Stereogum Home
August 1, 2006

"Jamiroquai Called..."

About a year ago, Chicago power-poppers OK Go avoided a dreaded sophomore slump via one low-budget video with high-concept choreography. A million downloads of "A Million Ways" garnered them incredible exposure. And they're still milking it! (You have until the end of the month to enter the OK Go Dances With You(tube) Contest.)

But it doesn't end there. Check out the band's new video for the appropriately titled "Here It Goes Again."

Maybe I'm being jaded (OK, I'm being jaded), but ... really? More nerd dancing?

What do you guys think? Too much of a good thing or let the dance, dance revolution continue?

Posted at 9:15 PM in
Tags:




40 Comments

It's a cool video and all, but they're just re-doing what made them successful hoping for the same success. Sacrificing originality for profit. Lame.

Posted by: Vyral at 08/01/06 9:54 PM | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

How could anyone call that lame? This is seriously so much better than anything nominated for an MTV award this year.
Fantastic!

Posted by: mike at 08/01/06 10:10 PM | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

That was pretty awesome.

Posted by: Tauwan at 08/01/06 10:16 PM | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

I have dial-up so I didn't get to watch it, but still...I never get sick of watching nerds dance.

Posted by: Jamie at 08/01/06 10:19 PM | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

On paper, it's bad (more no-budget dancing, bass guy does the singing again), but when you actually watch it (and consider the amount of members who surely must have died), it's actually kind of amazing.

In my book, they still haven't made a bad video (check out okgo.com). This is the last dancey vid pass they get, though. It's a nice idea, but they shouldn't milk it.

Posted by: Jason Robots at 08/01/06 10:20 PM | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

i like it. i liked 'a million ways' as well, but i agree if they do it again...no thanks.

Posted by: erik at 08/01/06 10:24 PM | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

still amusing, and it must've taken a whole hell of a lot of time to get right. but quite frankly, i forgot they existed, and to see another video of them doing the same thing... and the time the memory lapse spans... could've come up with something a tad bit more original. despite the scarcity of channels playing videos these days (but still widely viewable on youtube if so inclined) it does sh-t-harm to yourself to replay yourself in an art form as wildly varied and still workable as the music video. c'mon.

/end rant

Posted by: mercator at 08/01/06 10:58 PM | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

I thought it was hilarious, thoroughly enjoyable. Now, officially, they have taken the concept as far as it can go (two was just enough, no more dancing vids now) but I thought it was low-budget, hilarious, clever, and I kept saying to myself either "that looks like fun!" or "how did they do that?" Good call for them. If it gets people to come out to their shows solely for that reason, they will be impressed with what they find because they put on a tight live show with minimal dancing. Highly recommended.

Posted by: heather at 08/01/06 11:15 PM | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

This is the worst video I have ever seen. It has terrible coreography, and its ode to virtual insanity is neither flattering or ironic. I could have made somthing better in my basement. Funny enough it is linked from you tube. It fits nicely with the other pathetic videos that permeate that site. If I wanted to watch a bunch of losers making fools out of themselves I would have hitched a ride to the local hipster open mic night and "snarked" at their tube socks and retarded skinny suits... horrible

Posted by: ben at 08/01/06 11:17 PM | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

For what it's worth, they did a choreographed dance as a pre-encore when I saw them live about a year ago (before the "A Million Ways" frenzy hit). I think them boys just love to nerd-dance.

Posted by: matt at 08/01/06 11:28 PM | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

The singer's sister is a ballroom dance instructor or a Choreographer-- I forget which, but that explains why they incorporate dance so often. I don't think that the "A Million Ways" video should be credited with "Breaking them". When they performed the song (actually they just danced) on Good Morning America, the hosts didn't even say that they were ok go, they said they were dancing to an Ok Go song. Why can't dancing be their trademark? It's a lot more intersting than reading about another fucking Beirut show...

Posted by: Matt at 08/01/06 11:59 PM | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

i really loved the video
honestly, i dont think it was made for people to take so seriously, so why put it down mann. its good :]

Posted by: kaitlin darby at 08/02/06 12:09 AM | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

see, here's the thing. they had one hit a lonnngg time ago, which most people don't remember. and they weren't really heard from again until the last video. i really like them as a band and i like their sound.

and i must commend them on practicing all these nerdy dance moves just to get a super choreographed music video for about 3 minutes. i loved this one, and the one before [although, the one before had better dance moves..this one was moreso "hey we're good at using tredmills"]

but i do agree with some of you above me..loved it the first time. liked it the second. do it a third time, and you're fired.

Posted by: caitlin at 08/02/06 12:52 AM | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

GET GET GET GET GET OVER IT!!!

Posted by: Eric at 08/02/06 1:58 AM | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

fuck that, they can juice it all they want. you know you'll watch it even if they do it another 5 times.

Posted by: Joe at 08/02/06 2:42 AM | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

i think it's great. i'm a huge ok go fan and what made them semi-popular was the dancing video... so who can blame them for sticking with what worked?

Posted by: Annalise at 08/02/06 2:48 AM | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

I never saw the original video, and I liked that one a lot.

Posted by: d at 08/02/06 7:33 AM | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

let's everyone take a moment to read ben's comment. he's just taken the PSAT, but wants us to believe he's old enough to go to hipster bars.

THAT VIDEO RULES. Everyone's commenting like they're applying to write headlines for pitchfork. Snark is the new pink, which is to say, it's played out.

Posted by: really.... at 08/02/06 7:42 AM | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

I think if they'd staged another dance in the backyard it would have been hokey, but the treadmills are a nice twist. If nothing else, it keeps you going back to try to figure out how they managed it all without losing a limb or 8. I think the music's great, and if they have to use a little humor and ridiculous dance moves to get the music noticed then I'm all for it.

