Ok Go
Live at Joseph's Well on Wednesday, 18th January 2006
With the ample crowd salivating in anticipation it's finally time for the main event, and American rockers Ok Go fail to disappoint launching a violent tirade of killer hooks and candy floss anthems. Casting aside the primitive misconceptions of the inherent simplicity of the bands vocals and crashing chords, it seems impossible not to be captivated by the energetic four-piece.
There's nothing new on show, dumbed down mid-nineties cross Atlantic punk resonates in explosive electric guitars, and cutting lyrics reminiscent of timeless deity Elvis Costello. However it's the manner in which Ok Go set about laying the bait and watching you reel yourself slowly in beginning with jittery head nods, and culminating in a full torso assault. That endears them to a little spot in your heart.
Although the shackles of having one high charting tune on which your career depends upon lays a heavy burden, the tone is set for a melodic uprising of stinging harmonies and rapturous riffs which finally culminate in radio favourite 'Get Over It'.
It's rarely you are able to allay your concerns regarding the so-called pop rock movement, but there's something in the charismatic energy of a hard working band putting in a tight performance that's sugary sweet on the ears. Even an ELO cover who appear to be a sizeable influence on the band's sound and the persistent car advert appeal of tracks such as 'Your So Damn Hot', fail to detract from an audience including such worthy advocates as Kaiser Chiefs' foot stomping exploits. Maybe providing a sound worthy of the finest car advertisement around isn't such a bad thing, I mean national exposure, the endemic embedding of your signature tune into an unknowing publics psyche. Oh, and I hear they pay pretty well too!
Nevertheless singer Damian's tightrope walking charade between confident swagger and bouncy pop fun certainly encapsulate the mood, making for the perfect dissection of a reinvigorating raw rock jaunt.
