Owl City's "Cinematic" - An Album Review | Olivia J

"To gain your voice, you have to forget about having it heard," -Allen Ginsberg

It's been a while since I've done an Owl City album review, hasn't it? I reviewed Mobile Orchestra back in 2015 (plus my update later on). I'll be formatting this review the same way as that one, not like how I formatted my Adam Young Scores . . . 

OKAY but I was browsing the internet, as usual, and I saw this crackpot theory of sorts, and it was basically explaining why Adam didn't make an even twelve scores, and it was because Cinematic is the twelfth score. The Adam Young Scores were conceptualized as movie soundtracks, and cinema is obviously a prominent theme in this album. It makes sense that Cinematic would complete the twelve scores, since Cinematic is about Adam's life. Pretty cool, right? 

Alas, onto the review. 

1. Fiji Water

Star Rating: 4.5/5

Why I Chose this Rating: This song is just so . . . FUN. It has that carefree and almost silly feeling of Dental Care and has amazing synth work. Overall, it captures the music style of old Owl City while maintaining maturity and the lyrical content of "Cinematic". I just love the flair and attitude it's got. It's so . . . Adam Young and I'm living for it. 

Favorite Part/Lyric: And I'd say, "Hey, there is more to me than meets the eye. / Let me be who I wanna be." / And I'd say, "Hey, I'm an oddity and that's alright. / Let me fly and follow my dreams." Basically the whole prechorus lol. 

2. The 5th of July

Star Rating: 4/5

Why I Chose this Rating: Holy crap this song is actually really sad. It's made me tear up more than once because it just emanates such a whole and pure love for the people who've labored - literally - over you to get you into this world, and that's something that hits me really hard. The violins and background vocals are solemn and also really humble and happy and the whole song is great. 

Favorite Part/Lyric: When the violins break down around 1:34 when Adam sings about his mother watching the fireworks; A teacher and a mechanic / brought me into this world. / They loved me with all their hearts / since the day I opened my eyes / on the fifth of July. 

3. All My Friends

Star Rating: 2/5

Why I Chose this Rating: Ah, this song is so hard. It's the Verge of this album, and I think the problem is that other Owl City albums never had the song that was trying to be mainstream and poppy. It just feels . . . cheesy, and I mean, Owl City is kind of cheesy but not in the genuine and sweet way that Owl City normally is. I'm also not a fan of the speak-singing. However, I do love the music video for this song, and it arguably makes the song better. 

Favorite Part/Lyric: I like the guitar riff between the choruses. 

4. House Wren

Star Rating: 5/5

Why I Chose this Rating: Holy cannoli I love this song. It's happy-go-lucky and hopeful but also kind of sad, which is what makes Owl City so wonderful. The lyrics paint a rustic and charismatic picture of a nomadic house wren, and this, I think, parallels Adam's feeling of not fitting in and searching for a home, metaphorically, but spinning it in a joyful way as he often does. I just, ah, I love this song, and it speaks to me and makes me want to sing it at the top of my lungs. 

Favorite Part/Lyric: Like basically the whole thing  !!!

5. Not All Heroes Wear Capes

Star Rating: 4/5

Why I Chose this Rating: This is another song that makes me really emotional. It's in the same vein as The 5th of July, which is nice. And the whole song also makes me emotional because I'm personally a lot like my father, and I always saw him as this great big, man figure and I can relate to a lot of what he says about looking up to his dad. It's just so tender and humble and it feels like a love letter to fathers, and I feel like that's long overdue. 

Favorite Part/Lyric: The background guitar melody. 

6. Montana

Star Rating: 4.5/5

Why I Chose this Rating: I love how this song feels so . . . cinematic, for lack of a better word. It has the musical quality of the scores, with the use of violins and percussion. My only real critique is that the buildup to the amazing, sweeping chorus isn't all that impressive, but that's basically it. I love the rhythm and harmonies. 

Favorite Part/Lyric: Basically all of the lyrics lol I do love this song it's a bop. 

7. Lucid Dream

Star Rating: 3.5/5

Why I Chose this Rating: Getting ALL of the Thunderstruck vibes from this song. It remains lyrically reminiscent of Adam's dreamier stuff, but is somehow more grounded. It doesn't seem to climax enough though. The verses are good, but the chorus doesn't have enough impact. Overall, the song is still a jam, but it doesn't leave a stunning impression. 

Favorite Part/Lyric:  The prechorus of the song. 

8. Always

Star Rating: 3.5/5

Why I Chose this Rating: This is Adam's token Christian song off of the album, and I like this one better than My Everything. Albeit formulaic, it's still heartfelt, sweet, and well composed. 

