OneRepublic - Dreaming Out Loud

Reviewed by Tony Cummings

In case you didn't know, this excellent pop rock team, fronted by the plaintive voiced Ryan Tedder and currently in the UK charts with their song "Stop And Stare", are Christians. Cynics might suggest that their U2-style anthemic choruses and Coldplay chiming melodies are simply too cookie-cutter perfect while others might be disappointed that Timbaland's chart topping remix of the band's "Apologise" doesn't have more of an influence elsewhere as the group don't really get much more into an R&B groove elsewhere. But such criticisms miss the point. There are plenty of good songs here, "Goodbye Apathy" has some great harmonies and a radio friendly hook, "Won't Stop" is an engaging shuffle while songs like "Mercy" and "All We Are" seem destined to raise lighters around the stadia of the world. Hints of faith on several of the songs and all in all this is another example of believers pushing their way to mainstream attention.