As a long time Lights fan, it's going to be difficult to write an unbiased review of her latest album "Siberia (Acoustic)" but I'm going to give it my best shot.
Overall, it's an impressive concept. "Siberia" was so electronic that no one could really be sure how the songs would be re-imagined for an acoustic album, and Lights pulls it off, mostly, but I'll come to that.
The album starts off with my favorite track from the original album Banner and it's still a sweet, uplifting tune, but a little more laid-back than the electronic anthem it was originally.
Next up is Cactus In The Valley which is interesting because there already was an acoustic version that was released as a bonus track, so the main differences here are arrangement and the addition of vocals by Owl City (Adam Young) I'll go on record as saying that I'm not even remotely an Owl City fan, and his contribution to this song is indicative of why. While I do enjoy the new musical arrangement of this version, Owl City's vocals commit the biggest crime of a duet, they add nothing to the song. If there was a Lights-only version of this song without OC then it would probably be my favorite song on the album, as it is, it's my least favorite. If this seems harsh, it's because the rest of the album is so good, this misstep really grates.
Where The Fence Is Low showcases some amazing folky guitar work, and is a great showcase for Lights' vocal prowess.
Just so everyone knows, I'm not against Lights doing a duet, and her work with Max Kerman on Siberia is the opposite of Owl City's contribution. Their voices have enough contrast with each other to give the song some real meat.
Suspension shows how much work has gone into this album, it's so heavily electronic in it's original form that it really is a completely different song now, and stripped down to it's roots, it's still an amazing song.
In my opinion Toes is the jewel of this album, instead of the sparkling, bass-heavy tune it was, it's now moody and almost melancholic, it truly is a re-imagining of the song and it gives me chills to listen to it.
Lights' gets some help from French-Canadian artist Couer de Pirate who adds French-language lyrics to Peace Sign and the vocals, gorgeous strings and delicate guitar work, make this song as comforting as a old, favorite blanket.
Heavy Rope is one of the most plaintive, sad songs on the album and the much slower arrangement intensifies that feeling.
Flux and Flow is nearly unrecognizable from it's original form, and again, it's what is magical about this album, same lyrics but such a different feeling you come away with from it, you pay much more attention to the lyrics and Lights' wrings every bit of emotion from them with her almost husky vocals .
And Counting... has probably changed the least from it's original form, it's still a lovely ballad, now with stirring strings and wonderful piano accompaniment.
The iTunes bonus track, Timing Is Everything is a charming, laid-back version of the original, you can picture her sitting around a bonfire with just a guitar.
Overall, it's a incredible piece of work, as stated above, it's not perfect, but it's an incredible re-imagining of already amazing songs, and it's a tribute to Lights' skill not only as a musician, but as a songwriter that she can translate these songs to an entirely different musical "language".
Go pick it up now on iTunes and be sure to follow Lights on Twitter, Facebook and her official site!
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