"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.
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.
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
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