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All Things Bright and Beautiful (album)

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All Things Bright and Beautiful
Studio album by
Owl City
ReleasedJune 14, 2011
StudioSky Harbor Studios (Owatonna, MN), Tree Sound Studios (Atlanta, GA), South Coast Studios (ON, Canada), The Brown Owl (Nashville, TN)
Genre
Length40:45
LabelUniversal Republic
ProducerAdam Young
Owl City chronology
Ocean Eyes
(2009) 		All Things Bright and Beautiful
(2011) 		Shooting Star
(2012)
Singles from All Things Bright and Beautiful
  1. "Alligator Sky"
    Released: March 22, 2011[1]
  2. "Galaxies"
    Released: April 19, 2011[2]
  3. "Lonely Lullaby"
    Released: July 19, 2011[3]
  4. "Angels"
    Released: September 20, 2011[4]

All Things Bright and Beautiful is the third studio album by the American electronica project Owl City. It was released on June 14, 2011, by Universal Republic Records.[5] Despite receiving mixed critical reviews, it became a commercial success, reaching No. 6 on the Billboard 200.

The album's title is based on the hymn of the same name.[6]

Writing and development

The album sees Adam Young continuing his synth-pop stylings while also experimenting with indie rock, folk, European trance on "Galaxies" and rap on "Alligator Sky". Guest musicians on the album include Shawn Chrystopher, Matthew Thiessen, Lights, Breanne Düren and Adam Young's mother, Joan Young.[7]

Production for the album began around mid-2010 after he returned home from his Ocean Eyes World Tour.[8][9] The album was originally planned to have a worldwide release date of May 24, 2011.[10] It was then changed to May 17.[11] On April 6, however, Young posted on his official site that the release date had been bumped to June 14, 2011.[12] He stated that the reason for this was, "In an attempt to better connect the dots and ensure that every cloud in the sky is stitched together with its own special silver lining", and "with school finally out for the summer, it'll be a perfect time to sit back and watch the fireworks." Along with this post were previews of four tracks from the new album, each being 1:30 long. The previews posted were of "Alligator Sky" (featuring Shawn Chrystopher), "Deer in the Headlights", "Galaxies" and "Dreams Don't Turn to Dust".[13]

On the introductory track to "Galaxies", entitled "January 28, 1986" (the date of the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster), Ronald Reagan's State of the Union speech is sampled.[14]

In an interview with Us Weekly on June 15, 2011, a day after the album's release, Young revealed that the album originally intended to have Taylor Swift as another guest, but was unable to do so, due to her being busy outside of the United States at the time. He also added about having her in a specific song, which may or may not be one of the songs in the album.[15]

I was hoping to work with her on this new record. I had this great song that I was dying to have her voice in so I tried to get it on there but she was in Europe or Australia somewhere, very busy which I totally get having been on this wild roller coaster myself for the past two years. I can't even imagine what she's up against so it didn't work out, but maybe the next record. It would be awesome to feature her on a song someday.
— Adam Young in Us Weekly interview.[15]

Singles

The first official single released from the album was "Alligator Sky", which features Californian rapper Shawn Chrystopher, was released on April 12, 2011. There are four versions of the track. The first version features Shawn Chrystopher, the second features different lyrics and Chrystopher's vocals are omitted, a third version featuring Atlanta rapper B.o.B leaked online,[16] and finally a fourth version featuring vocals from Big Boi of Atlanta hip hop duo Outkast also leaked onto the internet.[17]

On April 19, 2011, "Galaxies" was released as the second single from the album, and was made available for purchase and download on iTunes. The song peaked at number 39 on the US Hot Christian Songs chart, surpassing "Fireflies", which peaked at No. 44 (2010).[18] It has since then re-entered the chart at No. 48 in the week of September 24, 2011.[18]

"Galaxies" (2011)
Sample of the song "Galaxies" from Owl City's album All Things Bright and Beautiful.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

An exclusive single, "Lonely Lullaby", was released to all members of Owl City Galaxy, a club that users automatically became a part of when they pre-ordered the album.[19] The song mentions an "Annmarie" many times, a reference to Adam Young's ex-girlfriend, Annmarie Monson.[20] This song, however, is not actually part of the album. The app was discontinued in mid-2013. The song later was released as a single on July 19, 2011, making it officially available to people outside of Owl City Galaxy. The song has been met with some commercial success, peaking at number 12 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100.[21]

"Angels" was released on September 20, 2011 as the fourth and final single from the album. The song was serviced to Christian radio stations that same day.

Promotional singles

"Deer in the Headlights" was released digitally on May 23, 2011.[22] The single was announced in a different way than what is considered traditional. Starting May 16, 2011, every day of that week part of the song would be added to the sneak peek.[23] It was originally just called "New Song", and fans had to guess the new song. The first part of the song to be released were the drums, followed by the addition of bass, guitar, synthesizer, and vocals over the next four days. On the final day, the title for the song was announced.[24] Electropop artist Lights made an appearance in the music video.[25]

"Dreams Don't Turn to Dust" was released on October 10, 2011, as the second promotional single from the album. It was released exclusively in the United Kingdom.[26]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic49/100[27]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[28]
Consequence of SoundD[29]
Entertainment WeeklyB−[30]
The Guardian[31]
IGN8/10[32]
Jesus Freak Hideout[33]
NewsdayA−[34]
NME[35]
Rolling Stone[36]
Spin5/10[37]
USA Today[38]

