Product Description
2009 sophomore release from the Minnesota-based Electro-Rock outfit AKA singer/songwriter Adam Young. While his music continues to win followers all over the world, Adam does indeed hide behind his music, not going by his real name (See: Badly Drawn Boy and Dashboard Confessional); but going by the moniker Owl City. Loaded with amazing loops, catchy pickups, and lyrics that soothe the mind and touch the heart, Adam Young has once again created a lush listening experience. Owl City's trademark desire to escape in dreams, oceans and sky abound on songs such as 'Cave In' and 'Umbrella Beach.' With glorious vocal harmonies and touching odes to love lost, Adam has dug more deeply on Ocean Eyes, lyrically and musically, than ever.

1. Cave In 4:02
2. The Bird And The Worm 3:27
3. Hello Seattle 2:47
4. Umbrella Beach 3:51
5. The Saltwater Room 4:02
6. Dental Care 3:11
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

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002ECN4NM/?tag=imwan-20

I liked "Fireflies" when I first saw the amazing video this summer on MTV2. It's incredibly cute and catchy (as is the video), although the vocals are a little annoying. I had no idea the song would hit #1 which it did last week I think. Pretty cool.

It's amazing to be that Ben Gibbard doesn't get royalties from the "Fireflies" single. Good lord, it's a catchy tune but it is Postal Service pop.

Universal Republic press release:

Owl City

In the state of Minnesota lies a small town called Owatonna with roughly twenty-two thousand inhabitants; within that city is a quiet road with a modest house. In that house there's an unkempt basement with no windows. Within those confines you'll find Adam Young of Owl City hard at work, creating his electronic and melodically infectious brand of music with a simple and singular beauty. Inside this "cave," as Adam likes to describe it, he has begun to quickly win over a large audience thirsty for something genuine, something sublime.

Being an only child in a small town, and having no musicians in his immediate family, Adam is hard pressed to say how it all started. Explaining that he always had a "push" to be creative, Adam picked up his first guitar in junior high school. Growing up in a "sheltered bubble" and being one of the more shy kids around the neighborhood, Adam seemed compelled to lend his time and creative ideas to music. "I've always been the shy guy, I don't see that changing, but I definitely feel a lot more comfortable than I anticipated. I can hide behind the music."

While his music continues to win followers all over the world, Adam does indeed hide behind his music, not going by his real name (See: Badly Drawn Boy and Dashboard Confessional); but going by the moniker Owl City. Adam was searching more for a mood when coming up with a title for his sound, rather than something easily identifiable. He goes on to explain that most of the artists that catch his eye have something unique about their name, something that lingers.

So one has to ask: how did this Owl City phenomenon begin? How does a young artist writing songs underneath his garage, acoustic foam and books everywhere, reach an audience of millions? "I'm still trying to figure it out," Adam laughs. "Back in June of 2007 it kind of started on a whim. My parents were away for the weekend, and wanting to be loud and make some noise and whatever, I began writing versions of what became my first, self released CD - Of June. I put it up on MySpace the following month and didn't tell anyone." Word of mouth began to spread for Adam's music, with demands coming from various parts of the country for an album. Maybe I'm Dreaming, released in March of 2008, was Owl City's full length debut. The album has garnered great critical praise and is a clear representation of Owl City's progression as an artist. Adam has become a phenomenon on MySpace with over 6 million profile views and over 25 million plays, which is outstanding in such a short span of time. It's clear that, from his basement, Owl City is making a colossal impact on the music scene.

What might be swirling through his head after such a quick and sudden start at stardom? "The biggest thing I was concerned-slash-worried about was the live performance, never having played a show as Owl City.' There was a lot of apprehension." Adam's concern, about being a one-man wizard on the keyboard, "hunched over a computer," was put to the test recently with his first gig. Most, if not all, of his fears were quickly put to rest as Adam played to a sold out show in Minneapolis. "It was surreal," Adam says, "to have people buying your t-shirts, singing the words louder than I was; it felt so good."

As listeners on MySpace climb into the millions, Owl City is focused on writing more songs, getting more comfortable on stage, and satisfying a fan base that is growing and eagerly anticipating new material. With a new album scheduled for a fall release, Adam's future is as exciting, expansive and as mellifluous as his music. "I've loved every minute of it so far, and I'm looking forward to what's going to happen next." So are we.

Owl City score first UK number one single

January 24, 2010
http://www.nme.com/news/florence-and-the-machine/49394

Owl City are celebrating tonight (January 24) after scoring their first ever UK number one with 'Fireflies'.

The track, the creation of 20 year-old Adam Young from Minnesota, has already been a hit around the world. It was number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 and topped charts from Australia to Ireland.

It's the first single from Owl City's third album.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psuRGfAaju4[/youtube]

I downloaded the single "Fireflies" months before it started getting airplay.
The album just didn't do it for me as a whole. I didn't think that any of the
songs came even close to the single. There's another single only tune
called "Strawberry Avalanche" that's the caliber "Fireflies". He's talented
for sure. I'd have waited for more quality material before releasing a full CD.

He seems to be a nice, modest kid.
I don't like the track. I find the vocal annoying, and the track more irritating than catchy.I'm surprised it's a hit.

Yeah, there's not much else besides a song or two-"Fireflies" is such an unlikely #1 hit and it's a cool story. I guess. I think there's now a deluxe 2CD edition of this album out this month-why?