Customer Reviews

Ocean Eyes [Deluxe Edition]

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Like many people, I first found out about Owl City after Fireflies, the first single from this album, was released in 2009. After hearing how different of a song it was, I made sure to look up Ocean Eyes, and listen to the album. Every song is in its own little universe, and you cannot help but feel completely elated whilst listening to it. I owned the album for months and never got sick of it, and now that the deluxe edition has been released, it has breathed even more fresh air into what is one of the best albums of 2009, in my opinion. For the deluxe, there are 6 new songs, including a Hello Seattle remix which takes my breath away.

Hot Air Balloon - My favorite new song on the extra disc. It instantly starts out the collection of new songs with an entirely positive energy and uplifting lyrics, which are bound to pull you from a depressing mood and get you dancing. 10/10

Butterfly Wings - While a lot of the songs from Ocean Eyes sound more "produced" than Adam Young's older works (such as his EP, Of June), this song leans more towards his older songs then anything else. However, it still retains that classic happy-go-lucky mood and is a welcome edition to the newer songs. 7/10

Rugs From Me To You - Even though this song only clocks in at 1:28, it impressed me from the very first second. In fact, it was a bit shocking how different it sounded from the other songs, and in a good way. A very welcome change that gives more diversity to the album if you ask me. 9/10

Sunburn - Nice chill song, perfect for summer. I can't wait to play this song (as well as the entire deluxe edition album) at the beach, exercising outside, exc. Also, this song was on the soundtrack for 90210. 8/10

Hello Seattle (Remix) - Surprisingly, my favorite from the 7 songs, and one of my favorites from the entire Ocean Eyes album. Even though the song is just a remix of the classic Owl City song, Hello Seattle, the entire production is just magnificent. As someone who doesn't normally like remixes and thinks they sound too similar, this remix sets such a electronic tone that I still have it on constant repeat. The beginning starts off nice and slow with a piano rendition of the song, then progresses slowly into a more upbeat melody, then finally topping off the song with electronic and dance beats that would make anyone want to dance or jam out. My one problem with it, is that it is mostly just the beat, and no words besides about five chants of Hello Seattle from the original song. 10/10

If My Heart Was a House - A slower jam from the album, but still great of course. The lyrics definitely are more traditional then the rest of the songs, but still make for a romantic song that I pleasantly enjoy. 8/10

Strawberry Avalanche - Definitely a favorite from the album, for sure. The upbeat tone is back, and makes me float away into a sea of strawberries. Definite summer song, and makes me excited for strawberries in the summer. Love it! 10/10

Overall, the original album by itself was incredible, but the deluxe edition's 7 songs definitely hold their own up to the first 12 sounds. Sometimes these deluxe editions give you 1 or 2 subpar songs that are just being released to make money, but not with Owl City! For anyone who desperately needs a break from the overall negative tone of music being put out there these days, but still want a nice beat that will make them want to dance and sing, Ocean Eyes is the album for them. In fact, it's an album for anyone really.

We all need some positivity in our lives, and listening to Owl City will for sure put you into such a happy, on top of the world mood. Perfect for kids and adults, I'm so happy that music like this is finally getting exposure to Top 40 radio and music in general. Go Owl City!

First let me say, if you already own Ocean Eyes, feel no need in buying this deluxe edition, there simply isn't that much to justify a re-buy. That being said, if you loved the best song of 2009, aka "Fireflies" and have been wanting to buy the full album, then this is a good choice for you. Because not only does this edition have the regular album on it, but it also adds a bonus disc with a few of their Internet-only singles which most of their fans will know from MySpace. "Hot Air Balloon" probably being the best out of the bunch with its carefree attitude that continues the trend of great lyrics found on the album. In fact, this bonus disc essentially is a continuation of what you heard on the album. The "Hello Seattle Remix" is essentially an instrumental intro to that song with some remixed elements.

