Dreampilots: Poised for Takeoff

Norwegian Christian (but not preachy) rockers experience culture shock pusuing U.S. radio play

Here at ReMixed, we check out 100-odd singles a week , and most of the time, I'm sorry to say, our reaction is "Next!" But something about these guys from Norway simply wouldn't go away-and pushed them to the top of our pile this month. In fact, we're listening to Dreampilots' debut "Comedown" over and over again, wondering why it's so damned fascinating

Listening to Comedown The First Time...

The Dreampilots are decidedly a Christian band, but definitely not a preachy one. That's enough for me; I'm already caught up hook, line and sinker.

Make no mistake, your editors prefer our music dogma-free, but these guys in their pilot getups are so sophisticated — and so disarming — that they've blasted past even our commie sensibilities. Though the 'pilots don't preach, they do testify, after a fashion; in fact, many of their songs are about headache, spiritual emptiness and the struggle to overcome hard-luck parts of their past.

"We definitely think Jesus is the way," says lead singer Oddi Nessa, who's surprisingly candid and thoughtful for a guy who's been in the game and recording since age 14. "But we're not a worship band. We don't want to make religious music, we just want to make good music." Think U2, which has been known to reference Jesus more than once but would never be mistaken for the old-time gospel hour - seems to us that Dreampilots is in good company.

The breakout single from the album, "Come Down," a perfectly-produced, hook-laden pop gem, is a plea to a drug-addicted friend Nessa watched spiral downward: "If you ever come down / look me up / If you ever come down / let me know." Repeat chorus till you can't get the durned thing out of your end.

I reflect on this as I sing along with the chorus of Come Down, and decide that the tune is both sincere and charming. Pretty impressive way to spill your heart.

Listening to Comedown The Second Time...

Now I'm on another run through "Come Down." Noting the agreeable bluesy sound to lead singer Nessa's tenor. Loving the way excitement builds from the first few tense guitar licks, broadens out and climaxes in the chorus.

This time through the album, what stands out is the 'pilots range, which strays well beyond the pop hooks of Come Down.

For example, in "Begging You," the point-of-view character in the song is having a personal meltdown: he "has no excuses left" — "He's begging you to call me / telling me you love me." It's all mushy until the threatening, crunchy guitars come back, and make it pretty clear that our Oddi is no pushover. On the other hand, Nessa insists that this is about hunger for spiritual connections, not a lover or spouse. (Either way, it kicks butt.)

Taking a break to watch the video for Comedown and noting, amused, that Oddi has those elfin Norwegian features; looks like he belongs in Lothlorien. (Sorry for being a provincial American!)

Listening to Comedown The Third Time...

Nodding my head and rocking out once again. Wondering if Dreampilots plan to come to the U.S. (The answer is "probably," according to Darren Bowls of indie label Red Hammer Records, which signed the band about a year ago)

This time, the just-right rhythm section stand out. Drummer Karl Oluf Wennerberg does just what brilliant drummers are supposed to; he provides a great rhythmic spine and drive for the 'pilots without doing any showboating.

Now I'm grooving to "Stones," which though still nicely bouncy and sincere-and the most explicitly Christian. ("Let he who is without sin throw the first stone.") It's a bit stilted and the words don't flow as well as the other singles but the harmonies definitely land. (My sense is that the Dreampilots aren't comfortable preaching directly; maybe they shouldn't push it?)

Ultimately, tunes like "Broken Man" and "Pick Me Up" come back to the close the deal – to remind you that the pilots' music isn't pious or cute. They both pack a lot of emotion into small, tight lyrical packages and fill you up with generous helpings of smart guitarwork. I definitely didn't leave hungry.

Epilogue

Unless you listen to Christian radio, don't expect to hear the Dreampilots just yet. They're doing pretty well on the Christian charts but Red Hammer hasn't begun pushing them on "secular" stations, Bowls told us.

We predict that when "Come Down" hits the secular charts it stands a chance of going critical. Marketing their act both religious and secular world may be a bit tricky but once they do, we think Americans are going to love these guys. If you've got sincerity, skill and drive you can help but win when you've got their jobs. We're looking forward to their arena shows!