Maybe songs are like wine, best enjoyed after they’ve sat awhile. Take the case of Sky Sailing’s debut album An Airplane Carried Me To Bed. Before Owl City, Adam Young spent long nights in his parents basement writing and recording this 11 track album. “I’ve kept these recordings a secret for a long time and they’ve never seen the light of day until now” says Young on Sky Sailing’s website.
Owl City fans may pop this album in expected more of the synth beats that made Young so popular in 2009 with the release of Ocean Eyes. However, they will quickly find Sky Sailing to be largely acoustic driven, being recorded on acoustic guitar and piano. Not to worry though, every song on the album contains the same catchy rhythms, moving melodies, and happy lyrics that made Owl City so popular.
The album opens with Captains Of The Sky, in which Young sings in the chorus: "Flutter all through the night, and we can blow the clouds around this paper hanger skyline." The lyrics are very dreamlike, which is reminiscent of many of the songs. Following the chorus, a familiar sounding keyboard carries the song into the next verse.
Captain’s Of The Sky is a perfect opening song because Owl City fans will be won over quick, realizing its similar enough to what they’ve already heard, yet different enough to sound like something completely new.
“Brielle” is one of the more realistic songs on the album, telling of a girl he deeply misses. The emotion is clearly felt in the lyrics and expanded even more by the beautiful chord progression. Vocally, “Brielle” is Young's best as he stretches his abilities to heights never before seen. "Goodbye Brielle, only whispers will tell..." sings a passionate Young.
The songs never lose their beautiful acoustic sound, but with “Tennis Elbow” Young does introduce Owl City-like synth beats. It is the closest he ventures to the sound of Owl City.
Five tracks into the album listeners may begin to wonder why Young doesn't add more guitar to Owl City. “A Little Opera Goes A Long Way” beautifully represents Young’s superb playing. Unlike “Tennis Elbow,” however, it is a far cry from the sound of Owl City. “A Little Opera Goes A Long Way,” along with “Alaska” could actually be categorized as folk music.
If there is any downside to An Airplane Carried Me To Bed it is that we will not, as far as Young has revealed, ever hear a follow up album. He left the project in 2007 for Owl City and shows no signs of turning back.
Sky Sailing may not have delivered the best workout songs or even very many uptempo songs for that matter, but what listeners will find endearing are its relaxing affects. Just press play on An Airplane Carried Me To Bed and watch everyone in listening range start to feel a little happier.
Sources:
www.skysailingmusic.com
Dylan Crain - Dylan recently graduated from North Greenville University with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus in English and Print ...
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