Favorite Part/Lyric: Not sure I have one. 

9. Cloud Nine

Star Rating: 4/5

Why I Chose this Rating: The key changes really make this song. Also not one of my favorites, but the synths are glittery and very Owl City-esque. And by the end of the song, the chorus hits hard, and the song really works. Overall, a jam. 

Favorite Part/Lyric: The last chorus, definitely. 

10. Winners Never Quit

Star Rating: 3.5/5

Why I Chose this Rating: I was a bit shocked when this song started out with such an 8-bit opening, but somehow it works. Again, this song is like Cloud Nine and some of the other songs on Cinematic. The lyrics are straighforward, and the themes are uplifting as usual. I don't have much to say about this one. 

Favorite Part/Lyric: Don't think I have one at this point lol. 

11. Madeline Island

Star Rating: 4/5

Why I Chose this Rating:  Love this one, and I can definitely hear the score influences. All of his music just feels so much fuller and more rounded out than before. Not that it was bad, but this is just so much more polished and has so many layers. This one speaks to my wanderlust, and it reminds me of my trip to Minnesota. I ca also hear some tweeting noises from Twenty One Pilots' A Car, A Torch, A Death, but maybe that's just a coincidence. 

Favorite Part/Lyric: Not really any lyrics, but I love the visuals and scope of the song. 

12. Be Brave

Star Rating: 4.5/5

Why I Chose this Rating: This song really grew on me. It starts off slow with pianos but builds beautifully to reflect the euphoria of meeting someone and falling in love. The guitars are powerful and the lyrics mesh well with the song. Just about everything in this song works. I love it. 

Favorite Part/Lyric: I grabbed my keys and drove toward a star / and there I was understood for the first time in my life / and that's when I was introduced to true serendipity. / I knew it when / you showed up again; and, of course, all of the guitar parts, especially when it really builds at the end. 

13. New York City

Star Rating: 5/5

Why I Chose this Rating: This song is my heart and soul. It's magical and synthy and builds perfectly. I have much more of a personal attachment to this one because it came out around the same time I found out I was going to New York City to recieve a national award for my writing. It just makes me feel like I'm floating, and has this almost sweeping feeling. I can't say enough about this song. It also makes me want to belt lol. 

Favorite Part/Lyric: The whole thing, obviously. 

14. Firebird

Star Rating: 4/5

Why I Chose this Rating: The guitars are slamming, and the vocal production is awesome. This version has a more uplifting mood than the alternate version, and I think both work. I'm loving the guitar work. It reminds me of Bird With a Broken Wing, which I wanted more of from Mobile Orchestra. 

Favorite Part/Lyric: We used to talk all night and not say a word / when I would hop into your red Firebird, / and, man alive, we would drive just to drive around town / cause in your car we understood and figured out / that everything changes

15. Cinematic

Star Rating: 3.5/5

Why I Chose this Rating: I wanted to love this song more than I do. It's a bit too cheesy for its own good, and feels slightly disconnected from how personal all of the other songs are. However, it's real catchy as they all are, and I love jamming to the chorus. The rapid beats in the background really add to the intensity and mood of the song. The whole thing is so happy and encouraging, and even if it's not my favorite, I can't hate it. I don't want to hate it. 

Favorite Part/Lyric: When the higher synth parts come on in the second chorus. It adds to the build of the song. 

16. All My Friends (Alt Version)

Star Rating: 3/5

Why I Chose this Rating: I will say that this version is a bit better because it conveys the genuineness better, and it also is a bit less . . . harsh on the listener. The inclusion of Breanne Duren is a nice homage to Owl City's days gone by, and her voice just works so well with Owl City's music and Adam's voice. This one just feels less try-hard and less poppy. 

17. Montana (Alt Version)

Star Rating: 4.5/5

Why I Chose this Rating: I think Adam Young did this intentionally, but this alternative version of Montana is so Sky Sailing-esque and I'm living for it. This version gives the original song and it's lyrics a whole nother meaning, and I so love the inclusion of dialogue from one of Adam's family members. 

18. Firebird (Alt Version)

Star Rating: 5/5

Why I Chose this Rating: Wow, this song makes me cry. Like, the regular version of Firebird is good, and it's a good jam, but I feel like the lyrics don't always mesh with the musical style. However, in the alternate version, the quiet and soulful style is reflective and really hits home the theme of the song: that everything changes, and that it's sad but also wonderful to look back on. And man, that shit gets me right in the feels. 

