ALBUM REVIEW: One Republic
- Posted on February 19, 2008 6:49 PM
- 2 comments
One Republic
Dreaming Out Loud
Mosley Music Group
When you listen to One Republic's "Dreaming Out Loud", you could swear that you have heard it before. And you probably have. Well not exactly, but you remember bands such as Creed, Nickleback, the Goo Goo Dolls, Good Charlotte, Hootie and the Blowfish and Matchbox 20? Of course you do, for better or worse (more worse than better). Well if you combine all of these band's songs, it will sound remarkably similar to One Republic's new album. It's called manufactured American pop rock. More appropriately, and depressingly, it is American Christian pop rock. If the CD's acknowledgements are anything to go buy, you would be surprised at the extent of the Almighty's 'hand' in the production of this album.
Unfair maybe, but for the English audience familiar with the song, "Apologise", that by sheer miracle managed to reach the top-five UK singles chart, I am sure you know what I am talking about. I wonder what would happen if you put Nickleback and One Republic in the room together. One shudders at the prospect of a "jam-on" between the two bands. Disappointingly, there is no doubt that you will be hearing more of One Republic in the next few years, on the airwaves, MTV, advertisements and even, God forbid, movies.
One Republic's lyrics are particularly offensive, with such gems as the following permeating throughout their offerings:
"I swear it's you,
I swear it's you (I swear it's you),
I swear it's you that I've waited for,
And I swear it's you,
I swear it's you (I swear it's you),
I swear it's you that my heart beats for,
And it ain't gonna stop, just won't stop".
Brilliant stuff. And what about:
"Angel of mercy,
How did you move me?
Why am I on my feet again?
And I see you,
Woah Woah, Wo-aah,
And I feel you,
Woah Woah, Wo-aah".
One Republic are really in danger of entering the realms of John Lennon's song writing ability there. Despite this, it hurts me to say it but songs such as Prodigal are blandly appealing. Well maybe that is, until you hear it on the radio one hundred times in the space of four weeks (by which time you will want to reach for your ipod and find a better place).
This is an album for the screaming teenage fan-base of One Republic only.
Related links:
One Republic MySpace.
One Republic's official site.
One Republic concert tickets and listings.
Comments (2)
Jonathan
This album is absolutely brilliant- this review is rubbish- don't listen to "CRITICS" whose own musical ability or ambition was never realized so they've resulted to tearing into something (MUSIC) which is completely subjective. This album is full of brilliant songwriting, honest lyrics, and they just put on one of the best live shows i've seen in years at Kings College 2 nights ago. STUNNING!!!! Lookout Keane, lookout Coldplay, lookout all of em.
Posted on March 7, 2008 3:04 AM
Rebecca
I also saw them live on Wednesday 5th March - I found them to be massively talented and refreshingly lacking in cynicism . They created an amazing atmosphere of resounding glee and plainly love what they're doing. There was no bombast. The lyrics are heartfelt, about confidence and self belief, all things we all deal with, the musicians themselves are overwhelmingly brilliant, the performace was seamless and full of soul and spirit. They did a truly unexpected and stunning cover of Duffy's current single, Mercy which you can also hear on Jo Wylie's Live Lounge. The audience left glowing and enthused and positive. No negatives, except I can perhaps see a need for another jump up and down tune as well as [Angel of] Mercy :-)
Posted on March 7, 2008 11:49 AM
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