Ocean Eyes (Deluxe Version)

Filled with bubbling electronics and light, G-rated club anthems, Ocean Eyes sets its sights on the MySpace generation, targeting the younger siblings of those who bought the Postal Service's Give Up six years earlier. This is computerized pop music, replete with programmed drum loops, digital symphonies, and all the amenities of modern recording software. Only Adam Young's vocals carry a hint of human presence, and his fanciful lyrics — which turn even the most mundane content (see "Dental Care," a good ol' fashioned ode to oral hygiene) into whimsy — serve to strengthen the album's escapist appeal. Such syrupy sweetness builds to a feverish pitch throughout the album's 12 tracks, peaking during the viral sensation "Hello Seattle" and the number one single "Fireflies." Those who don't have a sweet tooth should stay away, but Ocean Eyes will serve as a tasty dessert for those who can stomach it. [The album was reissued one year later as a double-disc record, with seven bonus cuts added to the existing track list.]