The Go! Team – Rolling Blackouts
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So what genre exactly is The Go! Team? Pop, hip-hop, garage rock, alternative dance, or a list of various others? The answer to these questions is all of the above, as The Go! Team dabbles between many different genres, if not plain and simply their own unique combination of sounds. To me, this distinct variety that makes up this group is refreshing while swimming through a sea of simple pop albums. However, at times the group can sound a tad bit too hyper, and the variety can become a little lost on the ears of previous listeners.
This facilitating sound is apparent from the first song to the fourth. On the first track, “T.O.R.N.A.D.O,” those letters are spelled out from the very beginning, with what sounds like a full band of horns, akin to something you would hear perhaps as a pep rally. As you suppress the urge to yell “go tornadoes!” the song ends and transitions to “Secretary Song,” which begins with some chanting like that of the first, but then moves to more of a pop sound, with subtle string work and tinkling sounds of percussion. At this point, it seems like The Go! Team might only have two tricks up their sleeve, but then they keep adding more to their repertoire.
On “Apollo Throwdown,” a flat out dance groove is thrown down. Gone are the pep-rally and pop sounds, and here are electronic beeps and almost rap (well rap to a white girl like me). If you can make it through this one without tapping your feet, then congrats, you’re a hard ass! This song is a free-flowing all out party-ready groove, encompassing the crazy energy this group has. Following this outburst of energy and dance tunes comes a complete turn in the form of “Ready to Go Steady,” which takes a sort of 70’s sound based off the slightly echoed drums. It’s hard to believe that these two songs back to back are even the same group, as they sound drastically different
If you are a long time fan of this band, then you know that this in not music for just any old day, but music for days that need a boost of explosive energy that The Go! Team offers. A certain mood is required for this group, and Rolling Blackouts is a sure testament to this. At the same time, if you have been a long time fan of this band, then nothing is that new for you in respect to their sound; it’s the same energy, and not a lot of new aspects that keep old timers’ attentions. As hard as this may be to believe, The Go! Team has lost the freshness that they once had. Granted, Rolling Blackouts is nothing to turn your nose up at, but it’s not something to stop everything for.
[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/thegoteamvoiceyrchoice.mp3]Download: The Go! Team – Voice Yr Choice [MP3]