Siberia Acoustic Explained

Siberia Acoustic
Type:remix
Artist:Lights
Cover:Siberia Acoustic Album Art.jpg
Genre:Acoustic, pop
Label:Universal, Last Gang
Producer:Lights
Prev Title:Siberia
Prev Year:2011
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Siberia Acoustic (alternately stylized as Siberia (Acoustic)) is the second acoustic album recorded by Canadian electropop artist Lights, featuring acoustic reworkings of songs off her second studio album, Siberia (2011).[1] It was released April 30, 2013 through Universal Music Group and Last Gang Records.[2] The album was preceded on March 15 by the release of its first and only single, "Cactus in the Valley", which was re-recorded as a duet with American electronica project Owl City.[3]

Upon its release, Siberia Acoustic debuted at number seven on the Billboard Canadian Albums Chart and at number 86 on the Billboard 200, her second-highest peak on either chart at the time. The album received generally positive reviews from contemporary music critics, who found that the acoustic production put emphasis on Lights's songwriting talents but also made the songs less compelling than in their studio renditions.[1]

Critical reception

Siberia Acoustic received mostly positive reviews from contemporary music critics for showcasing her abilities as a singer-songwriter. At AllMusic, reviewer Matt Collar wrote that "although Lights normally makes electronic pop that often features electric guitars, keyboards, and dance-influenced beats, she is at her core a melodic singer-songwriter. Not surprisingly, many of the songs on Siberia lend themselves to these intimate re-recordings." He rated the album 4 stars out of 5.[1] Brent Faulkner of PopMatters responded positively to Lights' vocals on the album ("Lights sounds superb throughout," he writes) but ultimately felt the acoustic soundscape "fails to compel as much" as Siberia′s original production. "All in all," he summarized before delivering a 6/10 rating, "Siberia Acoustic is enjoyable if sometimes bland."

Claire Louise Sheridan of Alter the Press! gave a particularly complimentary review in which she highlights Lights's vocal range and interpretive abilities. "No matter what your previous impressions of Lights may be," writes Sheridan, "cast them aside. Siberia Acoustic is a truly different experience which allows appreciation of the overwhelming beauty of her talent and thus the true basis of her appeal."

Credits and personnel

Credits for Siberia Acoustic adapted from AllMusic.[4]

Performance credits
Instruments
Production
Packaging

Release history

CountryDateFormatLabelCatalog
CanadaApril 30, 2013CDUniversal Music CanadaB00C3DIY9G[5]
Digital download
Vinyl (LP)B00CB6VT8S[6]
United StatesCDLast Gang RecordsB00BR0SGZ8[7]
Digital download[8]
May 28, 2013Vinyl (LP)B00BR0SEJ6[9]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Collar. Matt. Siberia Acoustic – Lights. AllMusic. August 6, 2014.
  2. Web site: Siberia (Acoustic) by Lights. August 6, 2014. iTunes Store (CA). Apple Inc.
  3. Web site: Cactus in the Valley (Acoustic) – Single. iTunes Store (GB). Apple Inc. August 6, 2014.
  4. Web site: Siberia Acoustic – Lights Credits. AllMusic. April 29, 2015.
  5. Web site: Siberia Acoustic: Lights: Amazon.ca: Music. Amazon Music. Amazon.com. April 29, 2015.
  6. Web site: Siberia Acoustic (Vinyl): Lights: Amazon.ca: Music. Amazon Music. Amazon.com. April 29, 2015.
  7. Web site: Amazon.com: LIGHTS: Siberia Acoustic: Music. Amazon Music. Amazon.com. April 29, 2015.
  8. Web site: Siberia (Acoustic) by Lights. iTunes Store (US). Apple Inc. April 29, 2015.
  9. Web site: Amazon.com: LIGHTS: Siberia Acoustic: Music. Amazon Music. Amazon.com. April 29, 2015.