In Magnet Magazine's latest "don't you feel old now" restrospective, a chronology and collection of bandographies are presented for the style of power pop. In it, there is a page quoting several artists on their favorite power pop songs. Listed first is Steven Albini who contributes, "I guess you could say I think this music is for pussies and should be stopped."
No matter how much album leadoff "Get Over It" reminds me of Cheap Trick (one of Albini's only exceptions to the "power pop is for pussies" rule), OK Go probably should be stopped. Actually, about 10 of these 40 minutes are peppy and enjoyable Sloan-isms that could qualify OK Go as an acceptable guilty pleasure. "Shortly Before the End" is a lullaby anthem with witty lyrics sung atop a churning bed of guitars. The aforementioned single, "Get Over It," starts with Melloncamp-style handclaps and an insistent guitar hook as the singer unleashes a flurry of nonsequiturs. With that, you are strapped into this three minute pop thrill ride and you're not getting off. However, there's also about 10 minutes on the album that is so rancid, simply playing the music will cause milk to curdle. "Return" is some sort of Everclear stadium power chord blowjob... all it needs are some heartfelt lyrics about someone's dad. God, please don't make me listen to this song one more time to explain it any better. "C-C-C-Cinnamon Lips" is giddy childrens music that doesn't seem to have a melody as much as it has loopy organ interjections and a bunch of awkward transitions back to the cloying chorus.
I agree with Steve. Buy some Cheap Trick LPs instead.
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