Who: Owl City, the solo electro-pop project of Minnesotan daydreamer Adam Young began three years ago, when he began recording warm, shimmering tunes in his parents’ basement in off-hours from his job at a soda warehouse. His songs quickly became a MySpace phenomenon and his devoted online following helped Owl City score a deal with Universal Republic Records, who released Young’s major label debut, Ocean Eyes.

Sounds Like: Owl City’s sound is often compared to the Postal Service thanks to his combination of hushed, lovelorn vocals and chirping synthesizers (and Young’s uncanny vocal similarity to Ben Gibbard). But for Young, Owl City owes its sound to a combination of extremes, describing his music as a mix of the pure pop of Taylor Swift and the lush ambient techno of the German electronic label Kompakt. According to Young, “There’s something about that kind of electronic music or that kind of pop that allows me to mix melody and melancholy.”

Vital Stats:

• As with lots of escapist art, Owl City’s music was dreamed up in the most mundane of settings. “About two years ago I was working at a Coca-Cola warehouse all day,” Young says, adding that he worked with nice people, but the tedium of loading trucks led his mind to wander. “It allowed me to sort of dream up these projects. One wound up being Owl City. I thought through how I wanted it to sound, how I wanted the records to look, everything. Sometimes working in a monotonous environment can really free up your imagination.”

• While Ocean Eyes is rife with aquatic imagery and a sense of adventure, it was recorded in the total seclusion of a windowless basement. For Young, the two are related. “A lot of it has to do with me being by myself while creating it; no producers, no engineers. And that approach allows me to think more freely, I think.” While recording alone in a basement might not sound like the most inspirational of settings, Young used simple decorations to inspire his creativity. “I have a lot of landscape paintings to look at; lots of ethereal, dreamy nature photography. Having that stuff around really creeps in subconsciously to impact the music.”

• While Young owes Owl City’s early success largely to MySpace, he never thought of it as an Internet-only project. Despite the fact that individual songs like “Hello Seattle” have racked up over 6 million plays, for Young, it was one part of a whole. “I never wanted to let the platform limit me. I was always thinking about songs coming together as an album, and eventually having actual physical distribution, rather than just MP3s online. I think the connection you can make with people over the internet is pretty unique and spectacular, but I also think it’s a means to an end; you still want people to be able to hold your music, and you want them to be able to see you play.”

Get It Now: Watch the video for Owl City’s “Fireflies” above. Ocean Eyes is out now.

Source: Rolling Stone

This is the tracklisting for it:

01 Paramore – Ignorance 3:38
02 The All-American Rejects – Real World 4:02
03 Anberlin – Breaking 3:27
04 Collective Soul – Welcome All Again 3:01
05 Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Heads Will Roll 3:41
06 Silversun Pickups – The Royal We 4:46
07 Jet – She’s A Genius 2:59
08 Depeche Mode – Perfect 3:54
09 Five Finger Death Punch – Hard To See 3:27
10 Skillet – Monster 2:56
11 Hollywood Undead – Everywhere I Go 3:31
12 Owl City – Fireflies 3:49
13 Cage The Elephant – Back Against The Wall 3:03
14 Amazing Baby – Headdress 3:54
15 Eyes Set To Kill – The World Outside 3:47
16 Cartel – Let’s Go 2:41
17 Adelitas Way – Invincible 2:55
18 Monsters Of Folk – Say Please 2:48
19 Ida Maria – Oh My God 3:19
20 Jonas Sees In Color – Luck And Love 3:25

So as you can see, Owl City is on it. If you hear Owl City on a local radio station please let us know! (joe@alexzworld.com is my email) Also! Request Fireflies on your top 100 local radio stations (they play like Britney Spears, Flo Rida, Black Eyed Peas, etc).

Ocean Eyes is #27 on Billboard’s Top 200 for August 1st, 2009
It’s dropped to #54 though for August 8th, 2009

Ah! That’s still really good!

Band of the Day: Owl City

If you consider yourself a fan of The Postal Service, I’m quite certain you’ll enjoy the efforts of Adam Young, also known as Owl City. The  Owatonna, Minnesota-based multi-instrumentalist started making music in his parent’s basement, a result of his insomnia.  Young built a big following on the strength of his live show and via MySpace, and was recently signed by Universal Music.
Owl City is straightforward synth-emo-rock, but Young does craft some interesting songs. His second album, Ocean Eyes, is out later this summer.

Recommended Track: Fireflies, which is almost guaranteed to be appearing in a future episode of Grey’s Anatomy.

