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Coming Article: Owl City Ocean Eyes & HI RES ALBUM ARTWORK

Here's an article on Owl City's new album,

Ocean Eyes. Below is the high-res album art!

Toward the end of July the electronic/techno group Owl City released its latest album, Ocean Eyes. Its skillful polymerization of emo-pop and electronica into a single positive, energetic art form defines Ocean Eyes as a promising beginning to Owl City's mainstream entrance to the music industry. Ocean Eyes justly showcases the sole member of Owl City, Adam Young, and bears a unique sound, which could become a trend setter for other up and coming artists. Its cool, vibrant lyrics fluidly accompany dynamic synth solos, popping drumlines, and high-energy, charming vocals to create a veritable "Digital Orchestra". The combined sound of interlocking resonances and controlled clatter is very memorable. This album is certainly a treat to listen to even if you are not a fan of electronic music.

The album has a number of impressive songs. One of them is a definite favorite of fans and MySpace alike, "Hello Seattle". Rerecorded yet gloriously loyal to the original, this track gives an upbeat sensation to any listener. Those who love the song will not be surprised to discover that "Hello Seattle" actually was the track that landed a record contract with its current label, Universal Republic. Another highlight of the album is "Tidal Wave". This song has a beautiful blend of synthesizers and leaves you a feeling of wonder. "Fireflies" is another gem from the album. Adam Young's voice adds a human touch to the song that is truly remarkable. The track carries a crisp, sonic sound.

Major differences between Ocean Eyes and previous albums include the level of filtering on Adam's voice whose transition was buffered by the monthly give away of two freebie singles leading up to the release of the album, Hot Air Balloon & Strawberry Avalanche, which featured a new yet familiar vocal style which proved incredibly popular among fans and those new to Owl City.

Album Artwork

Click for an enlarged
version of the album art.

All are: 1584 x 1191px
(Front & Back Cover, Booklet pgs 1 & 2)

Click below to download on iTunes

Owl City, Ocean Eyes

Jonathan Hasson & Clayton Schmoekel

Owl City, Ocean Ey es, Album Artwork, Album Cover, Owl City Music

Technorati Tags: Owl City, Ocean Eyes, Album Artwork, Album Cover, Owl City Music

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No Line On The Horizon: U2 Enters A New Era

A few weeks ago U2 released their 12th studio album, a new milestone for U2 as a seasoned rock band. There was a great amount of anticipation building before the release of the album. Would U2 follow today’s trends? Go back to their classic days? Or pursue a completely new frontier? To tell you the truth, I think they did a little bit of all three.

A couple highlights from the album are Magnificent, Breathe and No Line on the Horizon. The title track is another great vintage-like track with intense vocals and distinct guitar. The band sounds soulful and expressive. Breathe is a truly innovative song. Bono rattles off fast rapping lyrics and creates a feeling of chaos and hope. Through the entire world’s turmoil the band still remains and they sing this song.

Magnificent is the torch-bearing track on the album. It starts off with a strange beat and vibe feeling and progresses to the Edge’s cutting guitar riff. The chorus evokes powerful emotion and the guitar solo complements the song well. This song seems to take elements from the Joshua tree, but then expresses them in a 21st century form. U2 has evolved.

The album is not perfect, but it is excellent by any standard. The band digs very deep lyrically uses different points of view in the same song and looking through unique perspectives. Bono’s vocals are impressive as he continues to deliver emotional and passionate messages with unique voice. Edge explores new territory, using new techniques, but still staying true to his classic sound. Larry Mullen Jr. provides drum beats that compliment this new music very well and Adam Clayton’s baselines create the atmospheres that shape each song.

-Clayton Schmoekel

Album Artwork
Click for an enlarged version of the album art.

(Front Cover, Inside Booklet, Back Cover)

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Beyoncé - Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)

Click on the image for an enlarged version of the album cover for your coverflow.

Beyonce is doing what she does best; telling the men or man (depending on the day) in her life she is in charge. On this track she delivers a strong vocal performance and repeats a simple repetitive piece of instruction, about 20 times: “single ladies to put a ring on it”.

The music video for this song was released in black and white. In the video Beyonce encourages ladies to find a man who will “put a ring on it”. Bob Fosse, the renowned choreographer and director, inspired the dancing on this video.

The dance beat on this song was created by The-Dream and Tricky Stewart, the same duo that produced Rihanna’s Song Umbrella.

- Clayton Shmoekel

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Circus- Britney Spears

Brittany is making a comeback…Again… Her new single has become a hit in night clubs and touched the hearts of thousands of teenage girls who idolized Brittany’s great social and parenting abilities. This is a new phase of her life and proclaims that she is the “ring leader” and “calls the shots”. A little “Purple Drank” and psychological counseling can go a long way.

Spear’s explains of her website that the song “Is about me as an entertainer — what I do, and what I bring to a show, is basically like a circus. I bring costumes and fun theatrical things that make people in awe."

Spear’s also said this about the song: "I like the fact that you're always on the edge of your seat when you're at a circus... You're never bored. You're just really engulfed in what's going on around you. And you want to know what's going to happen next."

-Clayton Shmoekel

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T.I. Featuring Justin Timberlake- Dead and Gone

T.I. Featuring Justin Timberlake- Dead and Gone

This new single has been a huge cross over hit as it mishmashes some mainstream rap with the pop music style of Justin Timberlake. The combination of these two stars is sure to get people’s attention.

T.I. announces on this song that the old him (his former bad-self) is dead and gone.

Philant “Big Phil”, T.I.’s former best friend is referenced in this song. “Big Phil” was killed in a gunfight after T.I.’s entourage was involved in a dispute outside an Ohio night club.

- Clayton

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Featured Artist: Si Scott

You can see more of Si Scott's work at his website by clicking the icon above or visting http://siscottstudio.com/.

By Jonathan Hasson (Photoshop) Powered by a 100% Overload of Awesome

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Kanye West- Heartless (BONUS ALBUM ARTWORKS)

Click on the image for an enlarged version of the album cover for your coverflow.

Kanye’s latest hit features eerie vibes and a kind of rapping/singing style that is almost T-pain-esque. Kanye’s new album, 808 & Heartbreak, explores a completely different side of West’s music as he ventures into the darker realms of his personality.

In an interview with The Obsever, Kanye West told the magazine that the song’s chorus is about the end of his 18 month engagement with Alexis Phifer and the unfortunate death of his mother. He continued “That’s what this is- it’s a modern-day tragedy. Devastation. Multiple losses in life”

West uses Autotune software to help him sing on this track. He describes his new sound as “Pop Art” and not Hip-Hop.

Kanye told MTV News “Listen to it. That hook is, like, [really] good… Any rapper would've loved to rap on 'Heartless,' from a Wu-Tang to a West Coast rapper to a down-South rapper. 'Heartless' is a perfect rap beat, and the hook is like straight Broadway melody. The message is just incredible: 'In the night I hear them talk/ The coldest story ever told/ And far along this road he lost his soul.' It could be an opera."

Note: Kanye took the liberty to make an album cover for each of the songs on his new album, 808s & Heartbreak.

- Clayton

Bonus Album Artwork