Ocean Eyes
by Owl City
  • Record Label: Republic
  • Release Date: Jul 28, 2009
User Score
7.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 112 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 82 out of 112
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 112
  3. Negative: 24 out of 112

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  1. Supertails
    Jul 3, 2011
    9
    Ocean Eyes is a wonderful journey through the mind of Adam Young, whose dreamy and visually-stimulating lyrics produce an entire world for the listener to journey through. While it has a few moments that are a bit bumpy, most of the album is a fun listen and a very nice escape from reality. If you're tired of the bluntness of commercial lyricism and want music that sounds more likeOcean Eyes is a wonderful journey through the mind of Adam Young, whose dreamy and visually-stimulating lyrics produce an entire world for the listener to journey through. While it has a few moments that are a bit bumpy, most of the album is a fun listen and a very nice escape from reality. If you're tired of the bluntness of commercial lyricism and want music that sounds more like poetry, Owl City is the one to turn to.… Expand
  2. BrainAndSoul
    Jun 13, 2015
    10
    Ocean Eyes is a fairytale in music world. Some kind of my American Dream in all this pop-rap world. Sound of every single second of this goddamn masterpiece is almost perfect - there are no better electronic albums (well, Random Access Memories, but it is not from Earth), I just can't imagine a human that don't like it.
    53 on metacritic? "Please, take me away from here" (с)
  3. DannyW
    Aug 26, 2009
    10
    While there may be a cheesy love song or two in this album this does not take away from the awesomeness of such songs as "Tidal Wave" "Tip of the Iceberg", he has created a particular style and feel for his music and it really shows in those songs. Fantastic Album, not much like this one out there.
  4. sarahs
    Oct 12, 2009
    10
    I don't care if Adam Young is good enough for critics. That's not what matters. It's how the person listening to his songs feel about his music. In my personal opinion, his music captivates me with his colorful lyrics and makes me feel like I can stay young forever and is optimistic.
  5. GabrielT
    Sep 15, 2009
    9
    I am usually not interested in this genre of music, but i fell in love with the song cave in, and decided to give the album a try. I absolutely loved it. Owl City is a very creative, unique, and complex artist. I've been listening this album for two weeks and am addicted! I recommend for everyone who likes electronic and pop music.
  6. Elly
    Nov 2, 2009
    8
    Must admit I havent listened to the cd but i'm basing my review on the single "Fireflies" which is a lovely song! When I first heard the song, I thought it was a Death Cab For Cutie song because the singer sounded like the singer from Death Cab, so that was a negative because although both singers have a pleasant voice, I'm tired of singers who sound alike. If all the other Must admit I havent listened to the cd but i'm basing my review on the single "Fireflies" which is a lovely song! When I first heard the song, I thought it was a Death Cab For Cutie song because the singer sounded like the singer from Death Cab, so that was a negative because although both singers have a pleasant voice, I'm tired of singers who sound alike. If all the other songs are like Fireflies, then I will consider buying the cd in the future!… Expand
  7. MartK
    Sep 13, 2009
    9
    This is an awesome album, really original! Try Hello Seattle, Dental Care and Fireflies.
  8. HaritsA
    Dec 5, 2009
    10
    I think this is one of the best electronic album of the year! I love it. The songs is relaxing and very easy-listening with beating music.
  9. Spellkid
    Nov 6, 2010
    10
    Owl City's second album is just as cheerful and colorful as the last. With the best song being Vanilla Twilight , and second is the reloaded version of Hello Seattle. The songs are very G-rated by far, yet they have an adult touch to it.
  10. flaglerite
    Nov 6, 2010
    10
    I simply love this album and did the first time I heard it. There's something so uplifting about his music. You can't listen to it and not bob your head and smile. That is so rare in music today. Music doesn't have to address manic depression, waking up a junkie and suicide to be good. I think his lyrics are fun and original.
  11. Nick
    Aug 22, 2009
    8
    Some of the reworked songfs from previous albums lack the artistic instrumentals and added superfluous effects and echoes, but otherwise the collaboration with Relient K's Matt Thiessen and the development of his pop/electronic style is a lot of fun.
  12. bsurma
    Dec 6, 2010
    8
    Score: 9.0
    First, I want some of the people out here to do me a favor - stop hating on Young like he is some kind of witch! The Postal Service and Owl City reminisce the same music style, yes, but Young's vocals and talent for making great beats that glue it all together already differentiate him from the other group, AND it is very recognisable in the second studio album, Ocean Eyes. For    Score: 9.0
    First, I want some of the people out here to do me a favor - stop hating on Young like he is some kind of witch! The Postal Service and Owl City reminisce the same music style, yes, but Young's vocals and talent for making great beats that glue it all together already differentiate him from the other group, AND it is very recognisable in the second studio album, Ocean Eyes. For example, Cave In, Hello Seattle, Fireflies and The Tip Of The Iceberg - songs like these are one of their kind. And one more song which is one of the best IMO - Meteor Shower. First, only a single piano plays a 1 minute long intro. Then Young hops in, emotionally singing the line "I can finally see/That you're right there beside me", and the with the next few seconds his talent shows up. The song blooms as Young is singing on maximum amp, similar to the song This Is The Future from his first studio album. Calmness, mellow tunes and beats - all of these attributes make you hum some of the songs until late night.

