Dreampilots - Comedown

Producer:  Dreampilots
Record Label:  Red Hammer Records
Website:  http://www.dreampilots.net

Norwegian band Dreampilots have been causing a bit of a stir here or there.  This indie band from across the pond has been turning heads - mostly because of the group’s infectious and accessible debut single (and title cut) “Comedown.”  That song sets the band up nicely - but unfortunately most of their tracks don’t live up to that - but that doesn’t make their US Christian music debut any less memorable.  Come Down is part haunting, indie rock and part Brit-rock with a bit of an underproduced sound.  The aforementioned “Comedown” is by far the highlight on this disc - but there’s also a lot more to like as well - such as “Stones” - which features a nice programmed loop and catchy melody throughout the first verse before swelling into a nice pop groove on the chorus.  The band has an early U2 vibe on many of their cuts - giving them an identifiable sound - though not that original by any standard.  “Broken Man” has a familiar Southern Rock vibe that the Norwegians do a steady job on - but again nothing terribly original is displayed.  “Eye Candy” features a haunting accompaniment, while “One More Time” showcases a hearty indie vibe.  Lyrically, the band does a pretty good job of overcoming the language barrier - and even vocally lead singer Oddi Nesse does a great job in his performances of these songs.  “Begging You” speaks of the internal war that Christians must face (“what I want to do I don’t do, but what I do I don’t want to do”), while “Walking Through Walls” picks up on the topic of Pharisaical mentality in the church.  Overall, Comedown is nowhere near the best record or most original this year - but it’s an extremely catchy and remarkably strong debut from Dreampilots.  It will be interesting to see where they go from here.  If they can continue down the path that “Comedown” (the song) started - they may have a very promising future here in the States.

Track listing:
1. Keep My Soul
2. Comedown
3. Stones
4. Eye Candy
5. One More Time
6. Pick Me Up
7. Invisible Things
8. Broken Man
9. Begging You
10. Walking Through Walls
11. Throw Myself