Used To Dream
Chad Perrone
May 23, 2006
Independent release
Chad Perrone
May 23, 2006
Independent release
Chad Perrone, formerly known from Averi, debuts with this fantastic solo album. Similar to Joe Hedges, Graham Colton, Howie Day & Duncan Sheik, there’s a new singer/songwriter with a powerful voice on the front. Massachusetts-based Chad Perrone already showed us his quality in his time with the band Averi, but adds a new dimension to his music by going solo. His lyrics seem even more thoughtful and his vocal presence gets amplified more. The songs are mixed and produced carefully, better than I expected before listening to the CD. From the similar artists I named, I want to compare Chad with Howie Day especially, cause both singer/songwriters manage to get a similar vibe in their music. Decent, well-written songs, led by a vocal melody and powerful vocal abilities. But Chad displays a sound of his own cause his voice is slightly more distinct than Howie’s. The guy has a talent for putting the right vocal power to a song to make the emotion/feel of the song just right. If you are into mainstream pop/rock with an alternative twist, for example Howie Day, Jason Mraz, Syd, Patrick Thomas, Duncan Sheik, Gavin deGraw Graham Colton, David Poe, Better Than Ezra, Collective Soul, July For Kings, Welbilt, Counting Crows and also Hanson, you are gonna enjoy this album for sure. It’s very professional and it sounds just right. Give it a try and don’t throw it away if you’re not convinced after listening to it for the first time, cause for some people it might take a spin or 2 to get used to his harmonies and melodies. But trust me, it’s worth your time.
What I’ve Become
This first track on the record starts with an interesting intro. And one thing that you notice right away are the keys in the track. Very subtle though. Then Chad starts singing and his voice reminded me of Howie Day & Graham Colton right away. Then he sets in the chorus and that part will get stuck in your head, it has a catchy, Gavin deGraw-like rhythm/melody and just sounds cool. The instrumentals on this track are subtle but very well thought of. Interesting keys and drums are displayed through all of the song. And Chad shows that his voice is very powerful. This song, if released as a single, could skyrocket to the top of the charts. Refreshing and well-performed.
Waterfall
This song starts off right away, with an interesting rhythm. Reminds me of later July For Kings material meets Graham Colton. Lyrically this song stands on it’s own though. The lyrics seem quite personal and cause of that Chad found a way to bring the song more alive by very very powerful and strong vocals. On this track he shows he is on par with some of the best vocalists out there today. (Adam Duritz, Dave Matthews, John Ondrasik, to name a few). The drums deserve a note, cause those are razor-sharp and together with the vocals they make this song. Not single-material, but something that could grow big during live sets.
Lie
Catchy song, a little Gavin deGraw (vocally) meets Better Than Ezra (instrumentally). This song could be used as a single, though I think it wouldn’t do as well as “What I’ve Become” might do. But maybe this would be a good first single and then “What I’ve Become” can follow up after “Lie” paved the road. This is one of the best songs on the album though, it gets stuck in my head all the time and I can’t help myself singing along to it. You can download it for free on Chad’s Myspace & on Alternative Addiction.com. I’d advise you not to wait any longer and check it out yourself. It’s a good introduction to Chad’s music. Very catchy, very interesting, very good.
Reinvent
Soft, piano-based intro leads to think this is going to be sort of a mellow song. Then the drums kick in to keep the rhythm steady. The song is more mellow than the previous three and more of a ballad. And on this ballad, Chad shows that he can do more than up-tempo, catchy pop/rock songs. It reminds me of several other singer/songwriters but none in specific. The song distinguishes itself from a lot of other singer/songwriter ballads by the strong, powerful vocals that are crystal-clear and by the top-notch production. Not my choice to be a single, but I guess it could be, as long as it’s not the first one.
Breathe
This is basically an acoustic song with interesting guitar picking. Very sweet lyrics and very well-performed. It’s a great song, but compared to the rest of the album, it doesn’t stand out in it’s originality. It does stand out in the way Chad & co. performed this song. The guitar & piano are a golden combination and fit perfectly under Chad’s enchanting vocals. Pretty much back to basic. Well done though.
Let You Sleep
Interesting song, reminds me of Radford. It took me a few listens to really appreciate this song but it did grow on me and it gets stronger every time I listen to it. Once again, it’s the vocals that stand out, but the production of this song really lifts it to a higher level too. It finds the right mix between guitar, drums & vocals. The guitar riffs merge perfectly with the piano that kicks in sometimes and this song is a good example of music that’s mainstream but yet alternative.
A Soundtrack (For The Happier Times)
I hear a little jazzy influences in this song. And vocally I think I want to compare Chad with Jason Mraz this time. Though I think Chad’s vocals are more fit for this song than Jason’s. Which, of course, makes sense if you look at the fact that Jason didn’t write this song and Chad did. The song is interesting and very well performed but it isn’t as memorable as many of the other songs. It looks like it’s a little bit of an experiment. And in no way it is a failed experiment, cause it shows how diverse Chad Perrone is. In this collection of songs it’s just a song that won’t stick as much as the other ones do. The song on itself though, is a masterpiece.
