The Midsummer Station
Studio album by
Owl City
ReleasedAugust 17, 2012 (2012-08-17)
Recorded2011–2012
StudioSky Harbor Studios (Owatonna, MN), Rock the Mic Studios (New York City, NY), Kustom Deluxe Studios (Nashville, TN), Signalpath Studios (Almonte, ON), The Terrarium (Minneapolis, MN), Mound Sound (University City, MO)
Genre
Length40:50[1]
LabelUniversal Republic
Producer
Owl City chronology
Shooting Star
(2012)		 The Midsummer Station
(2012)		 The Midsummer Station - Acoustic
(2013)
Singles from The Midsummer Station
  1. "Shooting Star"
    Released: May 15, 2012
  2. "Good Time"
    Released: June 26, 2012

The Midsummer Station is the fourth studio album by American electronica project Owl City. It was released on August 17, 2012, by Universal Republic Records. The album debuted at No. 7 on the Billboard 200 selling 30,000 copies in its first week. In support of the album, Owl City went on the Midsummer Station World Tour.[2]

Writing and development

After Owl City's previous album, All Things Bright and Beautiful (2011), sold 143,000 copies in the United States, Adam Young began working on demo tracks for The Midsummer Station in January 2012.[3] Unlike his previous albums, Young worked with different songwriters and producers for the first time, including Stargate and Emily Wright.[3] However, Young again collaborated with Matthew Thiessen for his third album in a row along with Ocean Eyes and All Things Bright and Beautiful. Young was initially scared of the thought of collaborating with others, "I've never worked with anybody before. I've done everything myself except for mastering. It's a big job for one guy, especially a perfectionist, so I knew I wanted to try to experiment with other people."[3] The song "Dementia", which features Blink-182 singer Mark Hoppus, was mixed by Chris Lord-Alge.[4] During the All Things Bright and Beautiful Tour in 2011, Young performed a new song entitled "I Hope You Think of Me", a track he was unsure would make the final track listing on the album.[5] The song eventually appeared on his 2013 acoustic EP, The Midsummer Station - Acoustic.[6]

On May 15, 2012, Young released the Shooting Star extended play, which consisted of four songs that would be featured on The Midsummer Station. Many criticized the EP, saying it was very different from Young's previous works. On his blog, Young defended his choice for the new sound of the extended play and the album, stating that he believes "it's a bummer for an artist of any kind to hear, 'Yeah it's great but it's a lot like your previous work.' (...) Creativity is all about pushing boundaries and pressing onward".[7] In an interview with PureVolume, Young stated that the tracks on this record are much darker, with more influence of his own dreams, nightmares and self-reflection.[8]

The album was originally planned to have a release date of August 14, 2012, worldwide, apart from the United Kingdom where it would be released on September 17, 2012.[9] On June 21, 2012, it was announced that the worldwide release date would be pushed back to August 21, 2012, "due to some exciting developments," according to Young.[10] On July 12, 2012, Young announced that the UK release date would be brought forward to August 20, 2012.[11] The album was released on August 17 in other countries including Australia.[12]

Artwork

The artwork was created by Gediminas Pranckevicius in 2009. Pranckevicius' artwork often explores the struggle between man and nature by combining man-made structures with flora and fauna, all coexisting in a forced, urban manner. In Time, there are multiple juxtapositions at work. Beneath the surface is the vertical, wooden shantytown, neatly residing next to a vertical lake in which a very large fish swims. The shanty is illuminated, detailed and clear. By contrast, the waters are dark and murky. Above the busy shanty town is a solitary tree on a serene grassland and a solitary man in a boat on the lake. Everything surrounding the shanty is simple and peaceful. The shanty, though great to look at, is chaotic and saturated. It is only a matter of time before the human settlement expands above the surface or invades the water.

Around February–March 2012, Young discovered the artwork while browsing Tumblr and e-mailed his manager to assist in tracking down the original artist. After a short discussion regarding the usage of the artwork, Pranckevicius allowed Young to use the artwork on the front cover of the album.

