After earning a number one hit with the surprise smash "Fireflies" and sending his second full length album, Ocean Eyes, to the top ten of the Billboard 200 in 2009, Owl City, also known simply as Adam Young, was sitting at the top of the synthpop world. The sound that came out of the album was something not heard before and it helped to know that Young did everything on his own. Two years later Owl City returns with the June 14th release of All Things Bright and Beautiful, an album that stays true to the sound heard on the previous effort, but with a few surprises thrown in like hip-hop fused first single "Alligator Sky".
The electro-pop influenced album begins with "The Real World", a song that uses the passing of seasons as a metaphor for a growing love. The artist sings that reality must be a great place, but not place that he would want to be. The track is a nice start to guide listeners through the new album. The lyrics are cute, but it is the vocals that prove that Owl City has talents that needs to be taken seriously. Released free on iTunes this past week, "Deer in the Headlights" could possibly follow in the steps of "Fireflies" as a surprise hit. The song does deal with issues of love, but tell the story of always facing rejection when working up the courage to ask the girl of your dreams out. Good choice for a single. The album continues with "Angels", a track that comes off a bit childish due to the songwriting that accompanies it. The beat and music are nice, they give off a very tranquil feeling, but I feel that the artist took a few steps back with this song. There is nothing special or memorable about the track and no matter how much I wanted to like it, I never got into it. "Dreams Don't Turn to Dust" is a song that deals with life to a certain extent, it does hold an underlying inspirational message which I do commend, but the song unfortunately falls flat when viewed as a whole. Though the track does contain a promising title, it just does not live up to it and will probably be one of the tracks that get skipped when the album is played from beginning to end; just not my favorite. Soft vocals kick off "Honey and the Bee", a peaceful song that would be playing with the top down on a road trip. The track describes the positive side of a relationship, done in an innocent and sweet way with lyrics that the artist is known for. Some of the lines may be cheesy, but they work here. The featured vocals are cute, but altered to the point where they are not anything great. Some very interesting production sets up a good intro for "Kamikaze", a track that leads the album back down the positive route. To be honest, I do not know what the song is really about and it does not seem like there is any real depth to the lyrics, but I do not care. The song is something different, unique compared to the rest of the track list, and I enjoyed it during the first listen. After a brief thirty second interlude titled "January 28, 1986", "Galaxies" is able to shine in all its glory. Even though most of the album follows in the footsteps of Owl City's previous effort, this song is the only one that feels like it would have fit in with that track list. The song relies on some impressive production, but the listener will be taken on an exciting trip once this song begins to play. "Hospital Flowers" shows that the artist is an expert on the piano which gives the song a somber feel at the beginning. The track is evidence that Owl City would be successful if a different sound was ever explores, the vocals and writing are near perfection. The song slows down the sweet, candy coated experience for something a little more serious and emotional which keep the listener from ever becoming bored. The first single, "Alligator Sky, soon follows and it is clear why the song was chosen to introduce listeners to the artist's theirs album. The featured artist is able to rap some verses that actually sound like they fit in with the music fans have become familiar with. Two completely different genres come together to create a nice performance for both artists involved. It is fun and carefree, what we have come to expect. The longest track of the album comes in the form of "The Yacht Club", an up-tempo, feel good song that shows off two voices complementing each other very well. My feelings for the song are mixed. I enjoy the performances given by both artists, but some lyrics miss the spot and four minutes may have been too long for this track. I would play this song depending on my mood, not a must listen. The album finishes up with "Plant Life", a track that does not come off annoyingly sweet. I feel the writing present here is a little more mature than all the other tracks that precedes it. The sound is a tad bit different, but does not stray too far away from what Owl City is known for. The track does a good job at leaving a good impression for the album as a whole.
All Things Bright and Beautiful follows the same sugary, carefree formula as its 2009 predecessor, but unfortunately the album does not carry the same strong punch. Owl City has created an album that does not differ far enough from what he has already done before, the songs sound very similar to each other to the point where they all seem to just run together. The vocals may be altered at times, but when the artist's true voice comes out it makes for the greatest moments on the entire project. The album may be a step down for the artist, but it still contains some heartfelt and fun tracks. The album as a whole receives an 80%.
Tracks to Hear: "Deer in the Headlights", "Kamikaze", and "Hospital Flowers"
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