    To sum it up, Ocean Eyes is a great album and even if you have mixed opinions on electronica and synthpop, you cannot miss it. The number of downloads this album has on iTunes already say it all.    … Expand
  13. ZacharyMatson
    Jul 10, 2011
    10
    Ocean Eyes, like it's title, is just flat out beautiful. Every song has you tapping your toes and smiling. Adam Young has a very good sense of humor and a very colorful personality and you really see those qualities in this work of art.
  14. JuneDominic
    Jul 1, 2012
    10
    stunning album ..
    especially the song "If My Heart Was A House" ..
    this album is memorable, lovely and many more things that will hook up in the radio.
    the lead single, "Fireflies" is also amazing
  15. ReviewGuyX
    Oct 5, 2013
    10
    Owl City's Ocean Eyes shows it has been influenced by The Postal Service but that doesn't necessarily conclude Adam Young to be a rip-off of it. Battlefield is a first-person shooter game much like Call Of Duty. Does that make either game a rip-off of each other? Yet nobody mouths off about that... because it isn't a problem and neither is this controversial between Owl City and TheOwl City's Ocean Eyes shows it has been influenced by The Postal Service but that doesn't necessarily conclude Adam Young to be a rip-off of it. Battlefield is a first-person shooter game much like Call Of Duty. Does that make either game a rip-off of each other? Yet nobody mouths off about that... because it isn't a problem and neither is this controversial between Owl City and The Postal Service. Ocean Eyes has collection of songs that are highly original and unique. For once, it is an album absent of music about partying, getting laid and getting drunk. It is an overall feel-good cheerful album.… Expand
  16. blien16
    Sep 8, 2015
    7
    Arguably one of Owl City's best works, Ocean Eyes is perhaps a more upbeat version of the Postal Service. Composed of Young's soft voice and electronic beats, the songs in Ocean Eyes are relaxing and easy to listen to. His descriptive, yet sometimes nonsensical, lyrics are certainly unique compared to modern pop lyrics. His vocal editing is spot on, although a bit overdone in certainArguably one of Owl City's best works, Ocean Eyes is perhaps a more upbeat version of the Postal Service. Composed of Young's soft voice and electronic beats, the songs in Ocean Eyes are relaxing and easy to listen to. His descriptive, yet sometimes nonsensical, lyrics are certainly unique compared to modern pop lyrics. His vocal editing is spot on, although a bit overdone in certain songs. Perhaps one of Young's best work as Owl City, Ocean Eyes really demonstrates Young's creative lyricism, unparalleled in this age of pop-stagnancy.… Expand
  17. MacsMusic
    Jan 14, 2018
    8
    This album takes me back to my old Owl City radio days. The only thing I listened to on Apple music, back when it was free, was Owl City radio. It introduced me to FF5, Nickasuar, Lights, Swimming with Dolphins, Passion Pit, 5SOS, and several other artists. I absolutely loved it. Now, time to talk about OE. The music on this album is great. It has a smooth, magical electronic sound that isThis album takes me back to my old Owl City radio days. The only thing I listened to on Apple music, back when it was free, was Owl City radio. It introduced me to FF5, Nickasuar, Lights, Swimming with Dolphins, Passion Pit, 5SOS, and several other artists. I absolutely loved it. Now, time to talk about OE. The music on this album is great. It has a smooth, magical electronic sound that is wholly original. "Umbrella Beach" almost sounds like an EDM song, and "Cave In" and "Tip of the Iceberg" have high-energy music. The slower song have good music as well, especially "The **** Room", which I call one of Owl City's best songs. "Dental Care" is punny, but has very little substance. "Fireflies" is magical, with great music and lyrics. Magical is one of the best words I can use to describe this album. In the end, the lyrics on some songs are overly sappy or goofy, but the music and lyrics are great for the most part.… Expand
  18. theblackfox
    Aug 31, 2020
    10
    This album is like daydreaming. It sounds so original and his voice is pure magic.
  19. ReveshCity
    Oct 2, 2020
    10
    An album that Adam Young got fame and success. And yes FIREFLIES! THE MEGA HIT SONG!
    My personal favourite songs from this album:
    1. Vanilla Twilight
    2. Meteor Shower
    3. Strawberry Avalanche (from deluxe edition)
  20. clanky9
    May 12, 2021
    10
    this is great album i dont understand why it gets so much hate. In my opinion we need more albums like this.
  21. MaddoxWhite
    Apr 25, 2021
    8
    Fireflies is still amazing all this time later. That song alone is worth giving this it's score.
  22. anothercake4me
    May 15, 2021
    10
    >Opens Dictionary
    >Finds the definition of Perfect
    >Perfect: Owl City - Ocean Eyes

    That's what I have to say about this album, It's amazing.

Awards & Rankings

47
#47 Most Discussed Album of 2009
50
#50 Most Shared Album of 2009

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
53

Mixed or average reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 14
  3. Negative: 1 out of 14
  1. AllMusic
    50
    A handful of ballads do add variety to the album's pace, but Owl City is largely a vehicle for the one song Adam Young knows how to make.
    Read full review
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    Young's second set of lush, Postal Service-indebted electronic pop, Ocean Eyes, is so daydream-ready, you might forgive him for admitting out loud that he'd ''rather pick flowers instead of fights.''
    Read full review
  3. Rolling Stone
    40
    Love songs like "On the Wing"--a ballad with a plush, twinkling electro beat where the singer lies awake dreaming of his beloved-- are serious mush, like an amorous e-mail you'll regret in the morning.
    Read full review
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