 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
All Things Bright and Beautiful
Common Sense Media says
Alt-pop CD is quirky but fine for older kids.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that All Things Bright and Beautiful is a largely clean album featuring no profanity or explicit references to sex and substance use. While it's also free of graphic violence, the track "Hospital Flowers" is about a car accident, and a few other songs contain mild mentions of injuries and dying. All in all, the record is an acceptable choice for older tweens and teens, though parents should also note that God and religion are referenced in a few places.
What's the story?
ALL THINGS BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL is the second album by Owl City, the one-man alt-pop group responsible for the global hit "Fireflies." The record once again finds Owl City taking the clean road, using no profanity or graphic descriptions in these 13 tracks that are mostly about nature and the highs and lows of love. Though parents should know that the darker themes of death and injuries appear in a few songs like "Hospital Flowers" and "Deer in the Headlights" (for example: "Got the sense that I was not her type / By the black eye and bloody nose"), the CD is overwhelmingly clean -- making it a good pick for older tweens and teens.
Is it any good?
On his follow-up album, Owl City sticks with the musical formula that made "Fireflies" a phenomenon: spacy synthesizers, bouncy percussion, and somewhat nerdy vocals that you can't help but be drawn to. Though there's not a lot of breakout creativity here, the record will undoubtedly strike a chord with the countless "Fireflies" fans.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the lyric "I'm on and off inside" in the song "How I Became the Sea" -- and how this line sums up some of the emotional ups and downs described in this album. What other lyrics besides this one indicate that Owl City seems conflicted at times?
How do you handle the times in your own life when you feel down and out?
Name five things you can do to pick yourself up when you're feeling low.
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
Amazing!
Owl City is one of my favorite bands/singers (which is he?) for one reason: his incredibly mushy lyrics. Yes, I admit it. His occasionally overly goopy choice of words has appealed to my hidden romantic self, and I was dragged in to become a hardcore Owl Citizen. In the review for "Ocean Eyes," the CSM reviewer seemed to make it appear that his sappy lyrics were a BAD thing, and let me just say that I totally disagree. Adam's music puts me into a euphoric daze whenever I hear it - he is, as onyxprincess put, a hopeless romantic. I've been waiting for All Things Bright and Beautiful since January, and it's finally here and as amazing as I expected it to be! He's branching out a bit, experimenting with various musical styles, but he keeps the good ol' heart-melting verses that define him as an artist. Content-wise, this album is as clean as a polished marble floor: there is one 'violent' metaphor in "Hospital Flowers," but it's not meant to be viewed as literal: it's just a metaphor, nothing more. And in "Deer in the Headlights," the only other 'violent' phrase is played for laughs, so nothing big there. There is no sexual content besides lovey-dovey, hopelessly-in-love-with-you stuff, and there's no language whatsoever. Adam Young is a great role model and everyone should support his music! Buy this CD NOW!
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
BUY THIS ALBUM
Owl City is the best musical artist ever! I highly reccomend this album! PLease read full review!
Role models/Positive messages: Adam is the perfect role model! Hes 25 but doesn't cuss, drink, etc. All the songs have good messages such as Dreams Don't Turn to Dust.
Violence:Hospital Flowers has lyrics like "I survived a dreadful accident in the car crash of the century" but it's a metaphor it's a really beautiful song about finding beauty in your darkest hour. Deer in the Headlights says "Got the sense I was not her type by a black eye and bloody nose" but it's played for humor, and if you know Adam's personality, it will bring a smile to your face because he's a bit of a hopeless romantic. Plant Life mentions feeling dead, as in feeling alone in the dark, then busting out of the haunted house and feeling good again
Sex:Nothing at all, just mentions of innocent and cute romance.
Language:Nothing
Consumerism:Nothing
Drugs/drinking:Nothing
Note:The songs Angels and Galaxies are a tad more religious (Adam is a devoted Christian) but if you're not a Christian, you can easily skip these songs, and I've heard of non-Christians enjoying them and interperting them differently
This is a fabulous, clean album, and I think that Common Sense Media's rating for 12 and up was a little harsh. Buy this album, and you won't regret it. Adam Young has created yet another beautiful collection of inspiring songs for me to get lost in daydreams in. Saw him in concert a while ago, and was BLOWN AWAY. He had me tears, just seeing him up on that stage. Owl City is so amazing, you have to buy this album ^_^
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Amazing for all
This is simply beautiful. Amazing music, no profanity or sexual references, nothing wrong at all with it! Adam Young, the man behind Owl City, is a musical genius, and a strong Christian. His music is uplifting and breathtaking, and I'd recommend it to anyone.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
LOVE LOVE LOVE
Oh, I LOVE LOVE LOVE this album. :D Adam Young's music is amazing. The songs are so cute, and really fit the title "All Things Bright and Beautiful". I am a huge Owl City fan, and I think this album is the best! Even non Owl City fans will like it! I especially love the songs Kamikaze and Galaxies. <3 There is nothing bad about these songs. :) I would totally reccomend getting this album!!
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Absolutely marvelous!
Delightful, cheerful tunes which refrain from being sappy or happy-go-lucky, this album is a delight! I would recommend it to anyone! The music is beautiful, the lyrics often poetic and clever, and Adam Young's faith is clearly represented without contrivance.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Simply beautiful music.
Awesome. Truly awesome. A whole lot better than most of the music people my age listen to now-a-days.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Love it!
I do not have this CD, but I have a couple of the songs from it, and they are wonderful!!!! Owl City aka Adam, is great! (: Love it! My favorite songs from the album are, 'Deer in the Headlights' & 'The Real World'.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
AMAZING album. NOTHING iffy and simply gorgeous
Adam Young makes some of the most thought provoking, simply beautiful music ever. Perfectly clean and is a delight to listeners. No inappropriate content whatsoever. I listen to Owl City probably more than anything else. Has positive messages about observing and enjoying the beauty around you, and cherishing life. Makes you stop and think....
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Outstanding clean music.
Adam Young is one of the best singers I have heard. It is clear that he really loves God. Just listen to the lyrics in some of his songs and you see what I mean. For example his song Galaxies is very much about God. The songs Angles and Meteror Shower are religious as well. Owl City is extremely appropriate for anyone. In our culture it seems that most songs have to be inappropriate. But Owl City is anything but inappropriate. All of his songs have great messages or are just good clean music. It makes me smile to know that we have some singers that sing about the positive things in life.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
All Things Bright and Beautiful
This was my first Owl City album. I love it. Some of the themes might be a little over younger kids' heads, however the lyrics do have their moments of sheer cheesiness. For example, in the song 'The Yaht Club', the first line of the song goes as the following: "My rock candy passion is bitter sweet, and hard to the teeth; 'Cuz she would rather fall in chocolate..especially with me. I stood under the waterfall with a kiwi-pinapple parasol, as Cinderella dropped the crystal ball and made a concrete cavern--a caterpillar concert...Aah..."
...See? Almost no since at all. The tunes are catchy, though. The rest of the songs are great, but 'Hospital Flowers', 'Plant Life' and 'Kamikaze' refernace to injury or death...three of my favorite songs of all time, but it might disturb younger listeners.
Reguardless, I think this is a must-have for everyone. :)
Was this review useful?
|
|
Review It
Register now to save reviews and advice articles to your personal lists!
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
Already listened to it? What do you think?
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