Source: The Ampersand

If you are at all familiar with Owl City then there isn’t a lot to talk about with ‘Ocean Eyes’ because this is just like every other album from the band. This record is seemingly aimed at the mainstream audience who hasn’t been exposed yet to such poppy electronic tunes before and pulling them under the hypnotic spell. “The Saltwater Room” which is arguably the best Owl City song with the back and forth male/female chorus does appear on the album, along with some old songs, but the new music hopefully should give long time fans something to hold onto.
  – Read More

Strangeglue rated Ocean Eyes a 4/10 (WHAT?) and even worse, said:

Ocean Eyes would’ve been so much better off if he seemed less desperate to impress and more willing to relax. Had he let his musician side do the talking instead of listening to what he’s been told will appeal, we feel it would’ve aided his début to no end. Every song seems fit to burst with convoluted characteristics, all aiming for the broadest demographic and refusing to try something experimental, even once.
  – Read More

When it comes down to it though, what they say doesn’t matter at all; it’s what you, the fan thinks.

–	28	OWL CITY		UNIVERSAL REPUBLIC	13,777
		OCEAN EYES

CHART DATE: 07/20/2009
LAST UPDATE: 07/20/2009 18:57:12

Top 100

93. “Come Back to Me” – David Cook
94. “Vanilla Twilight” – Owl City
95. “Viva La Vida” – Cold Play
 
 

Electonic Genre:

1. “I’m in Miama Bitch” – LMFAO
2. “Vanilla Twilight” – Owl City
3. “Hot Air Balloon” – Owl City
4. “Paper Planes” – MIA
5. “I’m in Miama Trick” – LMFAO
6. “Shots” – LMFAO ft Lil Jon
7. “Cave In” – Owl City
8. “Hello Seattle” – Owl City
9. “Strawberry Avalanche” – Owl City
10. “Ruby Blue” – Roisin Murhphy

Also Ocean Eyes is #1 on the Electronic Top Album Charts

Due to “Fireflies” Picked as iTunes Single of the Week, Owl City Released Ocean Eyes Exclusively via iTunes on July 14th and in 24 Hours is Ruling the iTunes Charts!

#2 on OVERALL iTunes Top 100Album Chart
(Alongside The Dead Weather and Michael Jackson)

#1 on iTunes Top Electronic Albums Chart
(Alongside Passion Pit and Major Lazer)

3 Albums Currently on iTunes Top 10 Electronic Albums Chart

The highly coveted iTunes feature is the first to reveal a new song from the highly anticipated and long awaited physical release debut Ocean Eyes, out July 28th.

This special announcement comes on the heels of what has already been an extremely successful summer for Owl City.

The band continues to dominate the charts at iTunes and expand upon the impressive online presence that is growing exponentially.

• » 9 songs in the Top 100 Electronic Tracks on iTunes (as of 7/8/09)
• » 2 albums in the Top 10 Electronic Albums on iTunes (as of 7/8/09)
• » 310,000+ tracks and 33,000+ albums sold digitally (as of 7/8/09)
• » 35,358,564 total plays on MySpace (as of 7/8/09)
• » 100,000+ plays per day
• » #4 most played act on MySpace
• SOLD OUT Summer Tour including appearances at Sasquatch Festival and Summerfest
• » SPIN proclaimed Owl City one of the 10 Must-Watch Acts at this year’s Sasquatch festival and EXCLUSIVELY premiered the single “Strawberry Avalanche” on June 1st.  The single has since been purchased 9,000+ times.
• » Tastemaker site AOL Spinner premiered the song “Hot Air Balloon” on May 1st and it debuted at #1 on AOL Music’s Top 40 Songs Chart with more 270,000 streams the first week – ahead of Beyonce, Ciara and Katy Perry among others.  In June the song ended up in the #3 position in AOL Music’s Top 40 Songs Chart.  To date, the song has been purchased over 12,400+ times and fans that flocked to the Owl City site for a free MP3 of the song with an email sign-up have downloaded it over 17,000 times.

Owl City is poised to take over the national scene with amazing sales, sold out shows, and a fervent fanbase all contributing. Now is your time to get in on the way up!

Source: Gighive

I’m not a big fan of Myspace videos, so there’s the Youtube one

You would not believe your eyes if ten million fireflies lit up the world as I fell asleep.

‘Cause they fill the open air and leave teardrops everywhere. You’d think me rude but I would just stand and stare.

I’d like to make myself believe that planet Earth turns slowly. It’s hard to say that I’d rather stay awake when I’m sleep, ’cause everything is never as it seems.

‘Cause I’d get a thousand hugs from ten thousand lightning bugs as they tried to teach me how to dance. A fox trot above my head, a sock hopped beneath my bed, a disco ball is just hanging by a thread.

