OneRepublic Goes For Big Time Bouncy and We Reap The Rewards

Ryan Tedder strikes again. Is there no amount of charm he can't muster up that doesn't translate into a slammin' pop hit? The only answer would have to be no. He's the spark plug doubling as an amplifier spurring Colorado's OneRepublic onward to bigger and brighter futures. "Everywhere I Go" possesses all the bounce of a well worn pinball machine. What a contagious bit of kinetic energy the boys have offered. As usual a femme fatale commands the lion' share of mystery. She's the ghost in Ryan's rooms wherever he happens to lay his hat. At the first we get a lighter than air cosmic premonition edge to the whole affair. Then Ryan's mates show up to prove they aren't merely there to phone it in, pick up their royalty checks and hit the town while the mood is right. As per usual, Zach Filkins turns up the heat strumming guitar. Any song worth its salt needs its passion. You get buckets full dripping off of the man's instrument. That "Everywhere I Go" also has deep soulful pockets can be attributed to Pharrell Williams working the production helm. His contribution keeps what could have been lead weight spiritually bracing in the manner of recently slapped on aftershave. Tightly coiled at 2:49, "Everywhere I Go" gets down to business and, if you're OneRepublic business looks fairly promising. 40 seconds in Eddie Fishet barrels into the equation via drumming equivalent to the added special seasoning on gourmet meatloaf. Never takes his eye off the ball...ever. Lyrics are perfect for the listener if said listener thrives on ripped journal pages dedicated to tormnented love and the protagonist's reasons for indulging in the torment. Verse three flat out confirms what royally rigorous romance he can't talk himself out of remembering past its expiration date. I'm referring to "I don't even try looking for something new cause wherever I go I'll be looking for you." Sounds like a tormented man desperate for a hug. "Wherever I Go" isn't that brand of salve but it can bring any past relationships that have you in knots back to the forefront. The video definitely has the paramour house of horrors stigma scrawled on it. To this blogger's ears, Pharrell's handiwork proves itself so chipper you forget this is a ditty about a guy who doesn't know how to put his tryst-based demons to bed. By chipper I mean the soup he's whipped up belies what a conflicted sounding song it is. "Everywhere I Go" goes straight for the wounded heart and turns the uneasiness into what's bound to be another OneRepublic winner.