Summary:The fifth full-length release for Adam Young's electronic project features guest appearances from Aloe Blacc, Hanson, Britt Nicole, Jake Owen, and Sarah Russell.
Young still doesn't do darkness as well as light but Mobile Orchestra shows a willingness to grow and change that makes it the most complete portrait of Owl City's music yet.
The artist widened his palette this time, bringing in the country singer Jake Owen on one track, and soul star Aloe Blacc on a song that aims to repeat the magic Blacc struck on Aviici’s “Wake Me Up.” Unfortunately, Young’s nerdy sensibility kills that.
Adam Young= PURE AWESOME SYNTHPOP. I loved every track especially This Isn't The End and Back Home. His collaborations are the best! This is aAdam Young= PURE AWESOME SYNTHPOP. I loved every track especially This Isn't The End and Back Home. His collaborations are the best! This is a must-listen!…Expand
Cheesy songs but not bad album. The songs like "Verge", "Thunderstruck and "Unbelievable" and "I Can't Live Without You" is really energizing.Cheesy songs but not bad album. The songs like "Verge", "Thunderstruck and "Unbelievable" and "I Can't Live Without You" is really energizing. It was kinda a bit disappointing because some of the songs are disappointing but good album.…Expand
Mobile Orchestra is, believe it or not, Owl City's craziest, most surprising album yet. It's not because of the imaginative, star-struck,Mobile Orchestra is, believe it or not, Owl City's craziest, most surprising album yet. It's not because of the imaginative, star-struck, head-in-clouds lyrics Adam Young is famous for, it's because of MO's musical diversity. It features Pop, Electronic, Christian, and even Country in it's short run-time and track-list. Some of it works, some of it doesn't. "My Everything" feels incredibly generic and unoriginal, but has good lyrics. "You're Not Alone" is the better of the two clearly Christian, songs with a great message, great vocals, and really likable music. "Verge" sounds cool at first, but gets old really fast. "Thunderstruck" has good music, but poor lyrics. "Unbelievable" is a really fun song, chalk full of references and completely devoid of anything profound.
MO is rarely great, and way too often pretty meh.…Expand
This album took everything away that i loved about Owl City. Midsummer Station was still really good in my opinion, it was dreamy, it wasThis album took everything away that i loved about Owl City. Midsummer Station was still really good in my opinion, it was dreamy, it was still kinda alternative most of the time. But this one kiled it. There are some nice cuts on this thing like I Found Love and Bird With A Broken Wing. They still bring somewhat of a Owl City vibe. The rest is either completely boring or has a sound that carries a 100% commercial purpose. I really dont know why. All Thing Bright And Beautiful is such a great record, Ocean Eyes was great as well. How do you jump from that sound to a such bland and commercial release. Big dissapointment, especially for me, but the album overall is nothing but a soulless pop album. Its still Owl City but that saves not much.…Expand
Just point me at the moment when Adam stopped making fairytales for ears and started to do typical pop-food for 16-years girls. I need toJust point me at the moment when Adam stopped making fairytales for ears and started to do typical pop-food for 16-years girls. I need to travel back in that time to stop him.…Expand
It all went wrong with Midsummer Station. After I had listened to the whole album, my jaw dropped. "Was this really made by Adam Young?" wasIt all went wrong with Midsummer Station. After I had listened to the whole album, my jaw dropped. "Was this really made by Adam Young?" was my reaction. I was expecting more of the unique and hard to pin down lyrics that I knew Owl City for. I wanted to hear more electronica style music from him. It made me feel as though someone grabbed hold of him and forced him to make anything but the music he was known for.
Ultraviolet seemed slightly hopeful, maybe Owl City got the message and was regrouping for a better album? I guess not, because then the Mobile Orchestra train wreck appeared. I want to remain hopeful that Adam can someday make another Ocean Eyes-like album, but I'm not holding my breath.
Mobile Orchestra has to be the most confused album I've ever heard from Owl City. There's hardly any consistency in style from song to song, and the lyrics are bland and understandable. Owl City lyrics are not supposed to be like that. If you are a classical Owl City fan, don't bother with Mobile Orchestra, it will disappoint.
There's fine line between chaos and clarity; Owl City used to be able to find that golden line and produced fantastic songs! Perhaps someday Adam will make a comeback after rediscovering that sweet spot? I certainly know he can, but it all boils down to if he wants to.…Expand
