OK Go - Oh No

Genre rock Publisher Capitol Records External Links Official Site Capitol Records

When OK Go opened for Capitol label mates The Vines at the Metro in their hometown of Chicago some years ago, a great debate was had by attendees of the show over which band sucked more. The Vines won that vote, as at the very least, OK Go weren't making as obvious a ploy for the title.

The time I saw them, at a radio-sponsored Christmas show at the House of Blues (again, in Chicago and home turf), they headlined and were the worst band of the night. It's bad when a band of also-rans (SR-71), and a crap nu-metal band (Seether) beat you, even worse when it's in your own town.

I haven't even mentioned how loathsome I found the band's eponymous debut. Aside from what everyone noted as the absoluteness of their one-hit wonder status with "Get Over It," the album was a dreadful bore. Chock full of clichés, not bothering to add any hint of personality.

Over the past year and a half I noticed that the band was playing the occasional show at local club Empty Bottle, which always garnered a guffaw from me. I was figuring that the hipsters showed up only to stand sullenly by, arms folded, cold staring the popsters until they left the stage, shoulders slumped in defeat.

The band was one of the local acts added to the main stages of Lollapalooza, but I passed on seeing them. Why would I knowingly torture myself in that manner? As if the 100+ degree heat that day wasn't torture enough. Catching the guys milling about in the media tent, I scoffed at them and their goofy thrift shop outfits. Clowns, I thought.

Then I was sent their new album, Oh No. I'm embarrassed to say the least. Not for what I thought of their live show or their first album, but for my contemptuous dismissal of them. Suffice it to say, I was wrong.

These guys have delivered one of the most enjoyable pop/rock records of the last two and a half decades. No joke. This album is fun, it's joyous, it's chock full of good tunes, great playing, sly wit, spectacular melodies, seemingly effortless lyrics and smashing vocals.

To say I was shocked after my first complete listen is to put it mildly. My jaw literally dropped afterwards. I listened to it again and again and again. There's only been one other album that has received more spins from me this year and it was released back in March!

There's not a duff moment, crap track or any of the stupid, cloying attitude that sunk the debut. Every one of Oh No's thirteen tracks could and should be released as a single.

Not that I don't have favorites, that is. The album culminates in the best track, "The House Wins," a slow simmer of a tune featuring fuzzed-out guitar and delicious wit. Lead track, "Invincible," is almost as good. The "uh-oh-ohs" found in the chorus sparkle. The stuttering rhythms of "Here It Goes Again," are sublime. The Jagger-cool of "A Good Idea at the Time" begs to be heard, while the blue-eyed soul of "Oh Lately It's So Quiet" puts these white boys in Prince territory. Sort of?you have to hear it, it's in the vibe.

"Crash the Party" is a spirited rave-up, while "Let It Rain" has the feeling of driving with the top down as the sun sets on a cool day. "Television, Television" drives even faster than "Crash," letting up only as it ends.

It's impossible to not gush about this album. Everything about is spectacular. The cynic in me doesn't even want to credit the band, giving the praise to producer Tore Johansson (Franz Ferdinand) instead. But that would be unjust. The band deserve every ounce of credit for this (perhaps Tore just focused them?), as well as all of the requisite fame and fortune that comes from making the best party record of 2005.