And really, this video is just hilarious.

Posted by: Jenna at 08/02/06 8:07 AM | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

You are being jaded. It's sad. They made this shortly after the last one and held onto it for a year, for fear of exactly this kind of bullsnausage. If they hadn't released it, their album would be done and that'd be the end of it and them for at least a couple of years. It's not like anyone linked to their last two non-dancing regular rock videos. So cut them some slack. They've far eclipsed their last one, and gotten people to actually hear the song again. Not bad.

(and duh--yes, it's true: I'm a very big fan!)

Posted by: stephen at 08/02/06 9:01 AM | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

Are they milking it? Maybe. But who ever heard of a musical act pulling the same gimmick over and over in their music videos? Ahem...

I think it's a very original twist on their last video and it's tons more interesting than almost anything on MTV.

I originally saw them do a routine like this to “C-C-C-Cinnamon Lips” on a This American Life tour a few years ago and it was awesome.

Screw it. Let 'em do what they want. Should they go for three? If they come up with a great idea, you bet they should.

Posted by: The Pop View at 08/02/06 9:54 AM | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

Sure, the "Million Ways" video had the internet going nuts for a minute...but are they actually selling any records? Not being snarky, but I was under the impression that their second album sorta flopped like the first one. Maybe I'm wrong.

Posted by: Alvin at 08/02/06 10:19 AM | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

i hate this band and that song, but damn that is some serious choreography. must have taken forever. it was fun to watch.

Posted by: i at 08/02/06 10:21 AM | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

"It's a lot more intersting than reading about another fucking Beirut show..."

thank you for taking the words from my brain.

same bullshit everyone said save for ben.

one, two, three strikes i'm bored.

Posted by: steve perry at 08/02/06 10:42 AM | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

i loved it

Posted by: classicgirl at 08/02/06 10:53 AM | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

When this band first came out, the vids tried to push them as a cute teen idol outfit. This is so much better.

They do great, fun power-pop and this whole one-shot, static-camera DIY stuff is a bold way to go. Embracing YouTubism -- hooray, the democritization of technology -- is one thing, but making it fun to watch for three minutes w/o f/x or edits takes a lot of creativity. If they can come up with a third variation, I hope they go for it... though I don't want to see them hauling out the treadmills during their encores.

I love that the shiny backdrop is crooked.

And now, I'm going to go watch it again.

Posted by: J at 08/02/06 10:59 AM | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

I think the concept is genius and could care less if it's a rehash of their previous video. It's engaging ,creative and really makes you feel like the band enjoys what they do.

Posted by: Keith at 08/02/06 11:38 AM | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

Before "a million ways" went huge, I saw OK GO opening for the Kaiser Cheifs in Toronto. They performed the most boring show I have ever seen. When it was finally done, they did their dance act. People went bonkers! No one gave a rats ass about their music. So I guess they've figured out what their good for.

Posted by: Michael at 08/02/06 12:16 PM | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

OK Go is the coolest! Yay for OK Go and Tim! WOOO!

Posted by: OK GO RULES! at 08/02/06 12:16 PM | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

uhhh, did someone call out the OK Go defense squad? I've never seen so much support thrown behind mediocrity on this site before...

Posted by: Jennifer at 08/02/06 2:23 PM | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

I agree with the general sentiment - as long as they kick it up a notch, then they're not recycling. As Kid A/Amnesiac are to OK Computer, this is to previous backyard choreographed homemade dancing music videos. they're a little overwrought on the fashionista hipster tip, though.

Posted by: nathan at 08/02/06 2:26 PM | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

I didn't want to like it, but damnit, I did. A lot.

Posted by: Nylund at 08/02/06 2:38 PM | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

Ok Go to do list.

1. Spend 5 dollars on a video
2. Put video on YouTube
3. Make millions in profit.

Genius.

Posted by: the billionaire at 08/02/06 3:40 PM | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

p.s.

Great title Scott. Keep up the good work.

Posted by: the billionaire at 08/02/06 3:41 PM | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

here it goes again, indeed. how clever.
i've been an OK Go fan since i was twelve [i'm sixteen now], and i love this.
i liked the "virtual insanity" video, but i still think that this is original. you know, other than their previous nerd-dancing video.
let it continue.

Posted by: rue. at 08/02/06 4:45 PM | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

im pissed i didnt think of it first

Posted by: d at 08/02/06 11:15 PM | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

Um, The OK Go are the new Smithereens. And no, that's not a compliments. And they lifted that chorus riff from the coda of The Office's "Big Bang Jump" or the old MTV theme (take your pick).

Posted by: Hector Savage at 08/03/06 1:02 PM | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

I will go so far as to say that OK Go is the only reason ever to watch a music video anymore.

Posted by: Bender at 08/03/06 2:47 PM | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

its fucking brilliant. their music is too!

Posted by: Matt at 08/03/06 4:09 PM | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

Leave a comment


 

The 'Gum Drop

Get our newsletter. MP3s and giveaways weekly.

Search




Sort by:date relevance

Information

  • Contact:
  • About
  • Press
  • Advertising
  • Stereogum RSS Stereogum RSS XML Icon
  • MP3-Only RSS Stereogum RSS XML Icon

Staff

Founder/Editor-In-Chief
Scott Lapatine
Executive Editor
Amrit Singh
Senior Writer
Brandon Stosuy
Columnist
Jon McMillan
Technology & Operations
Jim Jazwiecki
Angela Williams

The Cool Kids

All Stereogum Posts