The two artists today have new albums out. In the case of Adam Young, a.k.a. Owl City, it’s another foray into effervescent pop music as only Adam can create. As for ex-Boyzone Ronan Keating, it’s finding relevance in today’s market, when his core audience would be of a more mature age demographic.
Owl City — The Midsummer Station (Universal Republic Records). Like some modern-day Todd Rundgren, who would write, produce and record all the instruments and voices on his albums, Adam has carved a niche for himself with pop tunes that I liken to champagne bubbles — light and frothy. The story-telling of I’m Coming After You makes this my favorite track on the CD, while my middle boy, Matteo, would nominate Good Time, a duet with Carly Rae Jepsen (Yes, that Carly Rae of Call Me Maybe). Shooting Star and Dementia are other choice tracks; while Metropolis and Take It All Away strive for a slight change in Adam’s sound. It’s generally the same kind of music we know Adam for, just more upbeat tunes.
Ronan Keating — Fires (Universal Music). Keating is that juncture when artists have to take a good, hard look at their careers, and decide if a change in direction or genre is needed. On a previous CD, Keating took on Burt Bacharach tunes. Thankfully, he’s back to basics on the CD, with a number of anthem-like uptempo songs, and a smattering of ballads as only Ronan sings them. There’s the winner of a title track, and the exuberance of Nineteen Again to recommend the album. Lullaby starts off as an acoustic track that befits its title, and then Kizmusic starts rapping. NYC Girl sounds like it could have been a Bee Gees song off the soundtrack of Saturday Night Fever! Actually, a strong consistent album, but will new fans appreciate it?