Ok Go The Metro Chicago, IL April 17, 2010

Now in its tenth year, Ok Go had good reasons to be in such high spirits when walking out onto the same stage where it once performed its first record release show in 2002 for its self-titled debut album. This year began with the release of Ok Go’s third album Of The Blue Colour of the Sky, which would turn out to be the band’s last album for its record label, EMI/Capitol. In March, Ok Go announced the formation of its own record label, Paracadute. The separation grew out of EMI blocking the band’s fans from embedding its music videos on fan websites. “My band is famous for music videos,” said lead singer Damian Kulash Jr. in a New York Times op-ed piece on February 19, 2010. As of April, the quartet has assumed absolute control of its entire artistic world, which is a testament to the band’s decade of work.

The spectacle vs. the music.

Ok Go’s performance at Metro seemed to support Kulash’s op-ed statement in that the stage gimmicks served as the knock-out punch rather than the song hooks. There was a sense of urgency that surrounded the band’s opening song, “Invincible,” that grabbed the entire club. The crowd’s excitement—though never wavering—didn’t seem to fuel the band to take the show a step further. Any interaction between band members was barely visible; it was as if each member was fulfilling a scripted role within each song. “I Want You So Bad I Can’t Breathe” and “White Knuckles” showed off the band’s ability to lay down a sexy dance groove. Bassist Tim Nordwind and drummer Dan Konopka locked in tight beat while guitarist Andy Ross supplied slices of funk. On “What To Do,” the four members assembled around a table set up at center stage, and, with just their voices and hand bells, gave a refreshing rendition that really captured the band’s drive to keep the music fun for themselves.

The band never quite reclaimed that opening edge. Ok Go’s most notable single, “Here It Goes Again,” served its feel good, crowd jumping purpose and faded into the night. The audience coaching by Kulash diminished the effect of “This Too Shall Pass.” A cover of the Pixies’ “Debaser” was the fiercest Ok Go played for much of the night with Kulash pulling off a fine Frank Black vocal.

As the band launched into its only encore, Ok Go executed a clever moment of showmanship that created the loudest roar of the night. With their backs facing the crowd and the house lights brought down, the matching black suit coats on each member electronically sprung to life. In a slot machine-like motion, the individual letters spelling out the band’s name moved on their backs until the band name was fully spelled out to the crowd. Kulash, Nordwind and Ross soon activated neon feather boas wrapped around their instruments, the heads of which came armed with lasers. Nordwind’s even had messages scrolling through the pick-up section of his bass. Entertainment? Sure. How did it serve “WTF”? Well…there were lasers.

Although Ok Go now resides in L.A., it was clear that Chicago remains the band’s home, and the fans that packed Metro reminded them of that fact. The overall crowd didn’t seem to mind the pre-packaged novelty moves that the band pulled off that night. Hopefully over time the band doesn’t forget the music in the lights.

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