This debut album from OneRepublic was released in 2007 and apparently I’m the only person on the planet that didn’t get the memo.

Well, here it is again, and on a double vinyl format, which is great for the record nerd in me. It hosts 13 songs, which helped the LP reach gold status and put these youngsters on the map as the Next Big Thing.

“Say (All I Need)” opens with ambience before frontman Ryan Tedder’s heartfelt voice and Eddie Fisher’s crisp drumming enter the dreaminess that hits some pretty high notes. “Mercy” then follows with soft intimacy in between louder bouts of pop-rock thanks to Zach Filkins’ and Drew Brown’s loud guitars.

Moving along, “Stop And Stare” blends power and emotion into a sing-along anthem, while “Apologize” benefits from Brent Kutzle’s elegant cello and Tedder’s mature piano that suits the calm versus fuller dynamics.

In the middle, the playful percussion and atmosphere of “Goodbye, Apathy” makes this one of the album’s best, although “Tyrant” is a close second that thumps a bit louder, where the band inject some grit into their harmonic ways with much effect. “Prodigal” might be the most bare tune initially, where Tedder’s vulnerable pipes builds into an ebullient burst of tuneful rock.

Deeper cuts bring us the piano fueled “All We Are,” which makes great use of Kutzle’s bass, plus the soaring and meticulous instrumentation of “Somebody To Save You.” “Apologize (Timbaland Remix)” exits and injects hip-hop traces into the equation thanks to Timbaland’s creative influence.

There are two options for this release. You can either pick it up on black vinyl with the original cover, or Blue Galaxy Color Vinyl with an alternate cover. Either way, you’re getting some of the most well received pop-rock of the 2000s, and the starting point for a band who have sold millions of albums worldwide.

Rating: B

User Rating: Not Yet Rated

Comments