Ditz

Issue date: 11/2/09 Section: Can You Hear Me Now

Owl City Ocean Eyes

Take the sound production of Postal Service, add a dash of pop/alternative sound, and blend that with a sizable dose of Relient K and you have Owl City. I first came across this one-man band while listening to my Postal Service Pandora station at work, and I was immediately hooked on this dreamily eccentric mix.

Released on July 14, 2009, Owl City's Ocean Eyes album can best be described as Pop/Electronica, but it goes far beyond that. And damn, does it have a feel-good appeal to it.

Adam Young, who composes all his music and sings vocals, admits on his MySpace Page that he prefers dreams over reality and describes his music as "keyboard smoothies." This is not a description I could have thought up on my own, but it certainly is accurate.

The lyrical content of the songs is often dreamy and not focused on deep, complex emotions like your average emo bands (Dashboard Confessional, anyone?). For example, the ode to Seattle song titled "Hello Seattle" (my personal favorite) is full of fluffy lyrics in which he describes himself as a mountaineer, a crescent moon, and an old lighthouse.

But here's the thing: the songs are so easy on the ears that I don't mind the dreamy focus. Every once in a while, a song comes along that just catches my ear and quickly works its way onto my iTunes Top 25 list. Currently several tracks from Owl City have made their way to the top of mine.

If you're looking for an album that will delve deep into the intricacy of life around you, Owl City may not do it for you. But if you're looking for some easy listening that you can dance to in your room or enjoy as you lay in the park on a crisp fall day, I suggest you give Owl City a chance.

Some of the highlights from Ocean Eyes include:
3. "Hello Seattle"
5. "The Saltwater Room"
8. "On The Wing"
9. "Fireflies"

On the flip-side, there are really only two songs I recommend skipping: "Tidal Wave," and "If My Heart Was a House."

One final note: I came across this music video on Youtube that isn't actually the official video for the song, but, in my opinion, is way better. Whoever made it should be signed to do this work professionally:



Track Listing Owl City Ocean Eyes Album:
1. Cave In
2. The Bird and the Worm
3. Hello Seattle
4. Umbrella Beach
5. The Saltwater Room
6. Dental Care
7. Meteor Shower
8. On The Wing
9. Fireflies
10. The Tip of the Iceberg
11. Vanilla Twilight
12. Tidal Wave
13. Hello Seattle (Remix)
14. If My Heart Was a House

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