Track Listing (that you’ve been dying for)

Ocean Eyes
Release Date: July 14th (via iTunes) / July 28th (in stores)

01. Cave In
02. The Bird and The Worm
03. Hello Seattle
04. Umbrella Beach
05. The Saltwater Room
06. Dental Care
07. Meteor Shower
08. On The Wing
09. Fireflies
10. The Tip Of The Iceberg
11. Vanilla Twilight
12. Tidal Wave

If you’re familiar with Owl City’s prior albums, then you might notice a few tracks that you’ve bobbed your head to once or twice (“The Saltwater Room,” “Hello Seattle,” and “On The Wing”). We’re not complaining because they’re (still) good songs. As a whole, Ocean Eyes isn’t taking a new direction from the last album, Maybe I’m Dreaming. The good old Owl City beats which you fell in love with are still evident so you won’t be disappointed with Ocean Eyes.

There are some songs that seem to cross over to a more serious side of Owl City that we’re not used to hearing much of. I mean, singing about make-believe oceans and talking sea creatures is fun and all, but there are a few tracks that seem to have a more mature sound, overall. But there’s no need to fear, the same lovable imaginary world that Adam Young hides behind still exists throughout the majority of the tracks on Ocean Eyes.

Sara Kiesling Photography

“Meteor Showers” is a short track (2:14) but one of the more memorable ones because of its unique relationship to the rest of the album. This song takes the slow lane-approach to the rest of the album by existing in the background of the more upbeat tracks. The calmer arrangements heard in tracks such as “Meteor Showers” prove that electronic music does not always have to come equipped with ecstasy and glow sticks. Like I said, it’s a pretty short song, here are the lyrics:

“I can finally see that you’re right there beside me.
I am not my own,
for I have been made new,
please don’t let me go–
I desperately need you.”

Songs like “Meteor Showers” build Owl City’s stronger side and make tracks like “Vanilla Twilight” relevant to the album. It’s comforting to hear softer trance-like melodies merging with serious material (relationships made with humans rather than nature) such as the kind that “Vanilla Twilight” has to offer. It balances the album out very well and offers a serving of reality rather than constant fantasy.

Sara Kiesling Photography

That’s not to say that the roots of Owl City have flown the coop. If you still want your bubbly scenarios and electronic beats, then you’re only a few tracks away. Songs like “Dental Care” bring out the playful side of this album which can’t be denied. Who thought a twenty-something could sing about the fears of the dentist and still hold an audience’s attention? At first, I was weary of these kinds of tracks. Even though they seem silly to sing along to, you can’t hide from the amount of catchy arrangements which you can fit into three minutes.

“And with a smirk he says,
‘don’t have a fit this will just pinch a bit,’
as he tries not to grin.
When hygienists leave on long vacations
that’s when dentists scream
and lose their patience.”

Ocean Eyes is a nice follow-up to the prior Owl City tracks we’ve heard in the past. It’s familiar yet promising of growth all at the same time. It’s that album that can play throughout your day and make that day feel short and carefree. The dichotomy of mellow and upbeat seem to be prevalent throughout the entire album. The traditional happy roots of Owl City overpower the serious and mature tone that is heard throughout the album, even if that mature tone is sometimes heard from a distance. Regardless, if you’re looking for the right pick-me-up then you should be sure to grab Ocean Eyes on July 14th exclusively on iTunes.

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For more information on Owl City, visit owlcitymusic.com.

The original release date for Owl City’s upcoming album, Ocean Eyes, was posted for September 1st. I’m not sure if it had anything to do with crossed fingers, anxious individuals, or pleading fans, but the release was pushed in a good direction. iTunes has the honor of revealing Ocean Eyes to the public on July 14th until July 27th. If you’re anti-iTunes and prefer to have hard copies of everything you listen to, then you’ll have to wait until July 28th, which is the day that Ocean Eyes is available to everyone. Pre-orders are available and are expected to deliver on (or around) the 28th so you can have your dose of Owl City along with everyone else.

In the meantime, here is something to keep you entertained while you wait:

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For more information on Owl City, visit owlcitymusic.com.

On April 21st the four-guy, one-girl band from Minneapolis will release their second album, Wonder Subtly Crushing Us, through Earthology Records, a granola, eco-friendly independent record label also based out of Minnesota. After a 20 year gestation period, lead singer Adam Sorensen’s lyrics are contemplative and forthright, not unlike the tone in Sorensen’s voice when he delivers them. On the closing track, “Younger In A Year,” Sorensen ends the song by repeating the phrase “I only say what she wants to hear,” and I’m fairly sure he’s talking to me. Because it’s true: Ice Palace’s music is precisely what I want to hear.

My only question regarding Wonder Subtly Crushing Us is: who the hell is Priscilla?

Tour Dates

04.02.09 Ann Arbor, MI @ The Blind Pig *
04.03.09 Toronto, ONT @ El Mocambo *
04.06.09 Northampton, MA @ Pearl Street *
04.07.09 Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock *
04.08.09 New Haven, CT @ Toads Place *
04.09.09 Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg *
04.10.09 Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church *
04.11.09 Washington, DC @ Black Cat *
04.12.09 Pittsburgh, PA @ Mr. Small’s *
04.13.09 Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Ballroom *
04.14.09 Grand Rapids, MI @ The Intersection *
04.23.09 – Minneapolis, MN @ Varsity Theatre (record release show)
05.04.09 Rapid City, SD @ The Dahl Arts Center
05.05.09 Bozeman, MT @ The Filling Station
05.06.09 Missoula, MT @ The Other Side
05.08.09 Seattle, WA @ Neumos #
05.09.09 Vancouver, BC @ The Biltmore Ballroom #
05.10.09 Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom #
05.12.09 San Francisco, CA @ The Independent #
05.16.09 Tucson, AZ @ Plush #
05.17.09 Phoenix, AZ @ Rhythm Room #
05.19.09 Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theatre #
05.20.09 Omaha, NE @ Waiting Room

* w/ Cloud Cult, Margot and the Nuclear So and So’s
# w/ Cloud Cult, Say Hi

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Wonder Subtly Crushing Us will be released on April 21st, 2009.
For more information on Ice Palace, visit their official website or visit them on MySpace at myspace.com/icepalaceband.