Artist: OneRepublic
Album: Dreaming Out Loud
Genre: Rock
Release date: 11/20/2007
Label: Mosley Music Group/Interscope

My anticipation has been really high for this album every since knowing this group was signed to Timbalands record label and hearing their smash single "Apologize" I had really high hopes and expectations for this group. I'm glad to say this time around my expectations have been met and I feel like this is one of the most solid CDs that I have heard in awhile.

I'm not a huge rock fan but every once in awhile a band will come along that will make me a believer out of this genre. Being a new group to the scene and delivering such a solid album shows that this group will not be a one hit wonder.

I have to admit though; I did have a slight disappointment with this album. They're signed to Timbaland's label yet I don't feel like Timbaland was anywhere on this album. I was really looking forward to more tracks like "Apologize" that crossed boundaries between genres of music but was greeted with a solid rock album. Even with that, I still give this album 4.5 stars out of 5 and only -.5 due to the lack of Timbaland. This CD is a definite buy, be sure to get your copy on November 20th, you will not be disappointed!

1. Say (All I need): Wow! Great start to the album. Kind of a mid-tempo track with a smooth groove and what I believe to be a Timbaland laced track riding behind very smooth vocals. Keeps the rock element throughout but becomes more evident more on the second half of the track when the track evolves from the smooth groove to a more rockin' out type vibe. This is a great song overall with really nice lyrics.

2. Mercy: I really like this one. It has very strong lyrical content and a nice off beat kind of tempo to it. I also like the lead singer's vocals.

3. Stop and stare : This track starts out just alright to me. The beat is pretty basic but the lyrics kind a painted a picture for me. It wasn't until I got to the chorus that I was sold on this one. "Stop and stare, I think I'm movin' but I go nowhere....", Overall a pretty solid track. I hear this is going to be the second single off the album. Personally after listening to the other songs, I feel like something else would have been much better.

4. Apologize: This is the original version of the song which to me is just not as appealing as the remix. Same lyrics but this version is more piano heavy. It still is a good song I would just rather hear the remix. Lyrically this is an amazing song.

5. Goodbye Apathy: Yet another good track on this album. Has more of an R&B type beat mixed with their rock style that gives you that similar style to "Apologize" but still has a sound all it's own. I really really like this one. The lyrics are on point once again and the melody to this song really works well. I would like to hear this on the radio.

6. All fall down: Starts out a very acoustic guitar sounding song with great vocals and evolves into a full blown rock song with all the fixings. This song right here has very catchy lyrics and a really nice vibe to it. I immediately found myself my bobbing my head to it. This will definitely be one to keep on repeat.

7. Tyrant: I really like the piano solo in this song, it almost blind sides you into thinking that this song is going to be slower then it really is. This is one of those songs that really rocks out with the heavy drums and screaming electric guitar. I'm not even big on rock, personally I'm more into pop/rock but I still like this song.

8. Prodigal: One of the slower songs on the album this one starts out with no beat but a smooth melody. When the beat finally kicks in it begins with some nice acoustic guitar followed by a heavy drum line. For those that know the story of the prodigal son, this song will make total sense..."Run away, run away, run away like a prodigal...." says the chorus.

9. Won't stop: Guitar heavy song that tends to ride along. The song itself almost sounds like it should have been a slower song yet was paired up with a faster tempo that brings a different element to this song. The vocals are really great on this one, when the singer gets into his high range you can hear remnants of what Justin Timberlake sounds like in it. It's a really nice song overall. This one sounds much less rock than the other tracks.

10. All we are: I can definitely see this song possibly being a single. I think a cool video could be made for this as well. The lyrics create such imagery that could easily be visually appealing in a television format. This has real mass appeal from every point of this song, melody, lyrics, singing, catchy hook etc. etc. etc.; a very good track, one of my favorites.

11. Someone to save you: Another song that I would love to see be a single off the album. Has that radio appeal vibe to it and I can just see people really vibing out to this song. The ending of this song really seals my decision on this.

12. Come home: A really nice ballad that really show cases the singing talent this band possesses. I almost feel like I experienced a few bad notes on the piano part. I really hope those we're intentional. Nevertheless the writing again is amazing on this song, my favorite line is "Everything I can't be, is everything you should be"....that's just a sample of the great lyrics you'll hear on this album.

13. Apologize (remix): I'm sure most of you have heard this song now and know just how amazing it is. You can read my review of the original to see what I think about this song, the only difference with this one is the beat behind it that really makes this song what it is which is a genre breaking tracks. This is a great song and a great choice for a first single. See Video 



Aaron Fields is the Sales Marketing Coordinator for KSTW-TV in Seattle. All opinions expressed in this column are strictly his