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OK Go
OK Go
Capitol/EMI
Telling someone about OK Go's self titled debut album is actually an incredibly difficult thing to do. They're one of those bands that you know are great, but you just can't quite put your finger on what it is about them.
Is it the fact they've found a way to seamlessly merge hand clapping pop with stadium rock? Is it the sense of humor in tracks like Hello My Treacherous Friends or the sickly sweet lyrics of C-C-C-Cinnamon Lips? Or that they somewhat remind you of a dozen or so bands you enjoy watching on old Countdown re-runs?
Whatever it is, OK Go are impressing everyone with their catchy tunes, sharing the stage with bands such as Sloan, the D4 and The Donnas. From the thundering beat that kicks off their album's opening track and single Get Over It, it's not hard to see why: songwriter/vocalist Damian Kulash is a lyrical genius, evident in tracks like What To Do and Return. Shortly Before The End is amazingly beautiful, lumbering on through soft vocals and a burst of guitars courtesy of Andy Duncan. Kulash has a very Robert Smith feel and sound to him, particularly in Don't Ask Me and my personal favourite There's A Fire - what is surely a tribute to The Cure's Close To Me.
You can tell they're are a band who have fun and never take themselves too seriously, which is refreshing. Their website features links to favourite radio and television shows, printable art by Kulash and during a tour with radio show This American Life in 2000, they reportedly ended each performance with a carefully choreographed boy-band parody dance routine. As it says in their bio, OK Go are proof that rock 'n' roll can be "fun without being dumb" - a lesson a lot of today's bands could really use.
Ryan Smith
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