Owl City has only recently come into the spotlight with its hit "Fireflies." Owl City is known for its unique synthpop sound and naive, lighthearted lyrics. For the sake of time and space, I will not be reviewing Owl City's two independent albums. I will only review the album that was produced under the label Universal Republic called "Ocean Eyes."
Quick Bio-
Owl City isn't an actual band with several members. The "band" actually consists of one guy named Adam Young who started out making music in his basement. Adam's unique sound was influenced by European electronic music. Adam Young first started making and recording music as a result of his insomnia. His songs soon became viral on MySpace. Adam released two indie albums of his own until he was signed to the label Universal Republic. Soon after, Adam released the album "Ocean Eyes" in June of 2009. His single "Fireflies" became widely popular and is the most-downloaded song on iTunes.
"Fireflies", by far Owl City's most popular song, is about Adam Young's imaginative dream of being hugged by thousands of fireflies. The song in itself is innocent and whimsical, and it contains many childish lyrics, such as, "I'd like to make myself believe that planet earth turns slowly," and "I'd get a thousand hugs from ten thousand lightning bugs as they tried to teach me how to dance." The music video is somewhat mysterious, containing clips of Adam Young tinkering with instruments and toys inside of a child's bedroom, presumably his own.
"Cave In" is a song about running away. Its lyrics are innocent, if not vague and confusing. Adam Young's style of writing is both descriptive and imaginative. This style is found in the chorus of "Umbrella Beach." "Home will always be here, unseen, outta sight where I disappear and hide. I think dreamy things as I'm waving goodbye, so I'll spread out my wings and fly." "Saltwater Room" and "On the Wing" are dreamy-toned love songs. "Hello Seattle" is a metaphoric song that most people seem to believe is talking about Adam's relationship with a girl instead of a city. However, Adam has a different perspective of the song.
If you're looking for a comedic song, "Dental Care" is about Adam's visits to his dentist and relating fears. On the "iffy" side, Adam sings about potential accidents involving alcohol and a golf club. "Golf and alcohol don't mix and that's why I don't drink and drive, because good grief, I'd knock out my teeth and have to kiss my smile goodbye."
"Meteor Shower" is sparing on lyrics, but it appears to be a sweet love song as well. "Tidal Wave" is a song about overcoming insecurities and fears in a relationship, while "Vanilla Twilight" is a song about missing a beloved girl that has gone away. You can envision the cold touch of winter and imagine all that lies between the lines when you hear "The Tip of the Iceberg," a poetic, wintery song.
The most "iffy" lyrics in the album come from "If My Heart Was A House" and "The Bird and the Worm." In "If My Heart Was A House," Adam sings, "Chills run down my spine as our fingers entwine and your sides harmonize with mine. Unmistakably, I can still feel your heart beat fast when you dance with me." The song does not specifically talk about a sexual encounter, but it can easily be perceived as a song about an intimate romance. You can find a similar meaning in "The Bird and the Worm." "If you're my girl, swirl me around your room with feeling and as we twirl, the glow in the dark stars on your ceiling will shine for us as love sweeps over the room, 'cause we tend to make each other blush." Again, nothing sexually explicit, but one can easily imagine what Adam may or may not be singing about. I will leave these two songs up to you to decide whether or not you choose to add them to your playlist.
Adam Young of Owl City professes himself to be a Christian, although he prefers to put his music into the mainstream industry rather than into the Christian media.
Overall, Owl City's songs refrain from cussing and inappropriate lyrics. Adam Young tends to sing about nature, life and love with naive, innocent words that uplift his fans rather than bring them down. If you are already a fan or considering becoming a fan of Owl City, then I have nothing to say against his music.
Owl City has recently toured with Relient K, a Christian rock band. Adam Young appears to be enjoying his success- and even his insomnia- at this point in his career. I'll end with a quote from the odd musician.
Credit for the pictures used in this review goes here and here.
Owl City isn't an actual band with several members. The "band" actually consists of one guy named Adam Young who started out making music in his basement. Adam's unique sound was influenced by European electronic music. Adam Young first started making and recording music as a result of his insomnia. His songs soon became viral on MySpace. Adam released two indie albums of his own until he was signed to the label Universal Republic. Soon after, Adam released the album "Ocean Eyes" in June of 2009. His single "Fireflies" became widely popular and is the most-downloaded song on iTunes.
"Fireflies", by far Owl City's most popular song, is about Adam Young's imaginative dream of being hugged by thousands of fireflies. The song in itself is innocent and whimsical, and it contains many childish lyrics, such as, "I'd like to make myself believe that planet earth turns slowly," and "I'd get a thousand hugs from ten thousand lightning bugs as they tried to teach me how to dance." The music video is somewhat mysterious, containing clips of Adam Young tinkering with instruments and toys inside of a child's bedroom, presumably his own.
"Cave In" is a song about running away. Its lyrics are innocent, if not vague and confusing. Adam Young's style of writing is both descriptive and imaginative. This style is found in the chorus of "Umbrella Beach." "Home will always be here, unseen, outta sight where I disappear and hide. I think dreamy things as I'm waving goodbye, so I'll spread out my wings and fly." "Saltwater Room" and "On the Wing" are dreamy-toned love songs. "Hello Seattle" is a metaphoric song that most people seem to believe is talking about Adam's relationship with a girl instead of a city. However, Adam has a different perspective of the song.
"I have this thing for ocean towns. Growing up in a small farm town in the middle of nowhere, and because I am an only child, daydreaming about faraway places took up a lot of my time and energy as a kid. I also like the way Seattle sounds when you say it. It has a ring to it."
If you're looking for a comedic song, "Dental Care" is about Adam's visits to his dentist and relating fears. On the "iffy" side, Adam sings about potential accidents involving alcohol and a golf club. "Golf and alcohol don't mix and that's why I don't drink and drive, because good grief, I'd knock out my teeth and have to kiss my smile goodbye."
The most "iffy" lyrics in the album come from "If My Heart Was A House" and "The Bird and the Worm." In "If My Heart Was A House," Adam sings, "Chills run down my spine as our fingers entwine and your sides harmonize with mine. Unmistakably, I can still feel your heart beat fast when you dance with me." The song does not specifically talk about a sexual encounter, but it can easily be perceived as a song about an intimate romance. You can find a similar meaning in "The Bird and the Worm." "If you're my girl, swirl me around your room with feeling and as we twirl, the glow in the dark stars on your ceiling will shine for us as love sweeps over the room, 'cause we tend to make each other blush." Again, nothing sexually explicit, but one can easily imagine what Adam may or may not be singing about. I will leave these two songs up to you to decide whether or not you choose to add them to your playlist.
Adam Young of Owl City professes himself to be a Christian, although he prefers to put his music into the mainstream industry rather than into the Christian media.
"I don't write Christian songs but I am a Christian musician so I suppose the classification of the band is up to the listener. My faith is very important to me and is a very big part of who I am as an individual. It's kind of up to you."
Overall, Owl City's songs refrain from cussing and inappropriate lyrics. Adam Young tends to sing about nature, life and love with naive, innocent words that uplift his fans rather than bring them down. If you are already a fan or considering becoming a fan of Owl City, then I have nothing to say against his music.
Owl City has recently toured with Relient K, a Christian rock band. Adam Young appears to be enjoying his success- and even his insomnia- at this point in his career. I'll end with a quote from the odd musician.
"I'd rather be happy than sad. I'd rather eat donuts than rocks. Those are my thoughts."Any input or critiques? Would you like me to review a music artist or band, secular or Christian? Leave your comments below.
Credit for the pictures used in this review goes here and here.
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