Burnmage

Every once in a while, I’ll pick up a release and be absolutely enthralled from the very first listen. I’ll find myself unable to break myself from listening to it and even replay it in my head when I do actually take a break. So it has been with my new guilty pleasure, Owl City and their newest release Ocean Eyes

Don’t let my use of the phrase “guilty pleasure” deter you. It’s just that my musical tastes lean more toward the heavier, screamier end of the spectrum. Owl City is a synth/pop project started in 2007 by Adam Young. Yes, it’s synth/pop, but it’s not taken to the 8-bit extremes of fellow synth masters Joy Electric. It’s happy music, and you’ll easily find yourself bobbing your head and singing along.

Lyrically, you’ll find that most of the songs tell simple stories, including one about a trip to the dentist. The lyrics are the true genius of this project, as they walk the very fine line between clever and groan-inducing wordplay…like “I’ve been to the dentist a thousand times so I know the drill…” (from “Dental Care”) or “I look at my hands and feel sad, cause the spaces between my fingers are right where yours fit perfectly…” (from “Vanilla Twilight”) or “Please take a long hard look through your text book ’cause I’m history…” (from “Cave In”).

For those who are not fans of synth or electronica, the songs may start to sound a bit repetitive. For those who are fans, this disc just does not get old. Keen listeners will be sure to notice guest vocals from Matthew Thiessen from Relient K on a few of the tracks, which, by the way, Thiessen also shares writing credit with Young on “The Bird And The Worm”.

Owl City has created one of the best releases this year. If everyone took a few minutes each day to listen to a few songs from Ocean Eyes, the world would no doubt be a happier place.

Owl City - Ocean Eyes
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