OK Go - Of The Blue Color Of The Sky

Genre alternative Publisher Capitol External Links

I find it very odd that OK Go, a band that became famous for a viral video where they performed a synchronized dance on treadmills would return with such a dramatic change in sound. On Of The Blue Color of the Sky, gone are the catchy pop hooks and funny dances, in place is a group that’s interested in making noise.  Unfortunately, it’s just that. Noise. 

“WTF” is a syphilitic opener, full of heavily fuzzed out bass and singer Damian Kulash’s Prince-like falsetto. Porno groove guitars and panning background vocals enhance the track, but in the end it’s wildly incongruent, and effectively lowers expectations for the rest of the disc.

“This Too Shall Pass,” is an effective mid tempo pop tune that would sound better with acoustic guitars, instead, retains the elemental haze that surrounds the album’s first track. There sounds like a desire by the band to dig through the mess and let this song breathe, nonetheless, effected drums spoil that possibility. 

“Skyscrapers” is oddly Jeff Tweedy-esque on Kulash’s part, a gentle, melodic ballad where he seems to copy Tweedy’s vocal trademark of pushing his falsetto as far as it can go for most emotional impact. “White Knuckles” is a dopey disco tune, and “End Love” is a perfect companion to it.  “Before The Earth Was Round,” is a blatant Radiohead ripoff, a la “Everything Is In It’s Right Place with it’s detached vocoder effect. 

OK Go is a band that’s short on ideas but displays that they have the technical know how to create something interesting. Of The Blue Color of the Sky has good ideas in fits, but all too often makes the wrong turn. It’s certainly a bold step for a band that could have phoned in a collection of a few pop singles and some filler that make for entertaining YouTube videos. For that, they should be applauded. 

Regrettably, the end result is just not that interesting.