~

It sounds like I really love Cinematic, and I do, but the reason the songs aren't getting mostly 5/5's is because this isn't the BEST Owl City music out there. All Things Bright and Beautiful will always  be the best, and I'll fight you on that. Definitely the best songs on this album are the ones that I can relate to, and the ones that I can attach my own memories and feelings to, which I think was Adam's intended meaning. 

I think the difference between 'old Owl City' and 'new Owl City' is that when Adam used to write lyrics and music, the job of the listener was to figure out what he meant, or just to find their own meaning in the lyrics. But now, Adam presents his messages and themes more clearly, which isn't really a bad thing. I just prefer the old ways more. I prefer it in music, and in movies and books. 

All in all, Cinematic is good. Overall, it's incredibly genuine, heartfelt, fresh, and, above all, catchy. It feels meaningful and cohesive. I'm not going to lie, I think I'll always miss the days of Ocean Eyes and All Things Bright and Beautiful. But maybe the magic of it is that you can't recapture it. Cinematic is something new, and Owl City has always been Adam Young, just like what it says on the CD inserts. 

~The WordShaker

The Endurance | Final Adam Young Score Review

 "It is both a blessing and a curse to feel everything so very deeply," - David Jones

Way to go out with a bang, Adam. 

This score is another gem. Like the best scores, this score has moments of spine-tingling musical glory and emotional release. 

Comparable to the RMS Titanic and borrows quips from The Ascent of Everest and Corduroy Road, this score boasts with a long and hearty tracklist full of flutes and deep strings. 

Listen to The Endurance here. 

artwork by James R. Eads

On with the track by track review. 

~

1. Shackleton

All-encompassing, this track establishes the might and bravery of Shackleton and his men with flutes, guitar, and sets up the seafaring landscape with the lively melodies. 

2. Hoist Sail

Cheerful and lively, this song builds with the orchestra as the men prepare to sail off on a great and treacherous adventure, ending with unique sounds of the creaking ship. 

3. The Weddell Sea

Complete with horns, this song displays the dangers of the Weddell sea in the magnificent orchestra. 

4. Pack Ice

Building with the glory of intense strings, this track shows the encroaching ice as it made it's way around the ship. 

5. Abandon Ship

Solemn with a crunching piano, this song perfectly makes the listener feel the despair of these men having to leave their dreams behind, and ending with unique water sounds. 

6. Ocean Camp

Desolate with sounds of wind and pulsing flutes, this track shows the perseverance of the men holding out for hope. 

7. She's Going, Boys

Implementing the same themes as Abandon Ship, as well as creakings of the dying ship, this track exquisitely shows the quiet sadness and tragedy as this great ship sunk. 

8. The March

Gritty and throbbing with a deep orchestra, this song shows the determination of these men to survive on the ice at all costs. 

9. Elephant Island

Mystical with flutes, this song captures the seafaring apprehension after the men's last encounter, and the weathered joy they felt at seeing the small island. 

10. 800 Miles

Pensive with sounds of deep guitar and crashing waves, this track explores the monotony and depression Shackleton and his men felt on the island.

11. South Georgia

Heartbreakingly triumphant, this song swells and breaks down with relief and glory at the rescue of these brave men. 

~

While this score might not be to the hights of Omaha Beach or the RMS Titanic, this score is still pretty amazing.

10/10, as always, because even if I don't love it, you might. 

~The WordShaker

Miracle in the Andes by Adam Young - Score Review

"The stories we love best do live in us forever," -JK Rowling

Every time I hear one of Adam Young's scores for the first time, I want to scream and shout. Because all these scores are are telling amazing stories through sound. And as a lover of great stories, I drink up every single second of these albums.

Not only do these perfectly reflect the time period, the emotions, and the event surrounding it, Adam always keeps it fresh and new. Like with the RMS Titanic, this is similar, and could be very similar, but Adam takes new and dark twists that always keep you entertained.

Blending the throbbing synths of The Ascent of Everest and the dangerous anxiety of Omaha Beach, the master has done it again.

This score is about the Andes flight disaster in 1972. With 45 passengers but only 16 survivors, this tells their story of how they survived in the Andes mountains for 2 months.

Listen to Miracle in the Andes here.

This time around, I must comment on the cover art. Not like it hasn't been spectacular, because it has, but as I was listening to this score for the first time, I just kept staring at the artwork.  I was just pulled in by the colors and the movement and lines. Everything about it perfectly embodies the score, and enriched the experience for me. Kudos, James R. Eads

On with the review!