Highlights Include:
Hot Air Balloon
If My Heart Was A House

Overall, fans who have heard most of the songs found on this release should avoid a re-buy, but for those new to the wonder that is Owl City, you should be very pleased with what you find. The bonus tracks fit well with the album, and should be enjoyable for anybody that likes the group. I only wish they could have added more to this release, or at least make the bonus disc an EP, but that's usually the complaint I have with most deluxe editions, so do as you please. Just know, I want to see a live album, or an acoustic take on the band to tide me off until Adam Young's next album.

Real Score for Ocean Eyes: 4.5/5
Real Score for the Bonus Disc: 4/5
Real Score for Ocean Eyes (Deluxe Version): 4.5/5

For My Thoughts Regular Edition, Here's My Summarizing Paragraph:
Here's the problem with synthpop/autotune, although it adds something different to what would otherwise be generic music, there's only so much you can do with it, so it gets repetitive very easily. What makes Owl City different from every other artist using this technique is the quirky lyrics, and the absolute gold Adam Young drags out of his music. I still feel that synthpop makes for great songs, but not great albums. That's the only thing holding 'Ocean Eyes' down, because it works better if you listen to the songs individually.

I am blown away by Adam Young and his creations, his electronic artistry. I started out hearing "Fireflies" now and again on internet radio, and I kept thinking I need to remember that name and get that song. Months later I finally did and then bought the CD hoping it wasn't a one-hit wonder. I am a full-blown addict now. I would name my favorites but literally all the songs on here are so perfectly amazing to me that I listen to them constantly.

I absolutely love the twists and turns that each song comes up with musically. All the little details are incredible and add up to pure perfection within each song. Each piece is layered with brilliant combinations of sounds and rhythms that work together so well I can't even describe it. It is pure magic for my ears. I would love to watch him create a song.

I have read so many comments on comparing him to some group called Postal Service which I'd never heard of...but then I heard some of it recently and it was nowhere near Adam Young's quality. It was not musical at all and it wasn't nearly as smooth or magical or beautiful. I like everything from classical to heavy metal but Owl City is something so new and sweet to me it makes me happy.

There are some wonderful romantic lyrics as well, I have to add. This album is the most refreshing thing to come along for me in ages. 100 stars to Adam Young!

For this review I'm going to exclusively review the additional tracks on the Deluxe Version of Ocean Eyes. For my review on the standard tracks of Ocean Eyes, see the page for Ocean Eyes.

I was very impressed with the quality of the tracks on this Deluxe Edition of Ocean Eyes. I thought nearly all of them were worthy of being on the original release of the album, a few even single worthy. A track-by-track review follows:

1. Hot Air Balloon - 10/10 - A great song to start out the second CD. Hot Air Balloon is light, bouncy and lively without being overly exuberant. The guitar is effectively used as the dominant sound in this song, as opposed to synthesizer, and it's a refreshing start to the seven song set.

2. Butterfly Wings - 5/10 - This is the only track on the album that I wasn't as impressed with. Fans who prefer Owl City's "old-school" sound that's found on his early work as an independent artist might enjoy it more than I did, but to me Butterfly Wings seemed like a watered-down, underproduced afterthought of Fireflies.

3. Rugs for Me to You - 10/10 - It's an odd little song, but so witty I couldn't help but think it to be one of the best of this edition. The song is about hair loss, but Young's expertly written lyrics make it so enjoyable to listen to. It sounds significantly different from the rest of the album, but nevertheless a wonderful addition.

4. Sunburn - 9/10 - A guitar based ballad, Sunburn still contains the same happy lyrics with a more mellowed, mature sound. The only branch of this track that some might notice is Adam Young's strained vocals, perhaps a symptom of overuse while touring. It doesn't greatly affect the track, but adds just a bit of rusticity not found on most of Owl City's recordings.

