Dreaming Out Loud

OneRepublic

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 20, 2007)
• Original Release Date: November 20, 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Interscope Records
• ASIN: B000WMEAKC
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (96 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,198 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

If, like most of the pop-listening public, you heard Timbaland's chart-topping remix of OneRepublic's single "Apologize" before you heard the original, you may be mildly confused about what kind of music the band makes. Timabaland's signature electronic swizzles and "eh-eh-eh"s leave the impression that OneRepublic is a style-heavy outfit a la Maroon 5, but frontman Ryan Tedder's plaintive words and woebegone themes don't fall far from forerunners Keane, Coldplay, and the Fray. Dreaming Out Loud chisels away at the dichotomy. "Apologize," stripped of its swizzles, is a gorgeous modern rock song made all the more gorgeous by the urgency in Tedder's striking, unscuffed voice, and a lot of the songs on this record stack up similarly. Which is to say that, although tracks like "Tyrant" and opener "Say (All I Need)" wrap themselves around some seriously stylish production, substance is really this band's thing. A piano played by turns ferociously and tenderly drives the point home, and so do some choice lyrics; if you are inclined to choke up at feelings laid bare, check out "Goodbye, Apathy" and "Come Home" at your own risk. --Tammy La Gorce

Product Description

OneRepublic considers its music to be influenced by everyone from the Beatles to U2, and anything in between. "We're no respector of genre," says frontman Ryan Tedder, "If it's a good song or a good artist whether rock, pop, indie or hip hop, they've probably influenced us on some level...nothing's new under the sun, we're a sum of a bunch of parts." They aspire to move their listeners the way Bono does onstage. "You go to a U2 concert and it's like church," Tedder says. "I'd love to make people feel like that. I don't want someone to just say, `Oh, nice voice, nice song.' I want that person to walk away and feel like he or she has had a religious experience; we want them to feel moved."

The band was formed in Colorado by Tedder and high school classmate Zach Filkins. The pair moved to Los Angeles, where they picked up fellow Coloradan, guitarist/keyboardist Drew Brown and drummer Eddie Fisher. The band's most recent inductee, Brent Kutzle, plays bass and adds something extra to live shows with his classical cello. In addition to his work with his own band, Tedder is a Grammy nominated writer & has written & produced tracks with/for various other artists, including Natasha Bedingfield, Jennifer Lopez, Lil' Jon, Paul Oakenfold, t.A.T.u., Bubba Sparxxx, Tupac and uber-producer Timbaland. A remix of OneRepublic's song "Apologize" is featured on Timbaland's album, Shock Value.

The song "Apologize" explores the personal pain of multiple relationships gone awry and the necessity of moving on, while "Stop and Stare" describes the common frustration of getting to a place in life where you think, "How in the world did I end up here, this isn't where I wanted to be, watching what I wanted pass me by." "The lyrics have shades of melancholy, and there is a definite emotional undercurrent running through them," says the band. "If you can't tap into emotion, you're just selling catchy tunes."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Apologize is not the sum of it's parts, April 1, 2008

By	Psboston7 "~ And so it Goes ~" (Upland, CA United States) - See all my reviews

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

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Watch Out Coldplay, OneRepublic Releases Solid Debut, November 20, 2007

By	S. Moore - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars OneRepublic's messages shine through on 'Dreaming Out Loud', November 20, 2007

By	M. D. "musikfan05" (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews

MySpace phenoms OneRepublic give it their all on their Interscope release `Dreaming Out Loud.' The LA-based band, which was introduced to the general public by Timbaland through his remix of the band's hit single "Apologize," succeeds in proving they are much more than a novelty act.

OneRepublic kick off their debut major release with the U2-sounding "Say (All I Need)," which boasts a big-budget production value and lead singer Ryan Tedder displays his falsetto better than anyone in recent memory. The most emotional song on `Loud' is without question "Come Home," as Tedder tells the story of relationships, focusing on one between himself and the one he loves. But the underlying message is transferable to almost any situation in which the struggle for love to win the battle is present.

Besides the two versions of "Apologize," which are lyrical and production masterpieces, `Loud' includes a slew of worthy follow-up singles like "All We Are," "Prodigal," "Mercy," and most notably second single "Stop & Stare." What makes these tracks rise above other bands' works are without question the lyrics. Almost anyone who has an alright voice and can play piano can produce something that sounds good, but if the lyrics don't mesh, the result is something underwhelming. OneRepublic's promotion of solid values and ability to focus on positive subjects help them connect with the listener and sets them apart from other bands that are big at the moment.

OneRepublic show an edgier side in tracks like the up-tempo "Tyrant" and the riotous "Someone to Save You," but they still retain the positive message present in the album's previous tracks. In "You," Tedder sings of saving his friend and takes part in a rousing, soulful final chorus.

The lowest point on `Loud' is "Won't Stop," and that's only because it is boring. Another lackluster song is "Goodbye Apathy," which includes a very repetitive chorus.

Needless to say, OneRepublic easily prove they are not just "The Fray of 2007" on `Dreaming Out Loud.' Their ability to offer both up-tempo radio anthems and heartfelt, moving ballads put them on an elite playing field. One they should be around to play on for years to come.