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Fair enough.

My diminishing taste for Scooter seems to be predicated on both the time elapsed from the moment I first stumbled upon them, to the continual need to raise my expectations of them to unattainable levels. I persistently find myself imagining what the next album is going to be like, which, to me, reaches a height of sheer perfection and sophistication. In some ways I think it should! Of course the final product is never what you expect it to be. After a long lineal sequence of saddening disappointment, you eventually become tired of anticipating much of anything. You can only take so much as a fan that it's only a matter of time that doubt begins to manifest itself. It'll cloud and literally dictate your judgement for every new bit of work. Understandably, you want them to capture the same level of impressiveness that they managed to impart on you with each new record that's released. It's made difficult because the greatness of the record to which you label the best, has only reached such a personal status because of the nostalgia that's inevitably associated with it by the listener. Looking for that same buzz is hindered by that euphoric experience given to you from your favourite record. So, each new record has to compete with that-- and it's no straight forward task. Yet, I still feel it obligatory to wait it out and hope for the best. It's a rather silly thing really.

Owl City, on the other hand, presents a fresh new wave of awesomeness that excites you to the same degree that the old favourite of yours inspired originally. That crazy fanatical spark is reignited, and the torch is ceremoniously passed. The whole process of elevating, or maybe even exaggerating, his ability as a musician seems to be beginning anew in Adam, which will presumably end the same way with me discrediting his ability to produce something that doesn't shatter my arguably difficult expectations. In other words, there's a chance I'm setting the bar far too high. And, evidently, his unprecedented success with Fireflies, to which he actually was close to deleting off Ocean Eyes, has put him a rather precarious position of trying to match that momentum. I sense fans and general music enthusiasts aware of him alike will be expecting something grandly spectacular of him. I imagine the pressure would be somewhat overwhelming for him...

I have faith that Owl City isn't going to present itself in the same disappointing cycle that Scooter is currently putting me through. I now confess to using the word 'faith' sparingly, as no other word has proven to be such a cop out throughout human history. But it is 'faith' nevertheless, for I cannot be sure one way or the other that Adam isn't going to further captivate me. Unless I was psychic; which unfortunately is not the case. It would be nice to have such a gift, for it'd spare me the uncertainty of what's to come. But where's the fun in that? I'd rather take my chances and admit right now that Adam Young has managed to take Scooter's place of #1. I say this unapologetically! And instead of compromising my love for Owl City in the same fashion as Scooter, I should perhaps refrain from expecting anything more than above average enjoyment. Whatever I decide to think or go about things, they'll be a time when my love for Owl City undergoes the same scrutiny that I'm putting Scooter through. Such is the reality with music for me.

Here's my little collection.

Compliment my assortment of Owl City goodies.

Still my favourite bit of recorded footage from a concert so far (aside from the Meteor Shower performance in London).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_LFPZ_QvyU&feature=related


Even as an anti-theist, I can still nevertheless feel the remarkable transcendental quality to this piece.


It's absolutely magnificent.

I also feel the twelfth track of the album 'Ocean Eyes' to be unjustly underexposed. I would have thought 'Tidal Wave' would have resonated emotionally with alot of people today. It's unheard of presence in Owl City's concert tracklists is a real shame to me. Like Meteor Shower, This is the Future and The Technicolour Phase; it has this magical quality to it that warrants it being included in the spotlight. And what's definitely the greatest thing about it is the final set of lyrics.

Quoted

It hurts just to wake up
Whenever you're wearing thin
Alone on the outside
So tired of looking in

The end is uncertain
And I've never been so afraid
But I don't need a telescope
To see that there's hope
And that makes me feel brave

As someone who is still going through a personal battle to determine my identity, these last few lines are truly something special. It is a reassuring feeling to know that there is hope and there are people around you who'll support you 100% to get you through the rough times. Whilst there's a measurable degree of despair-- there's also mountains of love and hope. Lots of reasons to keep your head up and go on... Yup, I adore these lyrics.

See what I mean?

Like Meteor Shower, the track can be interpreted in a number of different ways. There's no specificity that would disqualify any other emotionally sourced interpretation. One doesn't have to subscribe to a certain idea about the universe and how it came about in order to draw inspiration from it. It reverberates and talks to me on an entirely different level. And I think that immense power should have been refined for his concerts. Perhaps adding something from Port Blue, like Enchanted Evening with Meteor Shower, which I still hope to be released on a bonus CD on the forthcoming album, would have been a nice touch. Still upset that the UK tour was cancelled, as MS was something special.

A boring Sunday afternoon can only be alleviated by some exciting Owl City discussion. Come on peoples!

And on a slightly unrelated note, what do we think of the wonderful Lights Valerie Poxleitne? I became familiar with her music when Owl City were touring with her a few months ago. Purchased her Lights EP shortly afterwards and found it to be quite an enchanting thing. Her first album was released last year in Canada, I think; and was later released in Britain in May 2010. I got myself the MP3 download from Amazon. It's such a beautifully composed thing and she has a very sweet singing voice. Every track captures you with its immense infectiousness, and you're invariably left wanting more and more. It has that same innocence and sweetness that critics have picked up on Owl city. There's something in there that just yells enjoy the fine things in life and don't get caught up in the complications.


