Ambient Blue
| Ambient Blue | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| EP by | ||||
| Released | September 2, 2008 | |||
| Genres | ||||
| Length | 23:42 | |||
| Label | Independent | |||
| Producer | Adam Young | |||
| Swimming With Dolphins chronology | ||||
| ||||
Ambient Blue is the debut release and first EP by the American electronica band, Swimming With Dolphins. It was released on September 2, 2008.[1]
It is the first and only release with Adam Young, before shortly leaving the band after its release as Owl City's popularity began to increase.[2]
Background
[edit]The EP was produced by Adam Young.[3] The song "Silhouettes", from the album, features guest vocals from Breanne Düren.[4] In addition to the main release, the band also put out a cover version of Tracy Chapman's "Fast Car" as B-side single to the EP.[5]
In September 2013, Tofte did an interview with Chris Herlihy's weekly syndicated radio show and talked about the band in general, which included a look back at the EP, where he revealed the EP was recorded in Young's parents basement.[6]
Critical reception
[edit]| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AbsolutePunk |   [7] |
| Jesus Freak Hideout |  [8] |
| New Release Tuesday | [9] |
| Under The Gun Review | [10] |
Ambient Blue was met with generally positive reviews from music critics. AbsolutePunk stated, "It's obvious they have the ear for lyrical strength, great vocal application, and strong production."[7] Ben Cardenas of Jesus Freak Hideout called the EP, "inventive, catchy, and lengthy." He described the song "Everything's A Miracle" as "a fun dance song" and stated that the track is the highlight of the album. However, he criticized the track "Sunset 1989" for its sloppy, awkward chorus and called the song, "the weakest link on the album."[8]
Despite having no chart success, the EP managed to sell over 9,000 copies on iTunes.[3]
Track listing
[edit]All tracks are written by Austin Tofte and Adam Young, except where noted.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Silhouettes" (featuring Breanne Düren) | 5:50 |
| 2. | "Pajama Party" | 3:50 |
| 3. | "Sunset, 1989" | 3:19 |
| 4. | "Everything's a Miracle" | 5:41 |
| 5. | "Up in the Stars" | 5:02 |
| Total length: | 23:42 | |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Fast Car" (originally performed by Tracy Chapman) | Tracy Chapman | 4:39 |
Personnel
[edit]- Swimming With Dolphins
- Austin Tofte – vocals, keyboards, piano, synthesizers, programming, engineer, audio mixer
- Adam Young – keyboards, piano, synthesizers, programming, engineer, audio mixer
- Additional musicians and production
- Breanne Düren – additional vocals on track 1, backing vocals on track 4
References
[edit]- ↑ "Ambient Blue on iTunes". iTunes. September 2, 2008. Archived from the original on July 4, 2019. Retrieved May 17, 2014.
- ↑ Rich Smith. "Swimming With Dolphins - Water Colours". louderthanthemusic.com. Archived from the original on July 15, 2023. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
- 1 2 "Swimming with Dolphins". louderthanthemusic.com. Archived from the original on July 15, 2023. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
- ↑ Shahlin Graves (November 26, 2011). "Interview: An Exclusive Indoor-Picnic Date With Breanne Düren". Coupdemainmagazine.com. Archived from the original on February 7, 2013. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
- ↑ "Swimming With Dolphins' cover of "Fast Car" on SoundCloud". SoundCloud. Archived from the original on October 9, 2014. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
- ↑ "Austin Tofte (Swimming With Dolphins) on Chris Herlihy". YouTube. Archived from the original on March 7, 2016. Retrieved May 19, 2014.
- 1 2 "Swimming with Dolphins - Ambient Blue". AbsolutePunk.net. November 15, 2008. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - 1 2 Ben Cardenas (May 25, 2011). "Swimming With Dolphins - Ambient Blue EP". Jesus Freak Hideout. Archived from the original on September 2, 2018. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
- ↑ "Swimming With Dolphins - Ambient Blue Overview & Review". New Release Today. Archived from the original on May 18, 2014. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
- ↑ James Shotwell (February 12, 2009). "Swimming With Dolphins - Ambient Blue". Under the Gun Review. Archived from the original on June 16, 2013. Retrieved May 18, 2014.
