Customer Reviews

Ok Go

5 star:		(97)
4 star:		(33)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Years ago, Rolling Stone rated Nirvana's album Nevermind 3 stars. Ever since then, the magazine has gone downhill in the reviewing department. Giving 5 star reviews to only established "classic" artists like Bob Dylan, they often overlook newer, exciting bands. Their latest travesty--rating Ok Go's new album 2 stars--is pathetic at best. The album is a breath of fresh air in the pop genre--this is the "smart-pop" we've all been yearning for, drowning in the boy and girl band mud pool. In a world of "nu-metal", female singer-songwriters, bad (no really bad) radio pop, and derivative hip-hop, the need for music like this is urgent. Listen to "Get Over It" first (the first single and MTV2 video) and then get to the better stuff--"Bye Bye Baby", "Don't Ask Me", "What to Do", "You're So Damn Hot", and the exhilarating time-loop song about a guy with a problem that won't go away, "There's a Fire". The other tracks are equally strong, save for the strange "C-C-C-Cinnamon Lips" that seems out of place. Ok Go is in it's finest form in exciting live shows, but this CD is proof that they are here to stay on stage and off. Thank you to Capitol Records for recognizing their amazing talent.

Well, by now I'm sure we're all familiar with the Strokes, the White Stripes, the Hives, and, by a slight stretch of fancy, the Vines. For some odd reason, "sounding old" is "sounding new". Personally, I don't understand the correlation but that seems to be the set-up nowadays. The point is: I don't like it. The Strokes were ok, I could listen to them and bob my head. I have mixed opinions on the Hives. At times I can listen to their stuff and appreciate it, at times I get angry. The Vines are also hit or miss with me, and the White Stripes? No. I know many people are against me here, but no.

Then there's OK Go.

Alright, time to play chemist and see how we could make OK Go with other elements. If we were to get this retro movement, add a little Weezer, a dab of Coldplay and a hint of Everclear, then we'd probably have something very similar to these pop-rock nuts. The first song I ever heard, "Get Over It", hinted at Weezer-ish elements of "smart-rock", but did not get close to the band's overall potential. Then I became familiar with songs like "You're So Damn Hot" and "Return", and the CD was mine.

OK Go has that sound that sounds old and new at the same time. I know that sounds cheezy and vague, but that's the truth. As you listen to them, you can easily imagine them on alternative rock radio and with raggedy apparel. But simultaneously, they have so many older elements (a synthesizer that screams mid-80's, a chorus of voices that can easily be the new Beach Boys, etc.) that cannot be ignored or overlooked. I mean, even the album cover looks like a hippie's wallpaper.

You can't tell me that the songs aren't fun. While some, notably "Return" and "1000 Miles Per Hour" are very mellow, songs like "You're so Damn Hot" and "Bye Bye Baby" will have you smiling guaranteed. Then there's songs like "The Fix Is In" and "There's a Fire" that... just deserve a good hearing. As a matter of fact, the whole CD deserves a good hearing. I love it, and you should too. "Get Over It" will hook you, but the rest of the CD will keep you.

Recommendations: "Get Over It", "Return", "Bye Bye Baby", "There's a Fire", "Don't Ask Me"

If this album had a subtitle it would be: "...in which four snarky art school kids from Chicago endeavor to rock out with tongues planted firmly in cheek."

After listening to OK Go's debut a few times, I am of the opinion that people who dislike this album strongly either don't care for power pop in general or just don't "get it."

The lyrics are so smart alecky that I can't imagine anyone taking it too seriously. The album's aim seems to be mixing big, dumb choruses with whip smart lyrics, purposely confounding the legions of people waiting to dissect the album for faults. (i.e. Rolling Stone's curiously acidic two star review.)

Amongst the usual power pop touchstones, you can hear bits and pieces of J. Geil's Band on the infectious first single "Get Over It" and The Knack's hormone-charged delivery on "You're So Damn Hot."

It isn't all winks and nudges and knowing looks, though. The drumbeat on "Get Over It" returns on "1000 Miles Per Hour," one of the more restrained tracks on the album. Damian's vocals drop most of it's jokiness for the yearning "Return." It doesn't last long, though, because a groovy bassline from Tom Nordwind starts up the fun again on "There's A Fire." The cheeky and cheesy "C-C-C-Cinnamon Lips," with it's handclaps and high-pitched vocals, is another highlight. The haughty chorus to "What To Do" ("Mediocre people do exceptional things all the time...") is bound to polarize people, which I think is half the point. "Hello, My Treacherous Friends" is a great kiss off to the critics and naysayers.

Smart songwriting, a bratty delivery and solid musicianship (not to mention a very affordable price) makes OK Go's debut a definate listen for power pop fans. Give it a shot. It's forty minutes well spent.

I had to come back and edit this to change from 4 to five stars. I saw these guys live, and they played all the songs I didn't like on this album. They were all AMAZING songs in concert, recording just can't capture the feeling behind them; now I listen to them in a whole new light. Also, I read an interview with Damian (the lead singer) explaining the story behind Hello My Treacherous Friends, which makes it that much better. I've been playing this constantly since September and am not close to tired of it!

I got ahold of as much of OK GO's material as I could a few months ago, and have been enjoying them immensely. Based on my database of songs, I would give them a 5. This is very listenable power pop, and what I love about this band is that they don't stick to one sound or song format. They range from straight-out rock on Get Over It, to intelligent lyrical musings on What to Do, and It's Tough to Have a Crush.

