Album review: One Republic

By: Matt McRae

Posted: 11/22/07

One Republic
Dreaming Out Loud

Dreaming Out Loud is the debut album by alt-rock band One Republic.

The quintet is headed by singer-songwriter and record producer Ryan Tedder. The group has experienced some changes in their roster since its creation, but the founders, Tedders and high school chum Zach Filkins, seem to have found a line-up that is a perfect fit.

Tedders and Filkins have seen their passion come to fruition as of late. Timbaland signed One Republic to be the first rock band under the Mosley Music Group, a branch of Interscope.

One Republic gained a large following thanks to Myspace, but they experienced the push they needed from the remix of their song "Apologize" on Timbaland's album Shock Value. The single was not the original version of the song. The original version is on Dreaming Out Loud, as well as the remix which is a hidden track.
Dreaming Out Loud has allowed fans as well as newcomers a chance to hear more than the radio side of One Republic. DOL is uplifting and self-examining. With its soul-searching lyrics, it is hard not to reflect on yourself while listening to it.

DOL is overall an excellent debut album. However, it is hard not to compare the band to Coldplay or The Fray. The highlights of DOL include "Stop and Stare," "All We Are," "Someone to Save You," the original version of "Apologize" and the absolutely beautiful "Come Home." These songs show great promise for One Republic.

B+