I’d like to make myself believe that planet Earth turns slowly. It’s hard to say that I’d rather stay awake when I’m asleep ’cause everything is never as it seems. (When I fall asleep)

Leave my door open just a crack. (Please take me away from here) ‘Cause I feel like such an insomniac. (Please take me away from here)

Why do I tire of counting sheep (Please take me away from here) when I’m far too tired to fall asleep?

To ten million fireflies I’m weird ’cause I hate goodbyes. I got misty eyes as they said farewell. (Said farewell) But I’ll know where several are if my dreams get real bizzare
‘Cause I saved a few and I keep them in a jar.

I’d like to make myself believe that planet Earth turns slowly. It’s hard to stay that I’d rather stay awake when I’m asleep, ’cause everything is never as it seems. (When I fall asleep)

I’d like to make myself believe that planet Earth turns slowly. It’s hard to say that I’d rather stay awake when I’m asleep, ’cause everything is never as it seems. (When I fall asleep)

I’d like to make myself believe that planet Earth turns slowly. It’s hard to say that I’d rather stay awake when I’m asleep because my dreams are bursting at the seams.

Get it now here! The new “The Saltwater Room” isss AMAZING!

Thanks to our dear friend, Brandon (NowArrivingInOwlCity) for these lyrics!

You Would Not Believe Your Eyes
If Ten-Million Fireflies
Lit Up the World
As I Fell Asleep

‘Cause they fill the open air
And leave teardrops everywhere
You’d Think We’d Run
But I Would Just Stand And Stare

(I’d Like to make myself believe)
(That Planet Earth turns Slowly)
(It’s hard to say That I’d Rather Stay awake when I’m Asleep)
(’Cause Everything Is Never As It Seems)

‘Cause I’d Get A thousand Hugs
From Ten-thousand Lightning Bugs
As They Try To Teach me How To Dance

A Fox Trot Above my Head
A Sock Hop Beneath My Bed
A Disco Ball is Just Hanging By a Thread

I’d Like to make myself believe
That Planet Earth turns Slowly
It’s hard to say That I’d Rather Stay awake when I’m Asleep
‘Cause Everything Is Never As It Seems
(When I Fall Asleep)

Leave My Door Open Just a Crack
(Please Take Me Away From Here)
‘Cause I Feel Like Such an Insomniac
(Please Take Me Away From Here)
Why Do I Tire of Counting Sheep
(Please Take Me Away From Here)
When I’m Far Too Tired To Fall Asleep

To Ten-Million Fireflies
Weird ’cause I Have Goodbyes
I Got Misty Eyes
as They Said “Farewell”
(Farewell)
But I’ll Know Where Several Are
If My Dreams Get Real Bizarre
‘Cause I’d Save a Few
And I’d Keep Them In A Jar

I’d Like to make myself believe
That Planet Earth turns Slowly
It’s hard to say That I’d Rather Stay awake when I’m Asleep
‘Cause Everything Is Never As It Seems
(When I Fall Asleep)

I’d Like to make myself believe
That Planet Earth turns Slowly
It’s hard to say That I’d Rather Stay awake when I’m Asleep
‘Cause Everything Is Never As It Seems
(When I Fall Asleep)

(I’d Like to make myself believe)
(That Planet Earth turns Slowly)
(It’s hard to say That I’d Rather Stay awake when I’m Asleep)
(Because My Dreams Are Bursting At The Seems)

More music video information will be released in a couple days, keep your eyes on OwlCity.org for more information.

a little birdie told me that the ‘Hello Seattle’ remix will be on Itunes the same day as the album release. You might find that’s not the only ‘unexpected’ surprise ; ) …wait & see.

¡ɐɥɐɥɐɥ ¡spɹɐʍʞɔɐq puɐ uʍop ǝpısdn ƃuıdʎʇ ɯ,ı ¡ʞooן
about 3 hours ago from web

A rubber band pistol was confiscated from algebra class because it was a weapon of math disruption.
about 23 hours ago from web

Last day of tour with my reliable friends in @relientK. Had a blast! Thanks for all the nice happy birthday wishes today, everyone!
12:02 AM Jul 6th from web

Staff applications will be up soon!

10 Guys I Think Would Make Cool Dads
‘Sup Buzznet? In honor of Daddy Day, I’m going to make a list of the top 10 fellows I’ve come to know, that I think would make very cool guys to call Pops. (Despite the fact that I already have a super rad daddy.) Hope you enjoy the list!
In no specific order:

4) Adam Young
Of Owl City

Not only would I inherit his good looks and devilish charm, but I’d get to grow up in a hot air balloon, or a saltwater room – which sounds very fun.

See the rest of the list here.

Courtesy of ak99superstar. We’ll have download links up for you guys soon

SWD = Swimming With Dolphins by the way haha.