CD Review: Ernie Haase & Signature Sound - Dream On

Rating: 4 stars

Producer: Lari Goss & Wayne Haun
Label: Gaither Music Group
Website: www.erniesigsound.com

1. Right Place, Right Time - The album kicks off with a very jazzy selection. The group starts out singing in unison, with each part gradually emerging as each phrase is sung. The last 35 seconds or so of the song adopt a very big-band, swing feel. This song was a good way to open up the project.

2. Reason Enough - The first radio single of the project may surprise the listener that only casually listens to EHSS and has never purchased one of their projects. Many know this group for their upbeat, energetic numbers. This song is in sharp contrast to that; it has a very laid-back and mellow approach. This track indeed shows a different side of this group, and this song is one of my favorites of the project. Very good lyrics and sound.

3. My Heavenly Father Watches Over Me - Watchers of the EHSS TV feature on the group's website heard this song and saw a rough sketch of its concert performance long before this project was ever given a release date. This upbeat song hearkens back to the fun side of this quartet, with tenor Ernie Haase getting the solo and being backed up by the other vocalists "doo-wop" background vocals. A built-in encore was a good touch, but the pause in between the false ending and the encore was just long enough to be awkward. Pauses like that go over better in a live setting, where applause usually fills in the silence.

4. Dream On - The project's title track features Ernie Haase in a slow ballad that faintly reminds me of the orchestration used for "Oh, What A Savior" on the group's previous project, Get Away Jordan. The choir added on the final chorus was a very nice addition.

5. Never Give Up, Never Give In - I like to think of this group as "SG on steroids," and the description holds true here. The group takes a straight up traditional quartet song and gives it a jumpstart. Bass singer Tim Duncan shines on the chorus with his low bass.

6. Since Jesus Passed By - No EHSS recording nowadays is complete without at least one Bill Gaither song. The group digs into the vault for this Gaither tune from 1966. Very nicely done version, probably the best I've heard this song done. The group encores the chorus twice, once with vocals backed by soft piano and strings, and the final time a capella with a fadeout. If you think this version is powerful, be sure to catch it live, where the group does it with just piano around two mics. Wow!

7. No Unknown Soldiers - The group turns in a ballad here that sounds like a patriotic tribute, but in reality is a song about the Army of God. Very cool song, with effects used such as a "walkie-talkie" sound in the background of the second verse to add to the soldier-esque feel. Ryan Seaton's feature on the second verse is very nice, and shows that he gets better and better with every album.

8. Sundays Are Made For Times Like These - Doug Anderson is featured on this Progressive song. Sounds like something you'd hear from an old Rascal Flatts album. Anderson's voice fits this style very well.

9. A Good Heart - This tune penned by Ernie Haase, Joel Lindsey, and Sue Smith is very slow and soft throughout, going for the lullaby sound. It's a very touching lyric, especially for those who have kids.

10. Between The Cross And Heaven - The jazzy sound is utilized again on this bouncy tune. Nothing really caught my attention here.

11. Are You Enjoying The Show - Basically, this is an extended version of the intro to EHSS TV. I wonder why this was included on the CD, rather than being only the DVD. It doesn't really add anything to the project.

12. The Old Landmark - Another favorite of mine from this project, this song is very similar to the group's version of "Get Away Jordan." The group takes an old song (both Statesmen songs) and modernizes it. This high-energy rendtion works very well in accomplishing that. For those wanting to compare the two, here is The Statesmen's version, and the EHSS one.

13. Out Of Bondage - This Bill Gaither song from 1992 apparently laid around for years before this group picked it up. It sounds like a Gaither Vocal Band song. Doug Anderson and Ryan Seaton do a good job on their solo features here. I doubt this will go down as one the group's hits, but it is a good song.

14. We Need Each Other - This song about friendship seems to reflect the strong bond each of the group members has with each other. This is a good way to close the album (well, the studio portion of it, anyway.)

15. My Kind Of Town (Live) - The group stuck this track from the DVD of this album on the end. It's not the same as watching it, so I usually just turn the album off after the previous track.

Final Thoughts: The latest effort by Ernie Haase & Signature Sound shows many sides of the group. Songs like "Reason Enough" show the listener that the group has an alternative sound to the energetic, in-your-face SG the group is known for. The group's fun side comes out in the more jazzy numbers like "Right Place, Right Time." And of course, the group pays tribute to the old songs with stuff like "Since Jesus Passed By" and "The Old Landmark."
All in all, everyone will probably find at least one thing they like on Dream On.