All Things Bright and Beautiful
by Owl City
  • Record Label: Republic
  • Release Date: Jun 14, 2011
Metascore
49

Mixed or average reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 15
  3. Negative: 3 out of 15
Buy Now
Buy on
  1. Billboard.com
    Jun 30, 2011
    73
    The dozen tracks of effervescent, shimmering, faith-based synth pop blend Young's adenoidal, Warped tour-ready vocals with a decidedly '80s new wave flavor.
  2. Q Magazine
    Jun 20, 2011
    60
    Despite it's title and Young's Ben Folds-esque vocals, All Things Bright and Beautiful keeps its beliefs at a distance for the most part. [July 2011, p. 117]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. New Musical Express (NME)
    Jun 20, 2011
    20
    Soppy nostalgia that bares little else.
  5. The Guardian
    Jun 16, 2011
    40
    Like its predecessor, Ocean Eyes – an unexpectedly big US hit thanks to its flyweight lead single, Fireflies – this album suffers from a lack of substance.
  6. Boston Globe
    Jun 14, 2011
    70
    On All Things Bright he treads ingratiatingly melodic, lyrically twee, electro-pop territory that will be familiar to fans.
  7. The A.V. Club
    Jun 14, 2011
    50
    For the most part, the songs are unable to transcend their cheesiness, turning Young's formula from winning to wincing.
  8. AllMusic
    Jun 14, 2011
    50
    The 12 songs on All Things Bright and Beautiful, Owl City's third album, certainly demand the audience's imagination -- or at least their willingness to go along with the world Adam Young dreams up, a cartoonish place where the skies look like alligators, the rivers taste like fruit, and emeralds poke their heads out of every rock.
  9. American Songwriter
    Jun 14, 2011
    60
    No fear on this album, none. It's an all-out emotional outpour, from the ballads to the rockers, a focus that makes sense in its own way.
  10. Rolling Stone
    Jun 14, 2011
    40
    Listening to an Owl City song is like speed-eating a box of Girl Scout cookies: You go from tasty to pukey in minutes.
  11. Entertainment Weekly
    Jun 9, 2011
    67
    Even on All Things Bright and Beautiful's grandly titled "The Yacht Club," he laments that his heart "can't harbor this paddleboat."
  12. Consequence
    Jun 1, 2011
    50
    Overall, All Things Bright and Beautiful isn't a bad album; it's just not very interesting.
  13. Spin
    May 25, 2011
    50
    Featuring 11 miniscule variations on Fireflies, the giddy worldwide smash that put home-studio boffin Adam Young on the map, this unrelentingly wide-eyed follow-up offers more genteel Christian rock reconfigured as techno lite.
  14. No Ripcord
    May 24, 2011
    0
    Owl City is electro-pop's unwanted bastard child, combining all the worst elements of the genre. The production is lazy and unbelievably dull.
  15. Alternative Press
    May 19, 2011
    70
    Owl City's second major-label effort is much more mature, dynamic and well-rounded. [Jun 2011, p.109]
    All this publication's reviews
  16. The Boston Phoenix
    May 19, 2011
    12
    All Things Bright and Beautiful, 12 sterilized laptop clunkers that are indeed bright but far from beautiful. There's no maturity in sight.

Awards & Rankings

54
#54 Most Discussed Album of 2011

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 73 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 53 out of 73
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 73
  3. Negative: 17 out of 73
  1. sadpanda
    Jun 16, 2011
    0
    Awful, sugary manufactured pop music that will turn from (somewhat) heartwarming to nauseating within minutes of your listening. I beg of you;Awful, sugary manufactured pop music that will turn from (somewhat) heartwarming to nauseating within minutes of your listening. I beg of you; avoid All Things Bright and Beautiful at all costs if you would like to keep your sanity when you listen to music.… Full Review »
  2. cryhardhumor
    Apr 27, 2015
    10
    It's gorgeous, catchy and feels like it was really written from the heart. Each individual song doesn't just feel like a cookie cutterIt's gorgeous, catchy and feels like it was really written from the heart. Each individual song doesn't just feel like a cookie cutter electronic pop song, but instead possesses a personal loving touch, which effectively delivers the messages straight to the heart.… Full Review »
  3. MoonDreamer
    Jul 10, 2011
    8
    What a shame for an album that innovating and refreshing to have a score of only 5.2!
    As said before, Young's Owl City is dividing listeners    What a shame for an album that innovating and refreshing to have a score of only 5.2!
    As said before, Young's Owl City is dividing listeners into haters and lovers and, despite some apprehension, I have to admit that I belong to those who are enchanted by his music.
    This album really shows the musical maturity of this project: Young tries new things and each song carries a completely different universe of its own.
    Just take a minute to listen to Alligator Sky, Galaxies, Kamikaze or Angels and you'll be convinced that Young has more potential that what a lot of haters think.    … Full Review »
See all user reviews »