Thursday, November 28, 2013

Musical Obsession-Adam Young

He goes by many names: Port Blue, Swimming With Dolphins, Sky Sailing, but you most likely know him as Owl City. 

I know what you're already thinking, why that guy? He's only had like, two top ten hits, three top ten albums, and he's just a rip-off of The Postal Service. Well, all of those might be true, but still, I can't help but fall into an epic man crush whenever I hear his music. Call me a softy, everyone has at one point or another, but there's something about this reclusive guy that makes him so alluring. At least to me. Here, let me break it down for you.

So I'll start off with his personality. Quirky is a good term to use, as well as off-beat, interesting, weird...so...he's kind of just like me!! In several interviews he's discussed his past of being bullied and ostracized from his peers when he was younger...kind of just like me!! And he's also so detailed in his words, however strange they may be, and even if his stream-of-conscious thoughts don't make sense, his coy demeanor makes it charming...so...he's kind of just like me!! I use 'kind of' a lot because there are a few differences in our personalities, mainly he has Asperger's and I don't (although I have been examined for it many times), and his weirdness is intentional, built-in to his persona, I'm not naturally all that complex, I just can't pronounce my thoughts well, it's like they get lost in the raging sea that is my brain. But anyway, I can relate whole-heartedly to his struggles of fitting in with society, us off-beats just don't cut it sometimes. I happen to think that he's hilarious, and every word that comes out of his mouth is amazing, like a poet in a way.

Hey, I did say that I have an epic guy crush on him, but to be fair, I also think about Michelle Branch in the same way (but I'll save her for another day *wink wink*).

So besides his perfect personality, I also think that he channels it into some pretty awesome songs. When I first heard "Fireflies", I was blown away, it's like he knew how to take me to another world, one that's not riddled with hardships and disease. He combined electronic music with a pop/rock sound, added a vibraphone for good measure, and created what's still one of the most significant records to ever hit number one. He has never equaled that song, but he has created songs that come pretty damn close. Like "On The Wing", which I did a post on earlier; it's so great it makes me leap for joy whenever I hear it. And all of the songs 
on "Maybe I'm Dreaming" are excellent, astounding. "Air Traffic", for example, has harmonies that make my heart soar, while "This Is The Future" rings so true with my life, that whenever I listen to it I can't help but shed a tear or to. It's like he gets me, like he created this music knowing that I would one day listen to it. At least his earlier work suggests this. Sky Sailing's album "An Airplane Carried Me to Bed" has the awesome "Sailboats", which has to be one of the best arrangements in a song I've ever heard in my entire life. No matter what song he does, Adam always provides a simple, catchy melody supported by lush harmonies and intricate backdrops of sound, whether it be acoustic or electronic. I'm sad that his newer stuff is starting to suck so bad, but that still doesn't make me like him any less than I do. 


Now just to address this quickly, I do realize that Owl City has a resemblance to The Postal Service, but that is in no way an excuse to write him off. Adam is so sweet and innocent, I highly doubt he's intentionally ripping them off, but even so, The Postal Service is its own project, and Adam Young is his own man, so why don't we cool it with the hate comparisons, alright? 

Anyway, it's still my dying wish to meet this wonderful guy. He's just so relatable, down to earth, talented, and soothing that I can't help but obsess over him day and night, because you know...he's kind of just like me!!! He's almost as good as Kelly Clarkson...but only almost ;)

ADAM YOUNG FOR LIFE.
OMG.
I JUST CAN'T TAKE IT.
ok I'm good now.

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