~

1. The Fairchild

Impending yet beautiful, the violins in this track portray the doomed plane perfectly.  

2. Impact

Anxiety-producing and hauntingly striking, this score denotes the terrifying crash of Flight 517 in alternative groans and synths.

3. Making Water

The elusive keyboard in this track makes the listener feel the curiosity and desperation as the survivors melted snow.

4. The Dead

This track swells and breaks down with heavy violins, creating a chaotic image of death and flooding emotions.  

5. Avalanche

Crushing synths create the terrifying impact and ringing aftermath of thousands of tons of falling snow.

6. The Tail

An inventive and throbbing track with quirky electronic synths, this song rings with the creativity and desperation of the survivors traveling to civilization.  

7. Camera

Unique with sounds of the sun and wind, this track portrays the almost childlike wonder as the survivors found solace in the surreal experience.

8. Parrado and Canessa

Mournful with acoustic guitar, this track boasts with horns that create the image of two brave men who had to make hard decisions.  

9. The Rider

Triumphant with pulsing violins and horns, this score paints a beautiful picture of being rescued.

10. Rescue

Awestruck and traumatized, the kindred strings bring the survivors and the story to a close.

~

Since this is a lesser-known disaster, some background information is required. For example, tracks 6 and 7 might not make much sense to someone not familiar with this event. Parado and Canessa found the tail section on their journey to civilization, and used this as warmth for the few nights. The survivors also found a camera in the plane, of which they used to take photographs of themselves if anyone ever found them.  

Overall, this is an awesome score. Another solid addition to his discography.

~The WordShaker

My Review of Owl City's Mobile Orchestra

"Don't be afraid to write crap because crap makes good fertilizer," - Jessica Brody

Sorry for the lack of post last week. I have been on vacation and still am. Posting this now because I'm going to be traveling this weekend, and I don't know when I will have internet access to post. 

So, I am a huge Owl City fan.  I have loved him from the beginning.  Actually, probably not the beginning with Of June, but sometime between the Fireflies debut and All Things Bright and Beautiful.

But anyways, Owl City will forever be my core music.  Even if Adam Young changes, even if other music I like will come and go, there will always be Owl City.

Anyways, on to Mobile Orchestra.

1. Verge (feat. Aloe Blacc)

Star Rating: 2/5

Why I Chose this Rating: *deep sigh* This is kind of like Good Time, in the sense that it's a marketing campaign and just the purpose of being a single. Formulaic. Aloe Blacc has a nice voice, but again, he doesn't mesh well with Adam's voice.  I wish he'd go back to using Matthew Thiessen, Lights, and Breanne Duren as his backing vocals, because their voices were perfect for OC's sound and his voice. I don't have much else to say about this thing, other than the intro is stolen from Shooting Star and the bridge is from Wolf Bite.

Favorite Lyric: I ain't too sure what I believe in / But I believe in what I see / And when I close my eyes / I see my whole life ahead of me

2. I Found Love

Star Rating: 4/5

Why I Chose this Rating: I love this song, if Bird with a Broken Wing wasn't on here, this would probably be my favorite. I love this song, mostly because it reminds me of one of my characters and his almost-death and his love for my female main character.  It definitely rings true with his attitude, because he knows that his death is near.  This reminds me of TMS: Acoustic, which I like, with the strings and synths.  It's not amazing or mind-blowing, but it is sweet and reverent and desperate and bright and hopeful all at the same time.  I can definitely feel the love.

Favorite Lyric: I'm not afraid / Because your love / It falls like rain / It burns like fire

3. Thunderstruck (feat. Sarah Russell)

Star Rating: 4/5

Why I Chose this Rating: LOVE the EDM vibe here.  I love electronic music, so this is amazing.  It is complex, and dreamy in a more mature way that feels like lights are streaking by around you and you could jump up and dance and couple dance at the same time. I have never been in love, so it's harder for me to connect to his love songs, but I still like this one.  I still can rock out to it.  And Sarah Russell, who I have never heard of as well, is one of the only collab. artists whose voice meshes well with Adam's voice. Overall, awesome, but it will probably be better when I'm not as single as a sock after a cycle through the laundry.

Favorite Lyric: I chase the phantoms down the hall / I watch the floorboards rise and fall / I lost and never loved at all

4. My Everything

Star Rating: 3.5/5

Why I Chose this Rating: This is probably my favorite explicitly Christian songs Adam has made of late.  It seems to have more life and spunk than the other direct songs he's been putting out.  I can sing to it nicely and feel the reverence he has.

