I’m not quite sure what I was expecting from the new OK Go album. They are a group who offer the occasional moments of brilliance, for example their phenomenal videos for ‘A Million Ways’ and ‘Hear It Goes Again’ (for which we offered an impassioned defence back in April) or their red hot debut single ‘Get Over It’. Then again they are also a group who tend to pad out releases with some filler material.
Firstly, and most importantly, let us note that ‘Of the Blue Colour of The Sky’ is an album title that boasts an impressive four conjunctions in a seven-word sentence. It is also an album which sees OK Go veer away from their squeaky-clean pop structures and express themselves with a creative freedom that moderate commercial success often affords artists. It is a risk which pays off in places; the soulful vocals on ‘Skyscrapers’ are reminiscent of John Lennon’s latter work and shameless 80s throwback ‘End Love’ is a more than listenable offering.
However, despite an abundance of ideas the album is severely lacking in any sense of cohesion and often sounds like nothing more than a mix tape. Nowhere is this more evident than on ‘Last Leaf’, an ill-advised acoustic number which harks back to the obligatory 90s secret track, yet sits right in the middle of the track listing.
Understandably, trying to pull off 90s acoustic, 80s synth and 60’s psychedelic (‘Back from Kathmandu’) all in one release is a tall order. Laying to one side the likability of the band members and the individual merits of the tracks in question, OK Go’s effort sadly has the effect of leaving the listener more than a little disoriented.
‘Of the Blue Colour of the Sky’ is an album which starts off with real promise but seems to run out of steam halfway through and is glaringly lacking in instant ‘hits’. OK Go’s knack for memorable music videos means they will probably be remembered for a long time to come, however the group who are running out of time to deliver on their exciting early promise.
The band are offering a live mp3 of ‘This Too Shall Pass’ through their website now.
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Post by Kenny the Backpacker
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Anyone who has been within earshot in the past few months will know that I absolutely love Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros. Since catching their scintillating live performances in London this August I have kept their album on repeat.
I have secretly been keeping tabs on their endless tour hoping to intercept them at some point. I was particularly keen on either one of the bands homecoming shows in Los Angeles or the sold out performance New York’s Bowery Ballroom this comingtuesday.Sadly I am unlikely to be flying over to see the band in the near future…
Fortunately there is now a way to watch the Bowery Ballroom show from the comfort of my own livings room thanks to rVibe’s new service. The company stream HQ concerts using their exclusive technology to anyone with access to the internet. Just log in, buy a ticket and watch a fully produced live show from your computer.
Log in on Tuesday November 17th, at 10:00 PM EST through www.rvibe.com and enjoy the show!
I just got back from a weekend in Paris covering Rock En Seine (full reviews and photos coming) where I saw a great performance by Kitty, Daisy & Lewis in front of an appreciative crowd if not slighlty bemused audience. The band are back on British soil now and are playing what is essentially a homecoming gig at Camden’s Proud Galleries on Wednesday 2nd of September.
Having also supported Coldplay on their huge North American tour it will be interesting to see how the North London siblings’ 50s tinged rock n roll will change in a smaller setting. Undoubtedly they will enjoy being able to see the audience’s faces again.
Support on the night is provided by a DJ set from Monsieur Rob Da Bank as well as Sunday Best protégées Lucky Elephant.
Fans of JEFF The Brotherhood rejoice! The Nashville twosome are set to release new album ‘Heavy Days’ in mid October. First single ‘Bone Jam’ is another 3 minute garage wonder. The lyrical refrain “how much money can we spend” is in clear contrast with the video, which (purposely) looks like footage from one of a junior school play.
JEFF The Brotherhood will play almost anywhere and with almost anyone so keep an eye out for upcoming tours with with Ted Leo, Shonen Knife and Ty Segall.
First thing tomorrow morning I’m heading to paris courtesy of the nice people at Eurostarto spend 3 days at the Rock En Seine festival. I can’t wait to check out the likes of Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Passion Pit, Metric and MGMT live as well as catching Faith No More again over 10 years on.
Hopefully I will be able to update the blog on the go with photos and reviews of the festival so keep checking back.
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I’m not quite sure what I was expecting from the new OK Go album. They are a group who offer the occasional moments of brilliance, for example their phenomenal videos for ‘A Million Ways’ and ‘Hear It Goes Again’ (for which we offered an impassioned defence back in April) or their red hot debut single ‘Get Over It’. Then again they are also a group who tend to pad out releases with some filler material.
