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All Things Bright and Beautiful
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All Things Bright and Beautiful Image
Metascore
49

Mixed or average reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 73 Ratings

  • Summary: The third studio album from Adam Young's Minnesota-based one-man band is melodic synth-pop laptop electronica.
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  • Record Label: Republic
  • Genre(s): Electronic, Pop/Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock, Indie Electronic, Emo-Pop
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Top Track

Alligator Sky
Where was I when the rockets came to life? And carried you away into the Alligator Sky? Even though I'll never know what's up ahead I'm never letting... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 15
  3. Negative: 3 out of 15
  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. 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
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. Consequence
    Jun 1, 2011
    50
    Overall, All Things Bright and Beautiful isn't a bad album; it's just not very interesting.
  7. 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.

See all 15 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 23
  3. Negative: 2 out of 23
  1. 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.… Expand
  2. clanky9
    May 12, 2021
    10
    My favourite album from him. Haters gonna hate but i love all of the songs in this album.
  4. Globalfist
    Jun 15, 2011
    10
    Every song is really really good! Even better than owl citys last album! The best songs are the real world and Deer in the headlights, but allEvery song is really really good! Even better than owl citys last album! The best songs are the real world and Deer in the headlights, but all the songs are good too.… Expand
  5. ReviewGuyX
    Oct 5, 2013
    10
    This album isn't for everyone since most people are into dub-step I think this album would be too cheerful for people. I honestly love thisThis album isn't for everyone since most people are into dub-step I think this album would be too cheerful for people. I honestly love this album; all the songs on it are catchy and original I know his metaphorical lyrics come off as rather cheesy and flowery but I honestly find it interesting and unique. I don't know what you other reviewers meant by "too much production". If the album had less production, people would complain that the album is "absent of instrumentation". There's no pleasing anyone, is there?… Expand
  6. Okami195
    Jul 8, 2011
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The reason why the overall rating is around the 5 mark is purely because Owl City its very much like Marmite as they say; those who love him really love him, but those who don't despise him. I happen to be on the positive side and, although I can understand where others are coming from, I think that All Things Bright and Beautiful is a triumph. In general, the diversity in this album strikes me. Considering how many people saw "Ocean Eyes" as "samey", the difference between the sad but optimistic ballad of "Hospital Flowers" and the rocky and incredibly powerful song of confusion that is "Angels", is huge. These songs along with the more pop-orientated "Alligator Sky" mark a new departure for Adam. Other highlights include the clever link between "January 28th 1986" and "Galaxies" where one song merges into the other, the comical search for love in "Deer in the Headlights", the power of "The Yacht Club" and the emotive lyrics of "Plant Life" that really do conjure a beautiful forest scene; "If I were to pluck on your heart strings/ would you strum on mine?" gives me shivers every time!

    In conclusion, All Things Bright and Beautiful isn't going to change the mind of avid haters, but for those who love Adam Young's work, buy it straight away because, as one of these fans, this album is easily one of my favourite pieces of music I've ever listened to. If you've never had an Owl City album before, I implore you to try All Things Bright and Beautiful because you may just absolutely adore it.    … Expand
  7. MacsMusic
    Jun 9, 2018
    9
    This was my first Owl City album, and pretty easily my favorite of his so far. The best word to describe this album is magical. The lyrics andThis was my first Owl City album, and pretty easily my favorite of his so far. The best word to describe this album is magical. The lyrics and music have a sense of magic and wonder not seen on any of Adam's other records. The songs on this album take me to another, more happy world. This is an wholly unique, magical album.… Expand
  8. yesplease
    Jul 1, 2011
    0
    The worst album of the year by far. I'm pretty sure it's equally, if not more so, terrible then his debut album. Owl City proves that someThe worst album of the year by far. I'm pretty sure it's equally, if not more so, terrible then his debut album. Owl City proves that some things in Minnesota should stay in Minnesota.… Expand

See all 23 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

54
#54 Most Discussed Album of 2011

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