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Things are rarely so straightforward. As is so often the way, this painfully shy artist was, in ironic truth, more suited to his bedroom than the charts. That the third, best and warmest Owl City album, 2011’s All Things Bright and Beautiful, enjoyed comparatively modest sales did solve one problem: Young wasn’t going to endure the stresses brought by a mass audience. But it also created many more, not least what to do next.
Surprisingly, he’s gone for the commercial jugular. Welcoming as Young’s previous work was, it was always underpinned by that gentle bedroom sensibility. This time he’s not so much come out of the pop closet as kicked the doors down, hence Good Time’s scarf-waving, anthemic chorus; Embrace sounding like a less-camp Erasure; and Metropolis hurtling along like the long-lost New Radicals.
And, while Young has never been averse to collaboration, it’s still a surprise not just when Blink-182’s Mark Hoppus turns up to bellow the thudding Dementia, but that Young has allowed outside producers including Stargate, soundcrafters for Shakira, Rihanna, Beyonce and, of course, S Club 7, to shape his world.
The downside to this rampant expansion of sound could have been a corresponding dip in warmth, but Young has turned out to be a smoother, less-desperate operator than you might imagine. He has no fear of dance, and while the Stargate-helmed Shooting Star owes much to another of their creations, Katy Perry’s Firework, there’s a familiar touching vulnerability to the piano ballad Silhoutte (“I can’t put to bed these phobias and fears”) and Take It All Away, his most musically daring moment.
If this gamble works, Owl City will be huge again and, this time, Young sounds like he wants it. If the downwards spiral continues, he’s still made a brave and bold addition to what is increasingly looking like a catalogue to relish.
--Paul Whitelaw
Find more music at the BBC This link will take you off Amazon in a new window
Product Description
Customer Reviews
Newbies
This is mostly an upbeat pop album with very catchy hooks, dance beats and polished production. If all you've heard so far is "Good Time" on the radio then that's a good indication of how many songs on this album are going to sound - albeit with different feels and tempos. There are also a couple of slower and quieter numbers on here that add some contrast.
What sets this apart from any other pop albums? The lyrics are clean, positive, affirming and a little bit spiritual. All the songs (bar one) were written or co-written by Adam Young and he played almost all of the instruments on this album. He's a very talented chap.
Die-hard fans
This is mostly an upbeat pop album with very catchy hooks, dance beats and polished production! If all you've heard so far is "Of June", "Maybe I'm Dreaming", "Ocean Eyes", "All Things Bright and Beautiful" and a little bit of Port Blue and Sky Sailing then that's NOT a good indication of how any songs on this album are going to sound! Think "Umbrella Beach" meets "Kamikaze" and you'll not be far off.
Definitely a more commercial sound on this album, and this might turn some fans off. Having said that all the songs are really well written and executed, with strong melody and rhythm. Lyrically they are a bit simpler than previous albums - but this does suit the style.
I'm enjoying listening to the new direction taken on this album; time will tell if these songs are growers or throwers - but so far the indications are positive!
For anyone who hasn't heard the Shooting Star EP or Good Time I would definitely recommended this album, as those songs are pretty awesome. The other songs on the album are still alright, but I wouldn't call them vintage Owl City or as good as songs from All Things Bright and Beautiful.
My issues aside I would still recommended this album to pop fans or Owl City fans
Album PROS:
- Fun songs
- Catchy
- Well produced
- Enthusiastic and encouraging lyrics
- Honest (Silhouette)
-... Read more
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