Friday, October 29, 2010 By Hana Bae RUNNER RUNNER: Band members, left to right, Jon Berry, James Ulrich, Ryan Ogren, Peter Munters and Nick Bailey release new album, So Obvious, with more hit songs that are catchy. - Wikipedia Advertising Up and coming band, Runner Runner, releases new album (Oct. 28, 2010) -- The new band Runner Runner, getting some attention as David Letterman’s first record label, consists of two surfers, a motorcyclist, a road bicyclist and a “studio rat.” Lead vocalist Ryan Ogren, guitarists Nick Bailey and Peter Munters, bassist Jon Berry and drummer James Ulrich, have finally released their self-titled debut and first album, So Obvious, after much hard work. Although each of them have different interests and personalities from each other, they have united to write songs that people can relate to and connect to in some way. Through many difficulties the band faced, they turned to music as an outlet to relieve their stress, which makes their lyrics very realistic. Many people can easily relate to each song in their own way, especially if someone is going through a break-up. There’s a whole variety in their album from songs that are fast and upbeat to songs that are calming but doesn’t-make-you-want-to-sleep kind of songs. Even the music video for “So Obvious” is very entertaining; the story is unique – it’s about the band going to a party only to find everyone on their cell phones – so closely related to our generation now with laugh out-loud moments and an ironic ending. In the music video, it’s so obvious that each of the members is unique in his own way, yet when they come together to perform, they’re phenomenal — hopefully they’re great live, too. The downside to the songs that may repel some music lovers is the provocative lyrics in some of their songs, but on the bright side, not all their songs have provoking lyrics, like “Papercuts” and “Hey Alli.” Do not let the titles of the songs deceive you, because reading the titles of some songs, such as “Papercuts”, you may be thinking, “Is this an emo-punk song?”, but it’s far from it. After listening to it once, you will realize the songs are different from what you were expecting, and you will fall in love with the instruments, lyrics and Ogren’s voice. They’re like the “ooh, let’s see if any of their concerts are in L.A.”-kind-of-band and everyone needs to give it a chance before hating it. The songs can be put on replay because they’re not the annoying songs that you can’t get out of your head. As guitarist Nick said in an interview on their website, “Music has the power to heal the soul in some magical way. One song can change everything.”

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