Favorite Lyric: And I sing, Hallelujah / My almighty God divine / Hallelujah / I am yours and you are mine / This is all I know I how to say / Hallelujah

5. Unbelievable (feat. Hanson)

Star Rating: 4/5

Why I Chose this Rating: This is such a fun song, and even though a lot of people dislike it because of it's simplicity, I am a child of the nineties, so this strikes my nostalgic vein.  This song is so happy-go-lucky, I can't help but smile, which is one of the qualities I always look for in an Owl City song. Hanson is a nice touch, even though I've never heard of them. It's a nice, bubbly change of pace in the midst of a darker album.

Favorite Lyric: It’s unbelievable / When I think back, I'm amazed / It’s unbelievable / Cause baby those were the days / It’s unbelievable / It ruled in so many ways / It’s unbelievable

6. Bird With a Broken Wing

Star Rating: 5/5

Why I Chose this Rating: This is by far my favorite song off of this album.  It's not as beautifully lyrical as his old stuff, but this song shows that he's still got the touch inside of him.  This is the classic Owl City sound: darkly encouraging. It shows Adam Young's will to survive, and his pure passion.  It goes back to his feeling of a misfit and a survivor in this hard life, which I connect with greatly. This song is just amazing in every way - from the lyrics to the pounding electric guitar to the hopeful darkness that lingers. I can't even.

Favorite Lyric: I'm an astronaut / On the ocean floor and basically the whole chorus.  Actually, the whole song.

7. Back Home (feat. Jake Owens)

Star Rating: 3.5/5

Why I Chose this Rating: Even though I hate hate hate country with a burning passion, I like this song.  It has a nice vibe, and it reminds me of small-town fun that I grew up and still experience.  It reminds me of late summer nights and snowball fights and wading through the river and fireworks and just everything small-town and humble.  Even though I usually dislike living in the small town midwest, this gives me perspective about how cool it is, regardless. The guitars are nice, but my only real critique of this song is that I just wish that it was only Adam singing.  Jake Owen's voice is okay, but it clashes and doesn't mix well with Adam's. This song would have gotten a four if it was 100% Adam Young.

Favorite Lyric: Personally, I love the entire chorus of this song: I'm saying goodbye to the skyline / Hello to the sweet pines / Gonna see you later street lights / I'm headed back to tree lines / To free time and starry nights / To bonfires and fire flies / Pack your bags it's time to go / Cause we got brighter lights back home

8. Can't Live Without You

Star Rating: 2.5/5

Why I Chose this Rating: I wish Adam would start writing songs like Galaxies, Meteor Shower, Tidal Wave, and Dreams and Disasters, songs where you would have to listen to them three or four times to know that they were about God. Unfortunately, all that's coming out is Christian contemporary run through the Owl City filter. That's what I loved about Owl City, is that he didn't bang you over the head with it. And yes, people and things change, but I personally liked the previous style better. This song, however, is unimpressive and lackluster.  He steals the hook melody from Wolf Bite, and the background synths are directly from Wolf Bite too.  It has a nice melody and aesthetic, but I'd like it much better if it had original background music and more creative and elusive lyrics.  It just doesn't seem as creative or original as the other songs on the album. But I feel like this is one of those songs that's going to grow on me. It, however, has a nice beat.

Favorite Lyric: When I trip and I fall / I collapse like a tidal wave

9&10. You're Not Alone (feat. Britt Nicole) and This Isn't the End

I will not be reviewing You're Not Alone and This Isn't the End, mostly because I'm a bit disappointed in Adam just tagging these two songs onto the end to make the album longer.  It shows . . . laziness.   And personally, I feel like he should have added Tokyo and Beautiful Times on.

Back to Mobile Orchestra, I have some last concluding thoughts. It struck some truly great notes (Bird With a Broken Wing, I Found Love, Thunderstruck, Back Home), but there were places that it went very wrong (Verge, the two tacked on songs at the end, all of the collaborations). Overall though, this album doesn't have much direction.  With all of the other Owl City albums, they had a common aesthetic and sound that made it an album, not just a collection of songs. There will be songs like Bird With a Broken Wing that I will always listen to for ages to come, but songs that I will definitely skip over.  Mobile Orchestra is a haystack, and it has some needles that need to be found.

However, I am afraid to say that I am quite disappointed with Owl City/Adam Young at the moment. Maybe it's not him.  Maybe it's his record company and his managers, but it seems that he's lost his focus, or is focusing on the wrong things, yet they keep making him pump out music. Which is wrong.

Maybe it will grow on me like The Midsummer Station did.

~The WordShaker