User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info

Ocean Eyes
by
  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
Ocean Eyes Image
Metascore
53

Mixed or average reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 112 Ratings

  • Summary: This is the second full-length album for the Minnesota-born electronic artist.

Top Track

Vanilla Twilight
The stars lean down to kiss you And I lie awake and miss you Pour me a heavy dose of atmosphere 'Cause I'll doze off safe and soundly But I'll miss... See the rest of the song lyrics
See Full Track List »
Powered by

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 14
  3. Negative: 1 out of 14
  1. 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.''
  2. Q Magazine
    80
    The likes of Umbrella Beach, Cave In and Vanillla Twilight blend bittersweet longing, wintry elemental imagery and melodies that worm their way into your consciousness with effortless aplomb. [Apr 2010, p.119]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Alternative Press
    60
    Young has a good chance at becoming a worthy replacement for the Postal Service; he just needs to monitor the ratio of sugar to substance on subsequent efforts. [Oct 2009, p.111]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. Dot Music
    50
    Had the production been toned down a bit, to just Young and some lo-fi synths, these songs would have worked much better. But then that would have invited even more comparisons to The Postal Service. A noble, but ultimately uninspiring, effort.
  5. PopMatters
    50
    Minnesota native Adam Young, the one-man band behind Owl City, has crafted an incredibly upbeat album filled with starry-eyed lyrics and electro-pop fluff.
  6. The A.V. Club
    42
    The click-clackety beats and twinkling synth bleeps owe a clear debut to Jimmy Tamborello’s homemade production, though Young adds a bright sheen that owes something to J-pop as well.
  7. Clash Music
    30
    It’s all very pretty sounding on paper, but in reality lazily produced and poorly written.

See all 14 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 28
  3. Negative: 5 out of 28
  1. 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    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)    … Expand
  2. 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.
  4. 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 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.… Expand
  5. 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 theOcean 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
  6. MaddoxWhite
    Apr 25, 2021
    8
    Fireflies is still amazing all this time later. That song alone is worth giving this it's score.
  7. 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 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.… Expand
  8. JimBob
    Nov 5, 2009
    0
    This man should be should be shot for hijacking the Ferrari that is the Postal Service and turning it into cloying, pink, 1hp, Pinto. Joe This man should be should be shot for hijacking the Ferrari that is the Postal Service and turning it into cloying, pink, 1hp, Pinto. Joe Satriani successfully sued Cold Play for absconding with his work, why can't Jimmy Tamborella and Ben Gibbard sue this douche for his manhood...too late.… Expand

See all 28 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

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