Chicago’s OK Go had built up a loyal fan following through their theatrical live shows long before the release of their self-titled debut album in 2002. That album combined unabashedly bright power-pop, campy, dramatic vocals, and a polished, high-energy studio sound reminiscent of The Cars.
Oh No followed in 2005. For the most part, it follows the same blueprint that made OK Go a modest hit – lots of radio-friendly pop gems – but OK Go’s sophomore album features a few darker moments, the equivalent of a few dark clouds obstructing their otherwise sunny sound.
But don’t worry: they still make the kind of driving-with-the-top-down, summer-friendly pop that fans have come to expect from this dynamic band.
The album opens with the rocking “Invincible,” which reveals the band’s punk influences with a chorus that could be described as “screamo lite.” (Don’t be fooled by their initial tough bravado, however – with its vocal harmonies, the bridge suddenly interjects a nod to psychadelic rock.) Next, they turn it up a notch with the impossibly catchy “Do What You Want,” a rhythm-heavy, straight-ahead pop single. And just when you think it might be time to slow it down a bit, the album picks up speed again with “Here It Goes Again,” which musically references 80s New Wave without sounding overly nostalgic.
The album finally calms down a bit with “A Good Idea at the Time,” whose hand claps, tambourine and fuzzy guitar riffs still maintain a peppy note, despite the slower tempo. “Oh Lately It’s So Quiet” sounds like a lost early 80s-era Cars B-side – you can almost hear Ric Ocasek on the background “oh no”s.
Mid-album, the sound shifts - minor keys bring out the darker side of OK Go on songs like “A Million Ways,” “No Sign of Life,” and “Maybe This Time.” This is where Oh No really distinguishes itself from its predecessor. The sound maintains an element of fun, but the change in tone hints at a maturity that was lacking on the debut. This is reinforced by lyrics like “You don’t have to be alone to be lonely/ You might as well give in,” (“The House Wins”) as the band proves they can do more lyrically than weave together clever turns of phrase and pop culture references.
The success of Oh No was catapulted by the popularity of the band’s iconic, lo-fi “treadmill” video for the single “Here It Goes Again,” a YouTube phenomenon when it was released in 2006 that subsequently won the band a Grammy. Television appearances and a deal with JC Penney soon followed, increasing the album’s exposure.
Despite its darker sound, Oh No has enough layers to sustain multiple listenings. So put the top down and enjoy the summer sound.
"OH NO" is on sale August 30, 2005 from Capitol.
