Dreaming Out Loud (Ltd Ed)

Colorado rock band, OneRepublic, releases their stellar debut album "Dreaming Out Loud." As Timbaland's special project, OneRepublic has become a recent rising success with their #1 hit "Apologize" becoming the biggest radio hit in history. "Dreaming Out Loud" is a common rock album with strong, meaningful lyrics and superior artistic production similar to that of The Fray's "How to Save a Life."

The album starts out with "(Say) All I Need" a very good rock ballad with heavy Imogen Heap-like production and soaring heartfelt vocals. The album continues with "Stop & Stare," OneRepublic's next official single. OneRepublic sings "Stop and stare. I think I'm moving, but I go nowhere. Yeah, I know that everyone gets scared. But I've become what I can't be." The album persists with strongly produced and well sung songs. The album comes to an end with the #1 hit "Apologize," featuring Timbaland. The songs on "Dreaming Out Loud" are perfectly mixed, written, and sung.

With not a bad track to be found on the entire album, OneRepublic's new album, "Dreaming Out Loud" is a solid debut fully living up to the success of their massive #1 hit "Apologize."

Download: Stop & Stare, Tyrant, Prodigal, All We Are, Apologize

4.5/5 stars

I first heard the song *Apologize* on "So You Think You Can Dance" last season... the 2 dancers that performed to it were mesmerizing and this song stayed with me after the show. Later I heard it on the radio but it wasn't the version that I had fell in love with it was a mix by Timbaland then all of a sudden EVERYONE is listening to them. I was glad that these artists got the exposure because that was just one of the good songs on this CD.

I finally purchased the CD yesterday... am Happy to report/review this is a solid CD at least 5 good songs that I liked enough to burn onto my hard drive at work to listen to. I would say about (to me) 2 different tempo variations. Nice music for a long drive or if you are like me and just like to have something playing in the background for cooking or while gardening this is perfect for that as well.

I have a listmania list titled "So You think You Can Dance & Grey'a Anatomy" music if you are interested in like artists that have this sound.

Respectfully Reviewed

If you haven't heard the Timbaland infused `Apologize' yet then obviously you don't listen to the radio (or watch TV since the new `Atonement' plugs have got the infectious chorus running through each steamy scene) and if that is the case then you're missing out on what the buzz is all about. Yes, `Apologize' may very well be the best pop song released this past year, maybe even years before it. It's strong and appealing to all genres. It has a strong rock soul with a great hip-hop flare and a beautiful message reminiscent of something you hear out of the mouth of Sarah McLachlan. Ryan Tedder and company are much more than a one hit wonder though. With their debut studio album `Dreaming Out Loud' they prove that they are here to make a name for themselves.

I had found myself a copy of their self produced album `Drowning in the Sea of Life' shortly after hearing `Apologize' for the first time and I must say that I was very happy to see the majority of that album appear here as well just remastered and polished up.

The first of these remastered tracks is `Mercy', a classic pop-rock track that is truly infectious and the definition of catchy. It's probably one of the best tracks to point to in order to single out the type of band OneRepublic really is at the core. There are two versions of the radio hit `Apologize' on the bill here, the original version that no one heard (of course it's not as rough as the `original' original) and the Timbaland remix. The two aren't all that different but in all honesty Timbaland's beats really elevate it beyond average rock track into infamy. This song will be remembered for years to come, even if the band isn't.

The second single of the album is `Stop & Stare', a catchy rock ballad that delivers despite not being as strong as some others here. It's a nice song, but nothing spectacular. I much prefer `Tyrant' although I liked the original raw version I heard off of `Drowning in the Sea of Life'. They polished it up a little too much for my taste, but it still delivers so I can't complain too much. `Tyrant' is one of their darker songs and it shows not only in lyrical weight but also in musicianship. `Goodbye, Apathy' is one of their deeper songs. Tedder has a way of pouring his heart out that makes you find yourself within his words; this way they cut much deeper.

I remember when I heard the rough version of `All We Are' and I thought it was brilliant. It's not a magnificent song musically but when you put it in its place you see that it is really a perfect pop-rock track and this polished remastered version is even better; way better. The piano laden verses create a stronger mood and make this one of the highlights of the album. I never was a fan of `Someone to Save You' and I'm still not. It just doesn't fit with the rest of the album to me. My favorite track of off `Drowning in the Sea of Life' is still by far my favorite track on `Dreaming Out Loud'; `Prodigal'. The song is just so moving and emotional for me. As Ryan's words leave his mouth and grace my ear I'm brought to this place that I can only dream music would take me. It's magical.

There are four tracks that are brand new, the opening U2 inspired `Say (All I Need)', the catchy `All Fall Down', the acoustic heavy `Won't Stop' and the somber `Come Home'. Of the four the opening and closing tracks are by far the greater. `Say' gets the album off to a great start and was a delight to hear. You can tell there was a heavy U2 influence but OneRepublic always manages to make each track their own. `Come Home' is far less catchy but far more moving. Like `Prodigal' and `Apologize' this is one of those tracks that takes me somewhere beautiful. `All Fall Down' is decent but nothing special and `Won't Stop' feels a bit too long, and that chorus gets under my skin just a tad.

In the end this album is definitely worth the money. OneRepublic have already made a big name for themselves with just one word (that word would be `apologize' for any who weren't paying attention here) but with their debut studio effort they prove that they are determined to stick around for quite a while. I, for one, hope they do.