'The Listening', which is Lights first album, doesn't contain a single track worthy of ignoring. Sometimes you get artists releasing albums with only a few notable tracks worth listening to again; but not with this Canadian treasure. Like Owl City's unforgettable repertoire, this sweetheart has released an album that contains nothing but pure unadulterated excellence. Every track has it's own catchy uniqueness that gives the album that all important replay value that just doesn't cease. My favourite track shares the same name as the album title, and I LOVE it to pieces. Months have passed and it still hasn't grown old or dull. Pure awesomeness. The other ones that's stuck with me considerably is Up, Up and Away, which was an American or Canadian iTunes exclusive. Had to get it the illegal way seen as I couldn't get it by any other means. Anyway, it's an absolute treasure and I adore it! My adoration for this beautiful girl keeps on rising astronomically.


If you haven't checked her music out Floody, I hereby command you to do it now. I won't ask Jay as he's made his opinion of her quite clear in the past. Sometimes he makes me Sick! Just kidding.

An Essential Studio Update:

Quoted

As it stands, I’m about three quarters of the way finished with a new collection of songs and I couldn’t be more excited about them. A lot of people have asked what I planned to do at the outset of this record, namely whether I’d record it in a corporate studio or stick to the basement (or “bat cave” in layman’s terms), and I opted for the latter. Somehow I feel as though a ticking clock would rush me into thinking I had to make everything perfect FIVE MINUTES AGO, and suddenly the idea of making a new record reminded me of when I used to load package trucks for UPS.


Work.


Then again, I always seem to forget how much work it takes to make an entire record from scratch, and when you do everything yourself (aside from having it mastered), the process claims a lot of your time and energy as well. But as I told my mother a few nights ago, [i]“Hey, as long as I can just make music and buy groceries, I’ll be the happiest boy in the world until the day I die.”

Quoted

...........


We’re in the home stretch now. My buddy Matt Thiessen weighed in on the album and there are a few other collaborations in the works as well. There’s a few different ways to play out a subsequent record and from day one, I wanted none of them to leave me in a “sophomore slump.” It would be a disservice to put out a new album that sounded way too similar to anything I’ve done in the past, yet there’s always the risk of changing a bit too much. Thus, there are a few places on the new record that step outside the Owl Box for a moment before returning, and I’m really excited about the idea of exploring new territory within those moments because it’ll be something I’ve never done before.......

http://www.owlcityblog.com/ [/i]

A VERY embarrassing update from Adam's Owl City blog;

Quoted

I was up late last night and decided to record a “cover song” of sorts.
Not for anything special, just for fun.
I’m twenty four years old, yet something about this song makes me ball like a baby. The way the melodies and lyrics swirl together is so poignant and beautiful. If I were to count on one hand, the number of songs that have ever deeply moved me, this one would take the cake. Last night I probably spent more time actually crying at the piano than I did recording it. Such are the secret confessions of a shy boy from Minnesota.

Quoted

Entitled In Christ Alone, written by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend.

In Christ alone, my hope is found

He is my light, my strength, my song

This cornerstone, this solid ground

Firm through the fiercest drought and storm

What heights of love, what depths of peace

When fears are stilled, when strivings cease

My comforter, my all-in-all

Here in the love of Christ I stand
There in the ground His body lay

Light of the world by darkness slain

Then bursting forth in glorious day

Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory

Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me

For I am His and He is mine

Bought with the precious blood of Christ
No guilt in life, no fear in death

This is the power of Christ in me

From life’s first cry to final breath

Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell, no scheme of man

Can ever pluck me from His hand

Till He returns or calls me home

Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand

As I’m so often reminded what a priceless gift my life is, I ache with everything in me to make it count, so that when I finally cross the finish line, I’ll hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Give me a break...

Although this quote is PRICELESS "Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Now ladies and gentlemen, we turn to Christopher Hitchens: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7UImBPq4WI&feature=related

I love you Adam.... but wow.

Okay, so taking a break from the philosophical discussion! lol

Thanks to Miss May, I am in love with Owl City and Lights!

My favorite tracks from Ocean eyes are:

Fireflies: It reminds me of my childhood!

On the Wing: The lyrics are spectacular!

Hello Seattle: The last part of the song is just cool. I like the way it feels to me!

And with Lights!

Second Go and Drive my Soul. Both are very creative and cute.

Coolio.


Lights' new single 'My Boots' is also recommended.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiLHe3mkJf0&ob=av2n

It's the perfect song for the Winter.

I desperately need some Ugg Boots this season. It's always raining here at the moment, and I suspect it won't start snowing 'till January. Looking forward to walking through the thick snow again! Yeaaaah.

I actually thought Norway was always covered in snow.

Sucks about the rain. Considering it pretty much rains here throughout the year, it's not unusual to have most of the Winter weather dominated by never-ending rain. It makes getting about so freakin' miserable. Yeah, it's a pain to get around in snow too - but at least it's kinda fun with all the ice that occasionally causes you to fall. Can be soooo funny. Not so good for transportation, but I don't have to commute that way for another few months. W00t. Yes, send me all the snow you have. Britain needs it so bad. It ALWAYS affects our schools and businesses. The country literally falls apart! That bits not so good (except for students, obvs).

@WickedScooterGirl: What do you think of Adam's cover of 'In Christ Alone'? I'm shocked that Floody Ice has nothing to say about it. Hell must have frozen over.