Intelligent pop

The two CDs highlight much of what is happening in the music scene today that we can smile about, with new artists and/or bands taking the best of music’s legacy or heritage and transforming that into vibrant, accessible pop music. Bands like One Republic may have burst onto the scene with the push of uber-producer Timbaland; while Owl City’s Adam Young is a recluse at heart. Thanks to the aggressive push of their recording company, their music is being heard and enjoyed.

Owl City — Ocean Eyes (MCA Music Inc.). A visitor to Manila, this veritable one-man band may tour with accompanying musicians, but it’s Adam’s concept and brainchild. Thanks to the music video for Fireflies, the intelligent, winsome, electronica-pop confection that Adam creates is finally getting the recognition it richly deserves. From the basement of his home in the small town of Owatonna, Minnesota, Adam produces these pop gems with strong emo-lyrics but imbued with a sense of humor and electronica doodlings. Some have criticized the music for being sappy and sugar-coated, and how his vocals can be annoying in long stretches, but as long as taken in small doses, one can’t fault just how enjoyable the music can be.

One Republic — Waking Up (MCA Music Inc.). Apologize (from 2007) may be a tough act to follow, as it still holds the record for most popular digital download in American history, but if Ryan Tedder and the One Republic boys have a say in these things, they’re definitely not looking back. All the Right Moves is the first single, but for my money, it’s Marching On that stands as my favorite track. Much more consistent than their first CD, this may have some purists calling them Coldplay copycats, but that would only be listening to one or two tracks. Throughout the CD, several different influences come into play, and to their credit, the band does a good job of assimilating them and stamping them with that One Republic vibe. Sure it’s pop music, but it merits a listen.