ALBUM REVIEW: OneRepublic - Native
Aside from a few select tracks (If I Lose Myself, Feel Again), Native is drummed with a lot of mid-tempo unforgettables.
- Counting Stars - Ryan Tedder is definitely solidified himself as a songwriter, producer and music maker in the industry. Counting Stars is a more toned down mid-tempo starter to the album. His distinct vocals are memorable for the track, almost going a southern twang for the bridge.
- If I Lose Myself - This one has Apologize remnants hanging about. That’s not a bad thing, because its probably the best track on the album. The electronic synth experience between verses it takes you on is mildly breathtaking. My only gripe with this song is that it’s too formulaic. It recycles the chorus way too much. WARNING: This could be caused by me listening to it on repeat for 5 days straight. This is one of the OneRepublic tracks that will be remembered in their tenure.
- Feel Again - an upbeat head banger and hand clapper, Feel Again pushes the range of Tedder. The melody and production really shines through on this track. I can’t help but think that’s its a prime candidate for an osteoporosis commercial (side effects include jamming out and “feeling again”). Ask your doctor if you feel faint of breath after listening to this song, or of pop euphoria lasts longer than 4 hours, which is about the shelf life of this song.
- What You Wanted - “They say the best love is insane.” What You Wanted resembles a little Angels & Airwaves, but not as emo. I was wishing the song would be over with quicker. And yes, “that’s what I wanted.”
- Light It Up - Falsetto and rock may work for The Black Keys, but it doesn’t work here. Too much mid-tempo rock, and too little stylized vocals. No substance!! Come on guys, you’re better than this.
- Can’t Stop - Now this is more like it. Hard hitting drum patterns with gritty and contemptuous, yet facetious, lyrical delivery. Very theme-ridden, and very 90’s. Vocals hit it where it counts (resolving the chorus). “I cant stop thinkin’ ‘bout us anymore.”
- Au Revoir - Bust out the tissues. It’s a goodbye ballad (could you tell?). “All these rooms don’t fit / All these stars can quit / What a peculiar state we’re in / What a peculiar state we’re in.” So much with so little. The melody could use a little work, but RTedd’s (can I make that a thing?) vocals more than make up for it.
- Burning Bridges - Basically ripping off their own Good Life, they hastily “burn the bridges” of the beat down. It’s good if only for that.
- Preacher - Slower, yet still poppy. Very grandiose; epic, even. Has a little Phil Collins influence in it. “He’d talk about God like he was something like a teacher. You can never spend his wealth.” Inspiring on faith and religion. Getting the choir in the background in the second verse supports the thematic delivery.
- Something’s Gotta Give - Slowest. Build up. Ever. Right when you feel like it might be going somewhere, it ends. But I don’t really care to find out what it’s gotta give.
- Life In Color - A little more upbeat track suitable for the radio or a gym cardio mix. Not a bad track to close out the average outing. The higher register in Tedder’s vocal prowess is a bit out of place, though.
Must Listen Tracks:
- Counting Stars
- I Lived
- If I Lose Myself
- Can’t Stop
- Something I Need
- Preacher
Song most likely to be on Grey’s Anatomy or some other crappy romantic comedy with old people: Something I Need - Instantly a radio track. “And if we only die once, I wanna die with you.”
Song most likely to be nominated for a high school or college graduation: I Lived - BOMB.com. A song about not living with regret, it goes through a journey of living life to the fullest. Strongly resembles Marching On, which is a VERY good thing.
VERDICT:
There are only a few songs I’ll really remember a year from now. And this offering provides evidence that the pop-rock genre is only getting more muddled and less intriguing. Which is very unfortunate.
Where’s the emotion from Goodbye, Apathy? What about the innovative spontaneity of Good Life? Where’s the commanding cadence of Marching On? Sub-par effort, but congrats Timbo for cashin out with two top 10 albums in two straight weeks.
Also, I’m pretty sure some poor soul has a wolf howling at the moon T-Shirt that closely resembles this album cover.
Spend or Stream?? Definite stream
(Source: Spotify)
A blog about the latest buzzworthy music as well as thoughts and analysis on the music industry. I think about music from a business perspective and what sounds good to listen to. Some of it falls under Top 40, but good quality music is always something to write about. I like hip-hop, pop and alternative music, but also enjoy some country and techno.
