A music blog!
I was a mid-comer to Owl City. 'Fireflies' had just been released on Adult Alt stations. From first hearing Fireflies on XM's Alt Nation, I was hooked. I instantly got "Ocean Eyes", the second album, and "Maybe I'm Deaming", the first album. A few months later, 'Fireflies' broke onto the pop charts.
Owl City is Adam Young. He developed his craft in pop-electronic during sleepless nights in his parents basement. His first album, "Maybe I'm Dreaming" was solely his creation. There was no record label backing. But the fan base grew. The album has a rawness to it throughout. It's not perfect, but you don't want it to be. My favorite tracks include "Technicolor Phase", "I'll Meet You There", "Early Birdie", and the laughter-evoking "Super Honeymoon".
Owl City is innocent, witty, and at times, completely random. You feel like you're traveling through random thoughts in Adam Young's head. In the day where impropriety is the norm, Owl City is a refreshing wave of modesty and a child-like inquisition. It doesn't hurt that Adam Young can write hooky synth parts and lyrics for days.
"Maybe I'm Dreaming" caught the attention of labels, and Adam Young was signed for his second release, "Ocean Eyes". Adam Young teamed up with Matt from Relient K to hone in the tongue-in-cheek lyrics. "Ocean Eyes" shows a maturity and step in the right direction, with cleaner production, more streamlined musical ideas, and adds a "commerciality" to the music. By far, the highlight of the album, in my opinion, is the remix of "Hello Seattle".
Today I had the chance to preview Owl City's newest album, "All Things Bright and Beautiful". The production is taken up a notch. The song writing has matured, but Adam Young maintains his innocence. Some tracks completely floor me. Must listens include "Deer in the Headlights", "Galaxies", "Dreams Don't Turn to Dust", and "Kamikaze". The single, "Alligator Sky" has obviously been tailored for commercial release, but I feel that it's definitely not the strongest. "How I Became the Sea" is a beautiful bonus track that must not be missed.
On "All Things Bright and Beautiful", Young has done a great job of that balancing test all artists struggle with: retaining their sound while offering something new.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Friday, May 20, 2011
Life Update
I've strayed away from talking about my personal life in recent months. Intentionally.
Words cannot describe what's being going on emotionally, mentally, and psychologically. I've lost count how many jobs I've applied for, maybe 50-60. I'm emotionally exhausted at this point.
I was looking forward to this week. I was excited about a possible position with a law firm that was opening up. The interview was not what I expected. The job that was opening was not what I expected. If there's anything I've learned this week, it's to go in with literally no expectations. I tend to set high expectations, which sets me up for some pretty hard falls in the form of reality checks.
I'm still waiting on a job I interviewed for almost 3 months ago. 3 months! 90 days! It seems like it's been an eternity. This is the job you could say I'm believing for. It's a dream job. I'm simply waiting for it to materialize. And waiting.
Another good prospect opened up this week. It will be a while before I hear back on it, though.
I'm past the 4 month mark in my search of a new full-time job.
But that doesn't mean I haven't been busy.
I wait tables with as many shifts I can pick up a week. I still ship guitars for Mark's Guitar Stuff, thanks Joel!
My dad has also been giving me a TON of legal work to do. These three jobs combined practically make up a full-time job.
I've completely forgotten my BMI days where I worked my 40 hours and enjoyed the weekend. I have no set schedule, everything is beautifully chaotic.
My bills are getting paid, my fridge is full, my family is safe. Not much more I can ask for at this point, except for that job!
I hope the words of a close friend ring true when they told me they felt that this transition period I've been going through will end soon.
Words cannot describe what's being going on emotionally, mentally, and psychologically. I've lost count how many jobs I've applied for, maybe 50-60. I'm emotionally exhausted at this point.
I was looking forward to this week. I was excited about a possible position with a law firm that was opening up. The interview was not what I expected. The job that was opening was not what I expected. If there's anything I've learned this week, it's to go in with literally no expectations. I tend to set high expectations, which sets me up for some pretty hard falls in the form of reality checks.
I'm still waiting on a job I interviewed for almost 3 months ago. 3 months! 90 days! It seems like it's been an eternity. This is the job you could say I'm believing for. It's a dream job. I'm simply waiting for it to materialize. And waiting.
Another good prospect opened up this week. It will be a while before I hear back on it, though.
I'm past the 4 month mark in my search of a new full-time job.
But that doesn't mean I haven't been busy.
I wait tables with as many shifts I can pick up a week. I still ship guitars for Mark's Guitar Stuff, thanks Joel!
My dad has also been giving me a TON of legal work to do. These three jobs combined practically make up a full-time job.
I've completely forgotten my BMI days where I worked my 40 hours and enjoyed the weekend. I have no set schedule, everything is beautifully chaotic.
My bills are getting paid, my fridge is full, my family is safe. Not much more I can ask for at this point, except for that job!
I hope the words of a close friend ring true when they told me they felt that this transition period I've been going through will end soon.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Immigration and Pork
I had the privilege of spending the last 48 hours with the nation's top Immigration lawyers and judges. Coming into this experience with pretty much no knowledge on Immigration Law, the first day was a barrage of lingo and an extremely dense primer on the subject. The second day was much easier, having become at least a little familiar with the subject.
If there's anything I took away, it's an appreciation for the depth of Immigration Law and the amount of legal acumen that's required to effectively navigate a client through various Immigration issues.
Suddenly convenient political talking points became obsolete and to be honest, pretty ignorant.
In the midst of this literal pouring of legal knowledge into my brain, my dad and I got to sample some of the best BBQ Memphis had to offer. We had the unique experience of attending the Barbecue Festival, which the mayor adequately described as mardi gras with barbecue.
It was truly an eye-opening experience on an area of law that's sure to undergo substantial changes within the next few years and a great food experience!
If there's anything I took away, it's an appreciation for the depth of Immigration Law and the amount of legal acumen that's required to effectively navigate a client through various Immigration issues.
Suddenly convenient political talking points became obsolete and to be honest, pretty ignorant.
In the midst of this literal pouring of legal knowledge into my brain, my dad and I got to sample some of the best BBQ Memphis had to offer. We had the unique experience of attending the Barbecue Festival, which the mayor adequately described as mardi gras with barbecue.
It was truly an eye-opening experience on an area of law that's sure to undergo substantial changes within the next few years and a great food experience!
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