However, this album rated four stars because of the song order, and choice of songs for the album. Tracks 5-8 don't show OK GO at their best. The four songs are all rather slow, and create a void in the middle of the album. These songs should have been mixed in with the more up-tempo songs to keep the album from bogging down. Also, I would have like to see Kiss Me, Son of God on the album.

Definitely a worthy purchase from a band I'm hoping to hear a lot more from!

I first heard OK Go at a live performance [on the radio]. These guys (almost kids, really) were super-tight and plenty of fun-- plus they did a fitting TMBG cover which pretty much solidified them as cool in the audience's mind. I picked up their 3-song CD at the show, which stayed in heavy rotation in my car for almost 6 months; absolutely intoxicating stuff.

I bought their new disc prior to its release and haven't been able to stop listening. While "Get Over It" is bound to get plenty of airplay on radio and ...TV, my favorite tracks are still "Bye Bye Baby" and "Hello, My Treacherous Friends." Don't judge these boys on the single alone; you'd be missing out.

Clever quirky lyrics, funky rhythms and time signatures, and an overall sense of "it's cool to be a dork" define this album. It's refreshing, especially in light of the [stuff] that's on the radio these days.

...

From the amazing cover art to the music, this album is one of my best investments ever. It has nothing to do with the fact that OK Go are one of my favourite bands ever; the music within will keep you singing for a long time after you hear it. Full of catchy tunes and lyrics to suit every mood, this album is not one to be missed.

I can't pick a favourite track, but if I had to it would be "Bye Bye Baby". It's so catchy and makes you want listen over and over. All the other tracks are special in their own way. "Get Over It" and "You're So Damn Hot" have an undescribable edge to them, "Don't Ask Me" and "C-C-C-Cinnamon Lips" are cute and vibrant. "Hello My Treacherous Friend" and "Shortly Before The End" give the album a clever balance of light and dark sounds.

The perfect mix for anyone who likes artists such as Rooney, The Redwalls, The Hives, Franz Ferdinand, Phantom Planet, The Vines, Rilo Keily and any old school stuff like the Beach Boys or REM. Don't be put off by this seemingly pop genre; the OK Go guy's have created a fun, unique (somewhat weird) and unmissable sound; perfect rock and roll. Go Buy!!

Whether you are a new fan turned on to Ok Go by thier new CD or the "A Million Ways" video or just ended up on this page by accident, you should diffently check this CD out. Any fan of indie, alternative, or rock/pop music will instantly fall in love with Ok Go's self titled debut album. Thier upbeat and infectous music will have you dancing all over your house, in the car, at work, or where ever you listen to music.

I bought this album vaguely knowing who the band was, After hearing "Don't Ask Me" on a friend's web blog. Right away I fell in love with them. I highly recommend this album to anyone and everyone.

...Jaci

What a cool album. Although there is nothing new here, and nothing terribly original, this album is a blast to listen to. A delightful blend of pop, rock and quirky keyboards with highly intelligent, well thought-out and often sarcastic lyrics ... this album just doesn't quit. Opening up with the albums big single, "Get Over It", this song sets the stage for the sing song-y, dance groove-y, pop-rock with tongue in cheek lyrics. A number of the songs deal humorously with relationships, but the humor never reaches a childish, contrived or slapstick manner. This is the humor found in situations that just about anybody can relate to, with a sound behind it that just about anybody can dance to.

Toward the middle of the album, the band takes a slightly more somber approach to their songwriting, as they ease off the crunchy guitars and total pop feel - yet still remain heavy on those quirky keyboards and bright lyrics. Track 6, "Shortly Before The End," is the most somber track on the album, as it sounds almost like an atmospheric Radiohead rock song. Very heavy with keyboards, samples, electronic drums and mellowed out vocals, this song really shows that this band isn't just about making you smile and bob your head. The following track, "Return," is a pure rock-out love lost, pop song - which brings back the rock, but not the humorous lyrics ... yet.

Once you get to track 9, "C-C-C-Cinnamon Lips," the smile will be back across your face in no time, as this is probably the quirkiest song on the whole disk. The album continues on, closing out with "Bye Bye Baby," which wraps the album up very nicely with some rock-solid pop goodness and vocals that just roll off your tongue. Overall, this album is irresistible. The most fun song is probably the second track, "Don't Ask Me," which sums up perfectly the pain and annoyance you go through when trying to remain friends with an ex. I would definitely recommend this album to anyone who has an appreciation for smart lyrics, a sense of humor, or just likes to have fun. Like I said, these guys aren't breaking any ground, but they sure are cracking smiles. 8.5/10

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Ok Go is an awesome band! The new CD is totally cool, all the songs have a unique sound.

Get Over It is a great catchy anthem.
Don't Ask Me sounds like you could swing dance to it. (in a good way)
You're So Damn Hot is a different kind of guitar rock love song, heehe.
What To Do is pop-fantastic
1000 Miles Per Hour is a new version of Elton John's Your Song
Shortly Before The End is a beautiful ballad
Return is sad and grungy (also in a good way)
There's A Fire..the lyrics are just freakin' great!
C-C-C-Cinnamon Lips...Can we say My Sharona..possibly Mony Mony? Sorta, It's even better...
The Fix Is In...cool guitar beat
Hello, My Treacherous Friends is...different..but one of my fave songs on the CD!
Bye Bye Baby is another catchy tune.

So really, there's something for everyone! If you like this, I recommend my fave Pittsburgh band, Buzz Poets. It's kinda the same pop-alt-rock music...not in that order...^_-