OK Go: Of the Blue Colour of the Sky
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By Darren Estwick. |  |
Sunday, 31, Jan 2010 05:41
OK Go try to make people forget their YouTube videos and remember their music in their third studio album.
By Sarah Garrod.
Capitol Records, out now.
In a nutshell.
Confident, fresh, experimental, niche, colourful
What's it all about?
The 13-track album from OK Go has been perceived as a reinvention of a band which has had limited success; and now hopes to make it big.
The album was originally to be named The Influence of the Blue Ray of the Sunlight and of the Blue Colour of the Sky after the book on which the album is based, including the illustration on its sleeve. It follows the bands earlier offerings OK Go and Oh No, which achieved some acclaim, though it was the 'most watched music video on YouTube', consisting of the band dancing on treadmills, and eventually won them a Grammy.
Who's it by?
The somewhat geeky-looking bandmates, originally from Chicago, consist of Damian Kulash (lead vocals and guitar), Tim Nordwind (bass guitar and backing vocalist), Dan Konopka (drums and percussion) and Andy Ross (keyboards, guitar and backing vocals).
Despite never quite 'making it big' in commercial terms, 2010 looks set to be OK Go's year to shine, following the success of a track released on the hugely popular Twilight Saga: New Moon soundtrack (Shooting the Moon) and now a new album, which has concluded the end of a popular global tour.
As an example.
Likelihood of a trip to the Grammys
If Beyonce decides to take a sabbatical then there's every chance OK Go could make it on to the Grammy nominee list next year. Although they already have one of the awards under their belt, this fresh album has already seen considerable critical success; let's just hope the fans think the same.
What the others say
"The band's lack of a defining musical style has proven an advantage here, as frontman Damian Kulash and co. were clearly able to explore their boundaries, unconfined by audience expectations." - Chris Lo, BBC
"The album's shining moment comes on its fifth track, Skyscrapers. OK Go's past music can often feel as if it's being thrust at you, and Of the Blue Colour of the Sky is also very loud at times, though that's often to accentuate its quieter moments. Skyscrapers presents this new OK Go at their most minimal. It's clear that they no longer want you to just bob your head along, but to sit breathlessly trying to take it all in. Well, at least most of the time. White Knuckles and I Want You So Bad I Can't Breathe are about as catchy as anything they've recorded before, while still reflecting the band's newfound musical ambitions." - Jeremy Aaron, Absolute Punk
So is it any good?
As an OK Go fan for some time I had my concerns the 'reinvention' of the band would disappoint, and see a move towards more commercially-appealing material. But I should have had more faith.
Of the Blue Colour of the Sky is experimental in its form and essence, and the gamble the LA-based band have taken has paid off, as track after track consistently brings something unique. for the first time in long time I didn't skip through one single track the first time I heard the album.
The genre of the former rock/pop band is undecided, strongly influenced by Prince and with just a touch of Scissor Sisters at times, you'll find it hard to pin it down, as the band discover ever increasing musical influences on their journey.
Splendid in its entirety, this album is definitely worth a try, particularly for newbies. Come with no preconceptions of treadmills or black-rimmed glasses though - this is a whole new band.
9/10