The Things We Used To Dream
I love this track instantly. It reminded me of the Dutch bands “A Balladeer” & “Solo” as well as it reminded me of a band that was big in the 60s, “Bread” to be exact. This song is the perfect example of a intelligent and awesome pop song. A little mellow and a little soft you might say. True, but what’s wrong with that? Of course it has to be something up your alley, but if it is, then you won’t be disappointed. When Chad sings “wouldn’t it be nice..” I got a Beach Boys flashback, even though it doesn’t sound anything like that BB song. For me this track might well be the polished gem on the album. Great piano playing, with a little solo toward the end and nice complementary guitar. Just a great song.
I Won’t Follow
Buffalo Springfield meets Matchbox 20. That’s my first thought. And that’s a great mix. Sometimes I think I hear some Bruce Springsteen influences but basically this song has a sound of it’s own. Definitely folk/country influences in this song though. But that suits Chad’s voice very well. This song won’t get big cause there’s not really a tradition for it. At least not lately. But this song is catchy and within the circuit of country-rock & folk/rock, this song might do some unexpected business. Awesome song.
What Comes Up Through The Floor
Probably my least favourite track on the album. Reminds me of something, even though I can’t think of what exactly. Something 60s/70s probably. That’s usually a good thing, in my opinion, but this time it just misses the climax and energy to get going. Chad sings “I’ve written this song before, I’ve sung this song before”. Well, that’s exactly my point. It’s been done before. Nothing new, and besides, it doesn’t fit with the rest of the album. Not a bad song, not a great song either.
Somewhere Beside Me
Once again, this song reminds me of the Dutch band “A Balladeer”. The way it’s built up, the vocals, the instrumentals, everything. That band basically is a singer/songwriter band too, so there are parallels. And in this song those are very strong. Both bands recently released their official debut album. (A Balladeer’s Panama & Chad Perrone’s Used To Dream). And both are critically acclaimed albums and amazing debuts. Both have a very intelligent singer/songwriter/frontman and both bands write intelligent, diverse alternative pop/rock songs that are still mainstream. That’s why I keep comparing them. Lyrically this isn’t anything new. Many other artists went up this alley, but the strong and powerful vocals by Chad Perrone and the tight instrumental performance make this song great. Maybe not single material, but definitely an outstanding track for live sets.
Once In A While
One of the best songs on the album. Catchy, single material. Astonishing vocal harmonies. Intelligent use of the piano. Tight drums and nice complementary guitar riffs. To me, this would be the perfect song to open with on live sets. I keep listening to it, cause I just can’t get enough of it. After almost 2 minutes, there’s a little guitar solo, that is very nice. And then with the finger clicking, Chad sings on. This song could turn out to be big. Keep this song in mind, cause it’s a classic in it’s own kind.
Like Riding A Bike
Acoustic song to finish up the album. Very nice song. Very easy. Lyrically one of the best songs on the album. Focus is on Chad’s vocals and with a reason. The vocals are great. This is pure singer/songwriter. Very very back to basic. And to be honest, that’s my true love in music. Just a (wo)man with a guitar or a piano and vocal power. Pure emotion. Don’t blame me for comparing this with Bruce Springsteen, Bruce Hornsby, Brian Vander Ark & James Taylor. This song impressed me deeply.
What I’ve Become
This first track on the record starts with an interesting intro. And one thing that you notice right away are the keys in the track. Very subtle though. Then Chad starts singing and his voice reminded me of Howie Day & Graham Colton right away. Then he sets in the chorus and that part will get stuck in your head, it has a catchy, Gavin deGraw-like rhythm/melody and just sounds cool. The instrumentals on this track are subtle but very well thought of. Interesting keys and drums are displayed through all of the song. And Chad shows that his voice is very powerful. This song, if released as a single, could skyrocket to the top of the charts. Refreshing and well-performed.
Waterfall
This song starts off right away, with an interesting rhythm. Reminds me of later July For Kings material meets Graham Colton. Lyrically this song stands on it’s own though. The lyrics seem quite personal and cause of that Chad found a way to bring the song more alive by very very powerful and strong vocals. On this track he shows he is on par with some of the best vocalists out there today. (Adam Duritz, Dave Matthews, John Ondrasik, to name a few). The drums deserve a note, cause those are razor-sharp and together with the vocals they make this song. Not single-material, but something that could grow big during live sets.
Lie
Catchy song, a little Gavin deGraw (vocally) meets Better Than Ezra (instrumentally). This song could be used as a single, though I think it wouldn’t do as well as “What I’ve Become” might do. But maybe this would be a good first single and then “What I’ve Become” can follow up after “Lie” paved the road. This is one of the best songs on the album though, it gets stuck in my head all the time and I can’t help myself singing along to it. You can download it for free on Chad’s Myspace & on Alternative Addiction.com. I’d advise you not to wait any longer and check it out yourself. It’s a good introduction to Chad’s music. Very catchy, very interesting, very good.
