Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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32 of 34 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Oh whoa, September 15, 2005
"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.
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6 of 6 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
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.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another great one., September 4, 2005
On OH NO, OK Go sounds a bit more garage-y, a little rougher - older and snarlier, not quite as polished - than on their first self-titled album. I quite like the change. Good solid indie-type rock.
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