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Owl City
Ocean Eyes: Deluxe Edition



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 2 Discs: 19 tracks
Street Date: January 26, 2010


 
  
OceanEyesDeluxeEdition
READER RATING:  OceanEyesDeluxeEdition
/ 5.0 (0 votes)

Last year, the smash hit "Fireflies" took over radio and music television outlets, making Owl City one of the standout artists of the year, not to mention the breakout artist of the year. Ocean Eyes was certified gold near the end of the year, but little did we know that it wasn't complete. So in January, Adam Young put out the deluxe edition of his album, which featured the entire twelve-song tracklist and a second disc containing seven more tremendous songs. This review will cover that second disc. For a review of the first disc, click here to visit the Ocean Eyes review page.

The first song is one of the songs that made Owl City popular before his Universal Records deal brought him into the mainstream spotlight. "Hot Air Balloon" is an upbeat, poppy song with Adam's signature dreamy and peppy lyrics. It's impossible not to smile when you listen to this song. "Butterfly Wings" follows, with equally happy music, and Adam's lyrics creating a beautiful image of two people in love. The love shifts into humor as "Rugs From Me To You" resembles "Dental Care," both in sound and message (somewhat). As "Dental Care" was a song about what the name implies, "Rugs From Me To You" is about toupes. It also contains quirky lines, as well, like "Toupe or not to pay, that is the question" and "My curls and I are just like heaven, 'cause rest assured there'll be no parting there." It's silly, and short, but a fun song to listen to. "Sunburn" is another one of those songs that would make for a great summer soundtrack. It continues the upbeat, happy sounds (and makes beautiful use of an acoustic guitar), and Adam sings of an adorable love for a girl.

One of the most popular songs from the original version of Ocean Eyes was "Hello Seattle," which is featured on the deluxe edition's second disc in remix form. It's a longer version of the song, and is much more dance friendly. The finished product turns out to be an instrumental based on the original song, with the words "Hello Seattle" coming in every once in a while. The piano at the beginning is a nice touch to get the jam started, and when it picks up to finish its six-minute length, it never gets boring as some dance floor hits tend to. The next song, "If My Heart Was A House," was featured on the original Ocean Eyes as an iTunes exclusive that came along with the purchase of the full album. So if you bought the physical copy and missed out, you can get it with this release. And it's worth it, as the song is beautiful (I love the imagery in the chorus when Adam says "Circle me and the needle moves gracefully back and forth, if my heart was a compass you'd be north"). It's soft and somber and has a perfect place after the "Hello Seattle" remix. The last song is his other internet sensation song, "Strawberry Avalanche." After listening to this song, it's so easy to see why this young man's music is immensely popular. The video game-styled synth and the beat together are just irresistable, and his voice in on point.

2009 was good to Adam Young. Not only did he launch to superstardom that year, but Ocean Eyes was also one of the top albums of the year in Christian AND mainstream pop. Though it's pretty much useless to re-release albums in this digital music era, it ends up being a nice treat for Owl City fans to have some new songs so quickly after the initial release of the album. But as I listened through all the songs, I started to get a little disappointed. Now, all the songs are pure gold. There's no doubting that. But after a while, it becomes quite easy to hear the songs almost sounding a little too similar. While none of them really ever feel like a copy-and-paste sort of deal, it almost seems like Young has trouble with keeping the rhythms or vocal patterns original. It's not blatantly obvious, but it's noticeable enough to take this release down a couple of points. That aside, this is another fabulous treat from Owl City.

- Review date: 3/3/10, written by Scott Fryberger of Jesusfreakhideout.com



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Record Label: Republic
Album length: 2 Discs: 19 tracks
Street Date: January 26, 2010
Buy It: Amazon.com

Disc One:

  1. Cave In (4:02)LYRICS
  2. The Bird And The Worm (3:27)LYRICS
  3. Hello Seattle (2:47)LYRICS
  4. Umbrella Beach (3:51)LYRICS
  5. The Saltwater Room (4:02)LYRICS
  6. Dental Care (3:11)LYRICS
  7. Meteor Shower (2:14)LYRICS
  8. On The Wing (5:01)LYRICS
  9. Fireflies (3:48)LYRICS
  10. The Tip Of The Iceberg (3:23)LYRICS
  11. Vanilla Twilight (3:52)LYRICS
  12. Tidal Wave (3:10)LYRICS
    Disc Two:
  1. Hot Air Balloon
  2. Butterfly Wings
  3. Rugs From Me To You
  4. Sunburn
  5. Hello Seattle (remix)
  6. If My Heart Was A House
  7. Strawberry Avalanche

 

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This Friday, July 24
ALBUMS
Leanna Crawford Thank God [Provident]
Charles Wesley Godwin Christian Name [Big Loud]
eddieM UnReleased - EP [Syntax]
Ezra Worship Initiative Great and Glorious God EP [NCS]
The Inspirations Songs For Our American Culture [Horizon]
Madison Street Worship Who Is Like The Lord [Pure Mosaic]
Josh Snodgrass Acoustic Worship (independent)
Tyraels Ascension Grave Seeker [Rottweiler]
Jean Watson When I Was Fearless (independent)

SINGLES
ANTHNY Prepare Me - Single [SONY/Provident]
Bill B. Here & Home (ft. Davion Morye) - Single [Syntax]
Joe L Barnes Road Less Traveled (feat. Seph Schlueter) - Single [SONY/Provident]
Beach Chapel Give You The World - Single (independent)
LamonTT Blackshire WORLD CUP - Single [Syntax]
CalledOut Music What A Life - Single [Integrity]
Chris Caro BRICK! - Single [Syntax]
Franni Cash The Real Thing - Single [Capitol CMG]
dex the nerd who loves Jesus Dance Like David (ft. Drea LP) - Single [Syntax]
DOE High Praise - Single [SONY/Provident]
Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors, Ellie Holcomb, NEEDTOBREATHE Promised Land - Single [Magnolia]
Noah Paul Harrison The Lifter Of My Head (Live) [feat. Aubree Archibeck] - Single [Bethel]
Koryn Hawthorne His Favorite - Single [Motown Gospel]
Mat Kearney Fall On Me - Single (independent)
The Kingdom Heirs Jesus Never Met A Sinner (That He Couldn't Save) - Single [Sonlite]
Elle Limebear Give Me Joy - Single [Decca]
Autumn Nelon I'll Find You - Single [Gaither]
Lloyd Nicks Paper-Maché - Single [Wings]
Andy Riemersma Holding Me Down - Single [Dream]
Troy Patterson The Nikes (ft. Mont Pringle) - Single [Syntax]
Troy Patterson Blood & Crypt (ft. Semaj Spitz) - Single [Syntax]
Sabyn Worthy (feat. Callie Twisselman) - Single [Owepar]
Sam's The Hero In the Absence of Applause - Single [Small Step]
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Next Friday, July 31
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Pat Barrett, Worship Together Burn in Us [Capitol CMG]
Joseph Habedank The Worship Album [Gaither]
Sower Contrast (independent)
Starflyer 59 Disappointed EP [Velvet Blue]

SINGLES
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KNGDM REVIVAL OPEN MY EYES - Single [Dream]
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VINYL
IONA IONA vinyl box set Vinyl (independent)


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