Reinvent
Soft, piano-based intro leads to think this is going to be sort of a mellow song. Then the drums kick in to keep the rhythm steady. The song is more mellow than the previous three and more of a ballad. And on this ballad, Chad shows that he can do more than up-tempo, catchy pop/rock songs. It reminds me of several other singer/songwriters but none in specific. The song distinguishes itself from a lot of other singer/songwriter ballads by the strong, powerful vocals that are crystal-clear and by the top-notch production. Not my choice to be a single, but I guess it could be, as long as it’s not the first one.
Breathe
This is basically an acoustic song with interesting guitar picking. Very sweet lyrics and very well-performed. It’s a great song, but compared to the rest of the album, it doesn’t stand out in it’s originality. It does stand out in the way Chad & co. performed this song. The guitar & piano are a golden combination and fit perfectly under Chad’s enchanting vocals. Pretty much back to basic. Well done though.
Let You Sleep
Interesting song, reminds me of Radford. It took me a few listens to really appreciate this song but it did grow on me and it gets stronger every time I listen to it. Once again, it’s the vocals that stand out, but the production of this song really lifts it to a higher level too. It finds the right mix between guitar, drums & vocals. The guitar riffs merge perfectly with the piano that kicks in sometimes and this song is a good example of music that’s mainstream but yet alternative.
A Soundtrack (For The Happier Times)
I hear a little jazzy influences in this song. And vocally I think I want to compare Chad with Jason Mraz this time. Though I think Chad’s vocals are more fit for this song than Jason’s. Which, of course, makes sense if you look at the fact that Jason didn’t write this song and Chad did. The song is interesting and very well performed but it isn’t as memorable as many of the other songs. It looks like it’s a little bit of an experiment. And in no way it is a failed experiment, cause it shows how diverse Chad Perrone is. In this collection of songs it’s just a song that won’t stick as much as the other ones do. The song on itself though, is a masterpiece.
The Things We Used To Dream
I love this track instantly. It reminded me of the Dutch bands “A Balladeer” & “Solo” as well as it reminded me of a band that was big in the 60s, “Bread” to be exact. This song is the perfect example of a intelligent and awesome pop song. A little mellow and a little soft you might say. True, but what’s wrong with that? Of course it has to be something up your alley, but if it is, then you won’t be disappointed. When Chad sings “wouldn’t it be nice..” I got a Beach Boys flashback, even though it doesn’t sound anything like that BB song. For me this track might well be the polished gem on the album. Great piano playing, with a little solo toward the end and nice complementary guitar. Just a great song.
I Won’t Follow
Buffalo Springfield meets Matchbox 20. That’s my first thought. And that’s a great mix. Sometimes I think I hear some Bruce Springsteen influences but basically this song has a sound of it’s own. Definitely folk/country influences in this song though. But that suits Chad’s voice very well. This song won’t get big cause there’s not really a tradition for it. At least not lately. But this song is catchy and within the circuit of country-rock & folk/rock, this song might do some unexpected business. Awesome song.
What Comes Up Through The Floor
Probably my least favourite track on the album. Reminds me of something, even though I can’t think of what exactly. Something 60s/70s probably. That’s usually a good thing, in my opinion, but this time it just misses the climax and energy to get going. Chad sings “I’ve written this song before, I’ve sung this song before”. Well, that’s exactly my point. It’s been done before. Nothing new, and besides, it doesn’t fit with the rest of the album. Not a bad song, not a great song either.
Somewhere Beside Me
Once again, this song reminds me of the Dutch band “A Balladeer”. The way it’s built up, the vocals, the instrumentals, everything. That band basically is a singer/songwriter band too, so there are parallels. And in this song those are very strong. Both bands recently released their official debut album. (A Balladeer’s Panama & Chad Perrone’s Used To Dream). And both are critically acclaimed albums and amazing debuts. Both have a very intelligent singer/songwriter/frontman and both bands write intelligent, diverse alternative pop/rock songs that are still mainstream. That’s why I keep comparing them. Lyrically this isn’t anything new. Many other artists went up this alley, but the strong and powerful vocals by Chad Perrone and the tight instrumental performance make this song great. Maybe not single material, but definitely an outstanding track for live sets.
Once In A While
One of the best songs on the album. Catchy, single material. Astonishing vocal harmonies. Intelligent use of the piano. Tight drums and nice complementary guitar riffs. To me, this would be the perfect song to open with on live sets. I keep listening to it, cause I just can’t get enough of it. After almost 2 minutes, there’s a little guitar solo, that is very nice. And then with the finger clicking, Chad sings on. This song could turn out to be big. Keep this song in mind, cause it’s a classic in it’s own kind.
Like Riding A Bike
Acoustic song to finish up the album. Very nice song. Very easy. Lyrically one of the best songs on the album. Focus is on Chad’s vocals and with a reason. The vocals are great. This is pure singer/songwriter. Very very back to basic. And to be honest, that’s my true love in music. Just a (wo)man with a guitar or a piano and vocal power. Pure emotion. Don’t blame me for comparing this with Bruce Springsteen, Bruce Hornsby, Brian Vander Ark & James Taylor. This song impressed me deeply.