It is harder than ever before for a single band or artist to cut through the disorder of modern life. The powers of anyone or group to unity listeners in a common movement or inspire a generation are on the wane, but music retains the potential to entertain and inspire individuals. Rob Alexander’s third studio album Dream Out Loud is a collection that grapples with life on life’s terms yet sounds an undeniably affirmative note both lyrically and musically. Gabe Lopez produced his first two albums and this, their third collaboration, rates as Alexander’s finest effort thus far. These are thirteen songs with a tight command of fundamentals and a thoroughly modern sound.
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Alexander understands the importance of a memorable opener. It obviously sets a tone for everything that follows but it is, likewise, a statement of purpose. “Yesterday’s News” doesn’t reflect this in its lyrics. The music, instead, surges out of the speakers with high-wire vitality and captivates your attention. Its guitar work slices through the mix, putting an emphatic exclamation point on the track’s mood, and the propulsive drumming engages listeners. Davey Johnstone’s guitar playing has an even stronger effect on the album’s title song. “Dream Out Loud” has one of the album’s best lyrics that avoids cliché. This fact highlights the level of mature artistry Alexander brings to this release. It may be his third album, but Alexander sounds like he’s decades into this journey and at the height of his powers.
The firm electronica direction of “Instant Sex” doesn’t preclude some traditional instruments. Sharp jabs of guitar pierce through the mix and the bass playing retains a natural sound, but the synthesizers possess a warm ambiance. This is obviously geared to a pop audience rather than exuding the same mass appeal of other Dream Out Loud tracks but, nevertheless, one of the album’s best. “A Song to Get Us Through” will enjoy perhaps more popularity than it might have otherwise thanks to the events of the last year plus, but it deserves the attention.
It blends piano, guitar, drums, and bass, classic ingredients, into a concoction full of individual flavor. The piano, especially, surrounds this track with a level of grandeur it otherwise lacks and serves as a second vocalist of sorts complementing Alexander’s voice. His singing brings great drama to the song’s words and are fitting for some of the best writing on this release. “Oliva” is another great late album track. The chorus will be, for many listeners, one of Dream Out Loud’s best and that’s high praise. Alexander attacks this part of a song like he may perhaps be the final singer to ever perform a chorus and they invariably provide peak moments in many songs.
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“Look Out Below” mixes brassy pop rock with much more atmospheric Latin-influenced fare throughout the verses. It maintains an authoritative stomp between the verses and during the chorus but tempers that wallop and its mid-tempo pace never threatens to overwhelm listeners. “Game Over” is quite unlike many of its predecessors, its overt theatricality breaks with the radio-friendly designs imposed upon many of the earlier tracks, but nonetheless ends this release with great skill and an eye towards the future. Rob Alexander’s Dream Out Loud clearly shows this powerhouse singer is as committed as ever to connecting with listeners.
Chadwick Easton