT's where things are REALLY different. I don't know who thought of the idea, but it's clever, just like everything the band does...the NEW artwork incorporates someone's fingers (perhaps Damian's??) holding up a shrunken CD (with the original artwork), turning each page, and the CD itself, as if displaying it for you, very nice. The CD of the album is identical to the original CD, 2nd edition, with the "bonus" 14th track, whatever it is...it originally pissed me off, but I grew to accept it for what it is. Having the album itself just separates you from the wannabe's, and shows you have impeccable taste.

Now, the DVD is the clincher, icing on the cake, etc. It's not some record company ploy, it's the band's design and a clearing of their video vaults!!! It's over an hour of stuff, including not only all the clever clips from "Oh No" that made our boys a sensation on YouTube, even the making of the famous "treadmill video" of the ultracatchy "Here It Goes Again", but ALSO all the clips from their just-as-great 2002 self-titled debut album, like the song/clip that made me pay attention to them in the first place, "Get Over It", with it's pingpong footage, hooray!!! Add in live clips, fan involvement like the dancing booth they brought on tour and video entries in a contest they had...the works.

Add all this up in a handy dandy package of a record and band that deserves all the accolades gone their way...all at a bargain of a price, and hours of upon hours of fun, woohoo!!!

Oh, and hearing the record again is absolutely swell, even if you've worn out 10 copies of it...they make awesome gifts!!!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Who is Andy Ross and why does he fit into OK GO so well? August 30, 2005

By Mark Esposito

Format:Audio CD

Amazing band. Great CD. A little Ray Davies, a little Cars, a little Elvis Costello, a little Cheap Trick. Damain is like a musical Dr. Frankenstein creating the ultimate original Pop Rock monster that is OK Go.

I've seen them perform this second CD live twice now, and all I can say is "Who is Andy Ross and why does he fit into OK GO so well?"

Between his fantastic stage presence, his keyboard parts, his lead guitar licks and his background vocals (ode to Andrew), where did they find this guy?

Damian, can you enlighten us?

He is the perfect fit to an already perfect band. Never stop. Keep these great CD's coming.