All Things Bright and Beautiful has received mixed reviews, gaining a 49/100 score from Metacritic,[27] an 8/10 score from IGN[32] and a score of 5/10 from Spin.[37] AllMusic writer Andrew Leahey praised the sound of the disc, calling Young "a top-notch producer; his music pops and fizzes with glitchy electronics, which he splashes throughout the track list like effervescent paint, and the songs all have an otherworldly sound about them, as though they were born in space and sent back to Earth in futuristic clothing." However, he derided the actual musical content, saying "there's no bite to Young’s sugary confections, no break from the electro-pop treacle that he churns out like an emo Willy Wonka." He ended up awarding the disc 2.5 stars of a possible 5.[28] Caroline Sullivan of The Guardian stated that the album, "suffers from a lack of substance."[31] Allison Stewart of The Washington Post called the album, "the Postal Service for tweens" at its best.[39] Rudy K of Sputnikmusic remarked, "Adam's lyrics may be poetry, but it's All Things Bright and Beautiful's array of effervescent electro-pop backing tracks that make them into an organic artistic statement." She also stated that the album, "leaves no musical stone unturned."[40]

A positive review came from Glenn Gamboa of Newsday. He remarked, "Young's gotten sharper lyrically and brought some new influences into his musical world." He praised the "nice change of pace" on the track "Kamikaze" and stated that "Galaxies", "is irresistible even before its Eurodisco-driven refrain."[34] Scott Fryberger of Jesus Freak Hideout stated that the record, "will take the position of 2011's best pop album."[33] Billboard magazine stated, "The melodies are so infectiously tuneful that you'd feel like you're kicking a puppy to say anything bad about them... the album has its darker and edgier moments in the aggressive attack of 'Kamikaze', the ambivalent twist of fate in 'Hospital Flowers' and the mournful tone of 'Galaxies'."[41] Stephan Robinson of Cross Rhythms praised the Christian-themed nature of the album. He noted "Galaxies" as the highlight of the album, "due to both the Christian message and the catchy flying-through-space feel music that sticks in the mind as being a reminder that Owl City really is a top rate talent, despite what some of the trendier critics say."[42]

Commercial performance

In the US, the album debuted at No. 6 on the Billboard 200 chart selling 48,000 copies.[43] In Germany, the album only reached No. 69 for one week before falling off the chart, charting lower than Ocean Eyes, which charted for 9 weeks and peaked at No. 7.[44] In the United Kingdom, the album peaked at number 52 staying just one week on the chart. In Canada, All Things Bright and Beautiful peaked at number seven. To date, the album has sold 143,000 copies in the US.[45]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Adam Young, except where noted

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."The Real World" 3:34
2."Deer in the Headlights" 3:00
3."Angels" 3:40
4."Dreams Don't Turn to Dust" 3:44
5."Honey and the Bee" (featuring Breanne Düren) 3:44
6."Kamikaze" 3:27
7."January 28, 1986" (Intro to "Galaxies") 0:37
8."Galaxies" 4:03
9."Hospital Flowers" 3:39
10."Alligator Sky" (featuring Shawn Chrystopher)Adam Young, Shawn Chrystopher3:05
11."The Yacht Club" (featuring Lights) 4:32
12."Plant Life"Adam Young, Matt Thiessen4:10
Total length:40:45
iTunes bonus tracks
No.TitleLength
13."How I Became the Sea"4:25
14."Alligator Sky" (No Rap version)3:15
Total length:48:35
Owl City Galaxy bonus track
No.TitleLength
1."Lonely Lullaby"4:28
German iTunes and Japanese edition bonus tracks[46]
No.TitleLength
13."How I Became the Sea"4:25
14."Shy Violet"3:49
15."To the Sky"3:40
Total length:52:39
Taiwan edition bonus tracks
No.TitleLength
13."Alligator Sky" (No Rap version)4:28

Personnel

Owl City

  • Adam Young – vocals, keyboards, piano, synthesizers, guitars, bass, drums, programming, percussion, glockenspiel, marimba, accordion, producer, engineer, art direction, audio mixer

Additional musicians and production

  • Breanne Düren – additional vocals on track 5
  • Shawn Chrystopher – additional vocals on track 10
  • Lights – additional vocals on track 11
  • Joan Young – backing vocals on track 9
  • Matthew Thiessen – backing vocals on track 12
  • Laura Musten – violin on tracks 4, 6, 10 & 13
  • Hannah Schroeder – cello on tracks 6, 7, 10 & 13
  • Daniel Jorgensen – vibraphone on tracks 4 & 7
  • Steve Bursky – producer, management & hand claps on track 5
  • Ted Jensen – mastering
  • StudioAKT – art direction
  • Jack Joseph Puig – audio mixer
  • Joe Corey – audio mixer assistant

Charts

References

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  2. ^ "Galaxies – Single by Owl City – Download Galaxies – Single on iTunes". Itunes.apple.com. Archived from the original on March 6, 2012. Retrieved November 29, 2011.
  3. ^ "iTunes – Music – Lonely Lullaby – Single by Owl City". Itunes.apple.com. July 19, 2011. Retrieved November 29, 2011.
  4. ^ "R&R Going for Adds: Christian CHR". Radio & Records. Archived from the original on December 24, 2013. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
  5. ^ "iTunes – Music – All Things Bright and Beautiful (Bonus Track Version) by Owl City". Itunes.apple.com. June 10, 2011. Retrieved November 29, 2011.
  6. ^ Dan MacIntosh (June 6, 2012). "Song Facts' interview with Adam Young of Owl City". Songfacts. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
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  16. ^ MzHipHop3 (April 29, 2011). "Owl City Feat. B.o.B. – Alligator Sky (New 2011)!!". YouTube. Retrieved November 29, 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
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