If you've been having problems with the site since last week (Friday 18 May) please read this. (Hide this message)

Peaking Lights - 936

Our album of the week (24th February 2011)

936 by Peaking Lights
  • A1 - All The Sun That Shines
  • A2 - Amazing And Wonderful
  • A3 - Birds Of Paradise (Dub Version)
  • B1 - Hey Sparrow
  • B2 - Tiger Eyes (Laid Back)
  • B3 - Marshmellow Yellow

Note: videos may not match the album...

5...according to our on Wed 16 Nov, 2011.

Dear Mister Record Purchasing Addiction Counselor,

I've been doing great recently and not been blowing all of my wages on records... But this new plate came up and I need it so much in my life you wouldn't believe > You need it too. I played this record five times already on promo, it is more addictive than crystal meth, make no mistake, Peaking Lights have stolen my heart & soul and will not let go.

I first totally fell in love with these guys after watching their feature just under a year ago on web station VBS and have picked up a coupla records, but holy shit! This is the real jewel in their crown. 'All The Sun That Shines' played through my head like groundhog day and kept me awake at night. The songwriting on this record is pure joy, I would say pretty much perfect syrupy dream pop music. Add into the brew Aarons's penchant for homemade electronics and passion for dub music and the combination is a basement dub pop killer of extreme proportions. His guitar playing on the record is mind twistingly amazing, coupled with Indra's breathtaking ultra-dreamy seductive vocals and spine tingling soulful keys. This is pure medicine, lo-fi dubbed smeared slow-mo psychedelic pop of the highest order. And let me tell you Mister Counselor that Aaron knows a thing or two about DUB. So many mediocre records slip in a dub element, but this man truly knows the real power and nuances of proper dub music, letting the bass massage my cerebral cortex while the FX echo and reverberate into crystalline shards of pure pleasure.
Indra's lyrics are both euphoric and melancholy (see 'Tiger Hearts') and will turn the coldest heart of stone into jelly... Simple, well executed and ultimately profound. Not a single moment on this record loses my attention... Need another fix... Ahhhhhhh... 'Birds Of Paradise' is dub bliss. The balance of DIY basement aesthetics and a slight sheen of polish on '936' is perfect. Peaking Lights must have realised here that they have something special going and have cleaned their sound up a little for greater appeal, but let's face it... No old fans are gonna be alienated and the more ears they can reach with these tunes the better.

It's probably a very bold statement this early in the year but I'm gonna say this is probably one of the most sublime, gorgeous and infectious records you are likely to hear all year and will be seriously reducing the life of my stylus.

Unless Jesus, Bo Diddley, Satan and King Tubby come together and create a supergroup then I don't wanna hear anything else right now. Totally blissed out lush record of gargantuan proportions with a zillion seals of approval... Recommended to infinity for those that enjoy everything from Seefeel to Forest Swords and that good old Jamaican shit!... Hey doctor man can I get a Peaking Lights prescription...

Sometimes it feels so simple: two of our favorite people in one of our favorite bands release one of our favorite records of all time. 2009’s Imaginary Falcons was its own genius slushpile of tape-hissy drift-dub haze anthems, no question, but 936 takes every facet of the Peaking Lights mighty diamond and shines it to fluorescent perfection. The songwriting is insane; “All The Sun That Shines,” “Amazing & Wonderful,” “Tiger Eyes (Laid Back),” etc, all seep into yr mindstream and float there like melodic gold dust. Indra Dunis’ silky soul-jazz keys and tranced vocals have never sounded so exquisite, and Aaron Coyes busts out the best bass/drum loops and sneaky dub guitar of his musical lifetime. Recorded by Luke Tweedy at Flat Black Studios in Iowa City (where both the NNF Wet Hair LPs were tracked) and mastered in Berlin, 936 retains the cool crate-digger grit of their earlier highlights, but within a much more vivid spectrum of sound. Could not be more jazzed and honored to unveil this total groove-wave classic. Black vinyl LPs in jackets with vintage art by the band. Edition of 600.

Be the first to review this record. Best reviewer each month gets £10 off their next order!

You don't have to provide your email address, but without it we can't give you a prize if this is the month's best review!

Keep it civil, please!

Anti-spam question...