5. Hello Seattle (Remix) - 10/10 - From start to finish, this 5+ minute remix is a perfect gem, expertly produced. Instead of expounding on different variations of the same sound, this remix almost completely abandons the original song and takes it to a completely different level of electronics. In fact, the only similarity to the song (besides a piano solo at the beginning) is the phrase "Hello Seattle" that is repeated throughout the track.

6. If My Heart Was A House - 10/10 - Probably the slowest sounding song on the CD, this track brings back memories of Vanilla Twilight, as they both have similar synth effects and sounds, yet the two songs are still vastly different. I would even argue that If My Heart Was A House is better, both in terms of lyrical quality and ability to evoke emotion. That is up for you to decide.

7. Strawberry Avalanche - 10/10 - The final track of Ocean Eyes: Deluxe Edition is another expertly written and produced track, except in this case the song is about... well, fruit. Therefore, it's understandable why the song didn't make the initial release of Ocean Eyes, but the song still definitely deserved to be released. A fun and well suited closing track with a driving beat that makes you want to get up and dance to it!

In closing, I would recommend this CD to any Owl City fan, especially those who took a paticular liking to Ocean Eyes. They say that the best sequel is one that gives you something you never knew you wanted. I'd say this Deluxe Edition does exactly that, and can be expected from all following Owl City albums.

Thank you very much for my product. It is how it was described online. I received quickly through the mail.

How do you describe something like Adam Young's magical creation Ocean Eyes? . . . You don't. I won't even try. I'm not nearly skilled enough a writer to put into words what this album means to me. You simply buy it, listen to it, and thank God for the beautiful world He's created, and all the wonderful, gifted people He's put upon it.

Since I can't think of how I'd convey the beauty of this music to you merely through words, I'll leave that to you, and just give you the more technical details of the album

Album: Ocean Eyes [Deluxe Edition]
Artist: Owl City
Composer/Writer: Adam Young (Adam Young is Owl City)

Tracks . . .
Disc 1 . . .
#1: Cave In - 4:02
#2: The Bird & the Worm - 3:28
#3: Hello Seattle - 2:47
#4: Umbrella Beach - 3:51
#5: The Saltwater Room - 4:03
#6: Dental Care - 3:12
#7: Meteor Shower - 2:14
#8: On The Wing - 5:01
#9: Fireflies - 3:48
#10: The Tip of the Iceberg - 3:23
#11: Vanilla Twilight - 3:52
#12: Tidal Wave - 3:10

Disc 2 . . .
#1: Hot Air Balloon - 3:33
#2: Butterfly Wings - 2:54
#3: Rugs From Me To You - 1:28
#4: Sunburn - 3:48
#5: Hello Seattle [Remix] - 5:54
#6: If My Heart Was A House - 4:06
#7: Strawberry Avalanche - 3:16

Each and every one of those songs is amazing, and incredibly endearing. Let the music take you back to your childhood, if you've left it already. If not, just enjoy the ride you're already on, and don't let go.

P.S. The iTunes version of this deluxe album comes with one extra track: Fireflies (Adam Young Remix), which is 3:12 long. If you'd prefer to have the actual CD version, but still want the extra track, I'd recommend just getting this from Amazon, and buying the MP3 separate.

Thanks! And thank you so, so much, Adam.

God bless,
- Mr J. Hemmar

Owl City is my favorite band of all time! Adam Young is a great singer, his songs are great, and the CD itself is just awesome! Bye!

Fun and serious lyrics in this CD, but even the serious ones have a light-heartedness about them. Some of the music is similar but has a very pleasant appeal to it. I bought it for my preteen but 3 adults in our famly are also enjoying the music. Great cover art.

I first heard the song "Butterflies" at a convention a few months ago. I decided I'd try and find the Album. NOT BAD AT ALL! I read somewhere that it's just one guy that did all of the recorded instrumentals but I have not idea if that's true. The whole CD has a strong alternative feel. Check it out on the web and see if Owl City is for you!

Though after awhile the similarity of songs can wear you down a little, overall the two disc set is great! Love it.