Noise

  • Print
  • Small FontsDefault FontsLarge Fonts

[Pop Rock]

OK Go

Of the Blue Colour of the Sky

Image

More

OK Go
Two stars
Beyond the Weekly
OK Go

Three albums in, and geek-chic pop chameleons OK Go have yet to surpass the blessing/curse bestowed by a couple of universally viewed, no-budget music videos that prized choreography over content. Not much changes with this calculated departure from the summer-rock sing-alongs of earlier efforts, a concept album based on a quasi-scientific book from the 1870s.

The underlying formula at work is actually more comprehensible: Start with ubiquitous falsettos and rampant funk a la Prince’s back catalog (synth-drenched opener “WTF?”, single-minded mantra “I Want You So Bad I Can’t Breathe”) and add theatrical organs, chimes and psychedelic swirl courtesy of longtime Flaming Lips producer Dave Fridmann (“This Too Shall Pass,” “Back From Kathmandu”). Sounding too eager to please? Just throw in an earnest acoustic pledge (“Last Leaf”) and a beseeching lullaby (“While You Were Asleep”) to maintain cred with the NPR set.

While OTBCOTS does possess a certain sly swagger, the slinky, lite-soul shtick comes across as hit-hungry and forced. It’s a low-impact dance mix that promises to work up a seductive sweat, yet ultimately takes its leave with nothing more than chaste promises of more to come.

Print This

Discussion:

In an effort to increase the dialogue on our stories, we will be requiring Facebook accounts to leave comments on lasvegasweekly.com stories. We believe that Weekly readers are likely to have Facebook accounts already and more apt to comment on this site with that account rather than have to create an account with us. If, however, you do not have a Facebook account, click here to sign up for one. If you have questions, comments or concerns about this new commenting policy, please let us know.

For any other questions related to commenting on Weekly stories, please read our full policy.

Facebook Activity