Mr. McDougall said he chose Owl City because Mr. Young's sound felt very much in sync with videogames.

WSJ: 'The Croods': Making the Cartoons Sing

The studio contacted him after hearing Owl City's pop song, "Fireflies, " which was Mr. Young's first No. 1 hit single after he was discovered on Myspace.

WSJ: 'The Croods': Making the Cartoons Sing

Several tracks on that playlist were by Owl City.

WSJ: 'The Croods': Making the Cartoons Sing

Then voyage over to the Grille at Crosswater and indulge in specialties like four-cheese fondue with Dungeness crab or the Kansas City pulled pork before sampling some Northwest microbrews at the Owl's Nest.

BBC: Daily deal: Oregon mountain resort

His follow up album, Night Owl, with contributions from Richard Thompson, was again well received but failed to emulate the success of City to City.

BBC: Obituary: Gerry Rafferty