Release

Singles

The EP's title track, "Shooting Star" was released on May 15, 2012.[13] The song was intended to be the lead single from The Midsummer Station, but the Carly Rae Jepsen collaboration "Good Time" was chosen instead, due to the success of Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe".[3]

"Good Time" was released on June 26, 2012.[14] The song was met with commercial success peaking at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100.[15] The song reached No. 1 in Canada, New Zealand and South Korea.[16][17][18] The song was certified 2× Platinum by the RIAA in December 2012.[19]

Promotional singles

"I'm Coming After You" was released as the first promotional single from the album on August 13, 2012.[20] The song was made available for streaming via Seventeen magazine.[21]

On August 20, 2012, "Metropolis" was made available for streaming through Idolator as the second promotional single from the album.[22]

Reception

Critical response

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic52/100[23]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[24]
Alternative Press[23]
American Songwriter[25]
The A.V. ClubB[26]
BBC Musicfavourable[27]
Jesus Freak Hideout[28]
NewsdayA−[29]
Rolling Stone[30]
Spin[31]
USA Today[32]

The album received mixed reviews from music critics upon its release. As of December 9, 2013, the album received an average score of 52 based on 11 reviews at Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, which indicates "mixed or average reviews".[23] Fred Thomas of AllMusic gave a mixed review on the album. He stated that the album, "is the most transparent bid for mainstream airplay imaginable, with each of its 11 tracks so tailored for pop radio, teen movie soundtracks, and soft drink commercials." He criticized the album for how "recycled" it feels. However, he praised the songs, "Metropolis" and "Dementia" as one of the album's redeeming tracks.[24] Scott Fryberger of Jesus Freak Hideout also gave a mixed review criticizing the first track "Dreams and Disasters" as "empty and bland." He did however complimented the songs "I'm Coming After You" and "Speed of Love" as "the better tracks" musically. He ended off calling the album "a severe misstep" for Owl City.[28] Jody Rosen of Rolling Stone gave a negative review remarking that, "he delivers universally annoying synth-pop pep talks" on the tracks "Shooting Star" and "Dreams and Disasters".[30]

Glenn Gamboa of Newsday gave a positive review for the album calling it a "streamlined dance pop" album that is "deceptively simple."[29] Alternative Press also gave a positive review stating, "Almost half of the album is bolstered by huge beats and pulsating bass. Even so, the disc's best tracks are the ones that don't employ this formula."[23] The A.V. Club stated that the album is "paired with a more expansive, diverse sound."[26] Billboard stated, "Young oozes frothy positivity through the urgent thump of 'Dreams and Disasters', the energetic bounce of the Stargate-produced single 'Shooting Star', the stuttering chorus of 'Gold' and the effervescent sweep of 'Metropolis'." They also added, "'I'm Coming After You” and 'Speed of Love' are driven by a more contemporary brand of club thump."[33] Tony Cummings of Cross Rhythms praised the collaboration on "Dementia" stating, "It's something you wouldn't expect would work but with Mr Hopus bellowing across the thudding rhythms it sounds great." He also complimented the track, "Speed of Love" for its lyrics that, "reflects on the transient nature of human existence."[34]

Commercial performance

The Midsummer Station debuted at No. 7 on the Billboard 200 in the United States, with first-week sales of 30,000 copies. Digital downloads accounted for 72 percent of the album's first-week total.[35] In the United Kingdom the album debuted at No. 34, selling 3,281 copies in its first week.[36] The album also peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Canadian Albums Chart with first week sales of 3,700 copies.[37] As of November 2012, the album has sold over 200,000 copies worldwide.[38]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Dreams and Disasters"Adam Young, Emily Wright, Nate CampanyYoung3:45
2."Shooting Star"Young, Mikkel S. Eriksen, Tor Erik Hermansen, Matthew Thiessen, Dan OmelioStargate, Young4:07
3."Gold"Josh Crosby, Campany, WrightCrosby, Young (add.)3:56
4."Dementia" (featuring Mark Hoppus)YoungYoung3:31
5."I'm Coming After You"Young, Thiessen, Brian LeeYoung, Lee (add.)3:30
6."Speed of Love"Young, Thiessen, Sam HollanderYoung3:28
7."Good Time" (with Carly Rae Jepsen)Young, Thiessen, LeeYoung3:26
8."Embers"Young, Wright, CampanyYoung3:45
9."Silhouette"YoungYoung4:12
10."Metropolis"Young, ThiessenYoung, Thiessen (add.)3:39
11."Take It All Away"Young, Allan P. Grigg, Wright, CampanyKool Kojak, Young3:31
iTunes Store bonus track[39]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
12."Bombshell Blonde"Young, ThiessenYoung3:26
Japanese edition bonus track
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
12."Top of the World"YoungYoung3:30

Personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of The Midsummer Station.[40]

