Earsucker reviews OneRepublic’s ‘Waking Up’
We have been privileged to get a review copy of OneRepublic’s “Waking Up” prior to its release date of November 17th.
The CD starts off slow, mellow, and groovy, making it a fairly easy listen. “Made For You” starts off the album with it’s melodic coolness and slow pop sounds.
Song two, “All The Right Moves” makes me think back to the eighties for some reason. It’s a great tune, and it’s just harmony in all of the right places. This has to be my favorite song from the album, thus far.
Song three, “Secrets”, starts off slowly, but builds up to a sweet ballad of beauty. Followed by “Everybody Loves Me”, which was released digitally on October 20th. This is a good pop/folk-sounding song. It’s got a groove that makes you want to move around.
“Missing Persons 1 & 2″ is a slow song, and reminds me of heartbreak and loss. It’s the perfect breakup song and should definitely be their next single. I could drift to sleep with this entire album on, it’s so lulling and melodic.
The band just released the next song, “Good Life”, digitally, yesterday and it’s easy to see why. It’s a positive, upbeat song, which gives us hope. Ryan’s vocals just lead this one in every way.
The next song, “All This Time” is a slow moving ballad that lingers with some electric piano in a way that’s smooth and longing. The vocals in this song just melt right in with the melodies within.
“Fear”, the album’s eighth song, is a happier track, yet slower and amusingly gray. It reminds me of a song that plays in the Fall when the leaves are falling from the trees…or it should be on the closing credits to “Grey’s Anatomy”.
The title track, “Waking Up” is a heavier track from the rest of the album. It really sets itself apart as the most upbeat song from the entire album and is reminiscent of something U2 would sing. Kudos.
“Marchin’ On” has to be my least favorite of the songs. It’s okay, but it’s not grabbing me like “All The Right Moves” or “Fear”. This would be the song that I’d click through if I were listening to this in my car.
The final song, “Lullaby” is just that…something that you could put on as you lay down to sleep as you gently nod off into the night.
Overall, it’s a great album!
Editor’s Note: Earsucker.com was not paid for this review.
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p>Thanks Roberta for a much more balanced review than most that actually bothers to comment on tracks individually. A lot of reviewers are just happy to pigeon-hole OR as bland and formulaic without giving them credit for the time they have spent in the business and effort they put in. Great pop songs like All the Right . . .may not be overly original but they don’t just grow on trees either. The pick though is Secrets which will be filling stadiums out for years to come. It’s my song of the week and you can read my review at my link.
Comment by JamesB — November 11, 2009 @ 3:31 pm
Hi Earsucka, Is this your full time job? I hope not, very child like writting ability and approach to wrtting a review.
If you need some tip let me know xx
Comment by Kris Kriteec — November 16, 2009 @ 8:33 pm
Interesting comment from someone who can’t spell properly. It’s my site and if you don’t like it, please feel free to remove yourself. Kthxbye.
Comment by roberta — November 16, 2009 @ 9:09 pm
that’s very rude.
Comment by vball14 — November 16, 2009 @ 9:25 pm
And it wasn’t rude that this person came to my site and insulted my review? Please if you’re going to be insulting about my writing, know how to write yourself.
Comment by roberta — November 16, 2009 @ 11:11 pm
Also Kris, any further comments will be deleted, you’re making a nuisance out of yourself by acting like a moron.
Comment by roberta — November 17, 2009 @ 11:52 pm
I’m surprised by your choices. I can’t believe you said “Marching On” was the worst track. I personally think it is the best of them all. I actually don’t really like all the right moves or Everybody Loves Me. One aspect of the album you didn’t talk about is the fact that songs drastically change. “Missing Persons 1 & 2″ started out great, but I really don’t think that the switch was a good idea. Songs should be consistent throughout, or changed masterfully. I have one last comment to make: I really think that you are being SEVERELY harsh to Kris. Deleting all future comments is just mean on account of it only being one comment. And it may have sounded harsh, but I think it’s an opportunity to improve.
Comment by Jaret — November 26, 2009 @ 5:15 pm
Wow…people have been harsh on you! Goodness!
I just wanted to say thank you for writing such a balanced review; I bought the CD based on your review and I LOVE it! I really enjoyed Dreaming Out Loud and I was worried that Onerepublic would fall into the “sophmore slump”, but they fortunately haven’t done so.
Anyway, thank you for this review!
Comment by Elizabeth — December 4, 2009 @ 10:04 pm