Music Is... OK Go: Oh No

Released August 30, 2005

Continuing with the "Go" guys here I'm feeling good about reviewing this one too. Being the artsy person I am, I have to say I like the cover. I know its a simple floral pattern inside the letters but I can see the symmetry and I can't knock it. I feel like I'm starting in the middle considering I already spoke on the album afterward and one single before. Again from reading different reviews and opinions I see that many feel this one isn't as good as "OK Go" and that the sound fizzles out towards the end. Others say it's fantastic with very catchy melodies and lyrics. Essentially were all a work in progress. I'm a bit on the lighter side and I see a good consistency throughout. A change up, for my ears, is 'A Million Ways'. I like the tambourine with the snare. Adds a nice jingle. Damian Kulash, the lead vocalist sounds particularly good on this one. The corresponding video is very simple. Their in a backyard dancing, and in a humorous way, they are perfectly in sync. It's really good. My favorite track 'Here It Goes Again' and it's tag along video are simply a genius pairing.

A solid piece of work altogether. Nothing too headbanging or too dance. Worth your while especially if your a fan thus far. 

Get It

Music Is... OK Go: Of the Blue Colour of the Sky

Ok, here we go again. Ehh, that was a horrible pun, but lets get going. On my last review I took a look at the single 'Get Over It' on the self titled album "OK Go". Released January 12, 2010 I mentioned this one towards the end of the previous post. I'm pretty excited to give an examination to the fullest extent I can.

I don't think that bands fully depart from themselves, I just feel that their are different avenues of expression. OK Go has definitely traveled on a different road this time around and they've made a few pit stops along the way. The first track 'WTF' is something to savor. A gurgling synth sound, voice modification (not sure what you'd call that specific type), off kilter, unconventional beat pattern. Goes with the subject too; that of trying to figure out how this girl takes him up and down through emotions and being unsure of what will happen next. I find one of the more interesting songs to be 'White Knuckles'. I had to look up that term since I was truly unfamiliar with its meaning. It means (from Webster): marked by, causing, or experiencing tense nervousness white–knuckle ride on a roller coaster>. That being said, I'm much clearer on whats being said. Basically, once an action is done, you'll never be able to reverse it. How do you feel now? A universal concept that's very solid. Beat wise, there's and eclectic sound that draws you in. Nice overall tempo and a creative display. 

Get It

Music Is... OK Go - Get Over It (single)

Released September 5, 2002

Madden NFL 2003. I loved that game. Through the initial introduction of EA Sport's EA Trax, I heard this song for the very first time. I was rummaging through the games features for quite a bit of time before this track rolled around. I loved it and still do. 'Get Over It'. The title pretty much says it all. Listening to the song a few more times, it reminds me of 'We Will Rock You' by Queen. I'm not sure if that was the inspiration but there are some similarities to me. Very contageous beat. For a 2002 release, it was surely a breath of fresh air. In the early 2000's there was a sameness in the musical world that was a little boring. As far as I'm concerned, change is good and necessary.

Their latest release "OK Go: Of The Blue Colour Of The Sky" contains a sort of funk/rock tone meshed with this mellow, easy listening vibe. It's fantastic. I'll have to review this one soon. For now "get over it".

Get It: Single 

Get It: album

Music Is... Instrumentals

It's my opinion that instrumentals play just as much a key role in the music world as the the song as a whole. It's pretty much a fact that the lyrics and the tune go hand in hand. But, when you can strip down the track to the beat alone, it leads to a whole other venture for me. Personally on any given day I can come up with tons of different beats, in my head at least. I have the software to put it down, but that's pretty hard to do when you're listening to music at the same time. I guess my problem has an easy solution: don't listen to other things. I can't help it though. As soon as I get a tune in my head, I try and get it down, but then the silence bugs me a bit and I have to play some music to get the vibe right. I suppose I try to have my cake and eat it too, I don't know. I just love a nice instrumental to help me mellow out to, get some house work done, or freestyle to (I'm not all that good, but it's a good laugh). Getting back to the subject, I think that instrumentals give the listener a chance to interpret the tone the way they want to. The lyrics already solidified by the artists give the beat a singular definition. However like I mentioned earlier, when you can create your own vision, it automatically creates a personal portrayal.

These are some of my favorite beats:

Average White Band - "Overture"

Jay Z - "Allure"

Ice Cube - "It Was A Good Day"

Letoya Luckett - "She Don't"

Mc Lyte "10% Dis"

Superstar - "Lupe Fiasco"

OK Go - "Get Over It"

New Birth - "Been Such A Long Time"

Aaliyah - "4 Page Letter"

En Vogue - "Free Your Mind"

Queen Latifah - "U.N.I.T.Y"

Seals and Crofts - "Summer Breeze"

One for the choosing