Owl City

  • Adam Young – vocals, drum programming, keyboards, piano, celeste, synthesizers, guitar, bass, lap steel, sampler, drums, percussion, glockenspiel, bells, accordion, loops

Additional musicians[41][42]

  • Mark Hoppus – additional vocals on track 4
  • Carly Rae Jepsen – additional vocals on track 7
  • The Minneapolis Youth Chorus – additional vocals on track 7
  • Keith Kenniff – bowed double bass, synthesizer, drums on track 9
  • Dustin Sauder – electric and acoustic guitars on track 3
  • Chris Carmichael – violin, viola, cello on tracks 8 & 10
  • Matthew Thiessen – background vocals on tracks 5 & 7
  • Josh Crosby – additional drums, keyboards, programming, background vocals on track 3
  • Mikkel S. Eriksen – guitar, bass, keyboards on track 2
  • Tor Erik Hermansen – additional keyboards, programming on track 2
  • Kool Kojak – additional keyboards, programming on track 11

Additional personnel

  • Gediminas Pranckevicius – cover artwork[43]

Charts

Chart performance for The Midsummer Station
Chart (2012) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[44] 29
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[45] 82
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[46] 144
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[47] 1
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[48] 36
French Albums (SNEP)[49] 88
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[50] 44
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[51] 19
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[52] 24
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[53] 35
Scottish Albums (OCC)[54] 44
South Korean Albums (Circle)[55] 63
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[56] 61
UK Albums (OCC)[57] 34
US Billboard 200[58] 7

References

  1. ↑ "OWL CITY Official Site - Albums - The Midsummer Station". Owlcitymusic.com. Archived from the original on June 28, 2012. Retrieved July 19, 2012.
  2. ↑ Cassie Whitt (July 9, 2012). "Owl City announces Midsummer Station World Tour". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on April 2, 2023. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Zemler, Emily (August 17, 2012). "Owl City Embraces Collaborations for 'Midsummer Station' Album". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 28, 2013. Retrieved August 18, 2012.
  4. ↑ "Twitter / owlcity: So blessed to work with Chris". Twitter.com. August 11, 2012. Archived from the original on March 24, 2014. Retrieved May 4, 2014.
  5. ↑ Gary Graff (February 28, 2012). "Owl City '80, 85 Percent' Done with New Album". Billboard. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
  6. ↑ Anna Dinger (July 22, 2013). "Owl City: The Mid-Summer Station Acoustic EP To Release July 30 30". Music Times. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
  7. ↑ "Brighter « Owl City Blog". owlcityblog.com. May 14, 2012. Archived from the original on July 24, 2012. Retrieved July 19, 2012.
  8. ↑ "Owl City Talks Nightmares and Dreams in our PV Q&A". Pure Volume. Archived from the original on February 1, 2013. Retrieved July 19, 2012.
  9. ↑ "Owl City's 'The Midsummer Station' Mystery Album Unlocked by Fans". The Christian Post. May 31, 2012. Archived from the original on January 11, 2014. Retrieved June 2, 2012.
  10. ↑ Sarah Maloy (June 22, 2012). "Owl City Delays Album Release". Billboard. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  11. ↑ "Twitter - owlcity". July 12, 2012. Archived from the original on November 16, 2013. Retrieved July 18, 2012.
  12. ↑ "iTunes Music - The Midsummer Station by Owl City". iTunes Store. January 2012. Archived from the original on June 1, 2014. Retrieved August 19, 2012.
  13. ↑ Gary Graff (May 10, 2012). "Owl City Exclusive: Listen to Shooting Star". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 28, 2023. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  14. ↑ Brennan Carley (June 20, 2012). "Carly Rae Jepsen & Owl City Team Up for 'Good Time' Summer Anthem: Listen". Billboard. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
  15. ↑ "Owl City – Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 17, 2021. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  16. ↑ "Owl City – Chart History: Billboard Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 17, 2021. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  17. ↑ "Discography Owl City". charts.nz. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on January 25, 2023. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  18. ↑ ":: 가온차트와 함께하세요 ::". Gaonchart.co.kr. Archived from the original on December 19, 2012. Retrieved November 5, 2012.
  19. ↑ "Gold & Platinum - Owl Ciy". Recording Industry Association of America. Archived from the original on January 27, 2023. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  20. ↑ Cassie Whitt (August 13, 2012). "Owl City streams new song, I'm Coming After You". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  21. ↑ Emily Laurence (August 13, 2012). "Seventeen Exclusive: Owl City Song Premiere". Seventeen. Archived from the original on April 2, 2023. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  22. ↑ Cassie Whitt (August 20, 2012). "Owl City streams Metropolis from The Midsummer Station". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  23. 1 2 3 4 "The Midsummer Station Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More". Metacritic. Archived from the original on August 26, 2012. Retrieved August 24, 2012.
  24. 1 2 Thomas, Fred. "The Midsummer Station - Owl City : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Archived from the original on August 23, 2012. Retrieved August 19, 2012.
  25. ↑ Stephen Deusner (January 1, 1970). "Owl City: The Midsummer Station". American Songwriter. Archived from the original on April 18, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  26. 1 2 "Owl City: The Midsummer Station". The A.V. Club. August 21, 2012. Archived from the original on April 18, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  27. ↑ "Music - Review of Owl City - The Midsummer Station". BBC. January 1, 1970. Archived from the original on August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 19, 2012.
  28. 1 2 Scott Fryberger (August 5, 2012). "Owl City - The Midsummer Station". Jesus Freak Hideout. Archived from the original on April 18, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  29. 1 2 "Owl City' 'The Midsummer Station' review". Newsday. Archived from the original on August 20, 2012. Retrieved August 19, 2012.
  30. 1 2 Rosen, Jody. "The Midsummer Station". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on August 24, 2012. Retrieved August 23, 2012.
  31. ↑ Keith Harris (September 11, 2012). "Owl City, The Midsummer Station (Universal Republic)". Spin. Archived from the original on April 18, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  32. ↑ Mansfield, Brian (August 21, 2012). "'Midsummer Station' brings Owl City out of the dark". USA Today. Archived from the original on August 21, 2012. Retrieved August 27, 2012.
  33. ↑ "Album Review: Owl City, The Midsummer Station". Billboard. August 24, 2012. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  34. ↑ Tony Cummings (October 9, 2012). "Review: Owl City - The Midsummer Station". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  35. ↑ "Latest Music News, Band, Artist, Musician & Music Video News". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 17, 2013. Retrieved August 30, 2012.
  36. ↑ Jones, Alan. "Official Charts Analysis: Sam & The Womp top 100k sales to hit No.1". Music Week. Archived from the original on November 30, 2012. Retrieved August 30, 2012.
  37. ↑ David Farrell (March 22, 2016). "On the Charts This Week". Archived from the original on April 2, 2023. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  38. ↑ "Owl City - The Midsummer Station". Female First. November 8, 2012. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  39. ↑ "The Midsummer Station by Owl City". iTunes Store. Archived from the original on July 13, 2012. Retrieved July 19, 2012.
  40. ↑ The Midsummer Station (liner notes). Owl City. Universal Republic Records. 2012.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  41. ↑ "Owl City – The Midsummer Station (File, Album) at Discogs". discogs. August 17, 2012. Archived from the original on March 6, 2016. Retrieved August 23, 2012.
  42. ↑ "The Midsummer Station – Owl City | Credits". AllMusic. August 21, 2012. Archived from the original on October 27, 2012. Retrieved May 4, 2014.
  43. ↑ ""Time" by Gediminas Pranckevicius at the gallery of Gedomenas.com". Gediminas Pranckevicius. Archived from the original on November 13, 2012. Retrieved November 5, 2012.
  44. ↑ "Australiancharts.com – Owl City – The Midsummer Station". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 29, 2012.
  45. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Owl City – The Midsummer Station" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 29, 2012.
  46. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Owl City – The Midsummer Station" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
  47. ↑ "Owl City Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved May 30, 2018.
  48. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Owl City – The Midsummer Station" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
  49. ↑ "Lescharts.com – Owl City – The Midsummer Station". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
  50. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Owl City – The Midsummer Station" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved May 30, 2018.
  51. ↑ "ザ・ミッドサマー・ステーション | Owl City" [The Midsummer Station | Owl City] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on May 30, 2018. Retrieved May 30, 2018.
  52. ↑ "Charts.nz – Owl City – The Midsummer Station". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 29, 2012.
  53. ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – Owl City – The Midsummer Station". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
  54. ↑ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 30, 2018.
  55. ↑ "South Korea Circle Album Chart". On the page, select "2012.09.02~2012.09.08" to obtain the corresponding chart. Circle Chart Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  56. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Owl City – The Midsummer Station". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 30, 2018.
  57. ↑ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 30, 2018.
  58. ↑ "Owl City Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved May 30, 2018.
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