Siberia (Lights album)

Siberia follows Lights' debut studio album The Listening (2009), and her second extended play Acoustic (2010). After Acoustic, Lights, a Toronto-based synth-pop artist, spent time searching for inspiration for her next album. Lights describes a night out in Montreal turning her on to dubstep, which she described as "heavy and raunchy but with this melody in there". At the suggestion of her manager, Jian Ghomeshi, Lights decided to collaborate with the Toronto-based electronica band Holy Fuck, who she had met previously at the Reading and Leeds Festivals. She stated she was drawn to their style of creating lo-fi electro sound using analog equipment, something she described as "a new way of thinking", and related with the band's focus on experimentation.{{cite web |last1=Collins |first1=Leah |title=Interview: Lights Finds Her Way to Siberia |url=http://www.vancouversun.com/Interview+Lights+Finds+Siberia/5507392/story.html |website=www.vancouversun.com |access-date=31 July 2020 |language=en-ca}}{{cite magazine |last1=Enyeart |first1=Brandon |title=#TBT Lights Talks Siberia In Seattle |url=http://www.lemonademagazine.net/interviews/tbt-lights-seattle-interview/ |magazine=Lemonade Magazine |access-date=31 July 2020 |language=en |date=5 January 2017}} Lights credited Crystal Castles, Bon Iver, Skream and Benga as musical influences for the album, as well as a book by artist Clyde Caldwell. The final track in the album, Day One, was a live recording of the last nine minutes of Lights' first jam session with Holy Fuck. Listening to it back the next day, they decided to keep the recording and turn it into its own track.{{cite web |last1=Wilson |first1=P. F. |title=LIGHTS talks Siberia and working with Owl City's Adam Young |url=http://www.citypages.com/music/lights-talks-siberia-and-working-with-owl-citys-adam-young-6627129 |website=City Pages |access-date=31 July 2020}}

{{Music ratings

| MC = (72/100){{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/siberia/lights |title=Critic Reviews for Siberia |publisher=Metacritic |date=Mar 14, 2012 |access-date=Nov 16, 2012}}

| rev1 = AbsolutePunk

| rev1Score = 7.5/10{{Cite web|last=Beringer|first=Drew|date=2011-10-10|title=LIGHTS - Siberia - Album Review|url=http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=2471322|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120802230552/http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=2471322|archive-date=August 2, 2012|website=AbsolutePunk|access-date=October 11, 2011}}

| rev2 = AllMusic

| rev2Score = {{Rating|4|5}}[{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r2290153|pure_url=yes}} Lights - Siberia]. AllMusic. Retrieved Oct 3, 2011

| rev3 = Alternative Press

| rev3Score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{Cite magazine|date=2011-11-17|title=PARAMORE|magazine=Alternative Press|page=97}}

| rev4 = Toronto Star

| rev4Score = {{Rating|3|4}}{{cite web |author-link=Ben Rayner |author=Ben Rayner |url=http://www.toronto.com/article/700166--cuff-the-duke-s-roots-get-raucous-lights-brings-the-beats |title=Cuff the Duke's roots get raucous; Lights brings the beats |publisher=Toronto Star |date=Oct 3, 2011 |access-date=Oct 8, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006162907/http://www.toronto.com/article/700166--cuff-the-duke-s-roots-get-raucous-lights-brings-the-beats |archive-date=October 6, 2011 |url-status=dead }}

| rev5 = DIY Magazine

| rev5Score = 6/10{{Cite magazine|last=Lucas|first=Kosta|date=2012-03-12|title=Lights - Siberia {{!}} Album Reviews|url=http://www.thisisfakediy.co.uk/articles/albums/lights-siberia/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130612143119/http://www.thisisfakediy.co.uk/articles/albums/lights-siberia/|archive-date=2013-06-12|magazine=DIY Magazine}}

| rev6 = musicOMH

| rev6Score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{Cite magazine|last=Murray|first=James|date=2012-03-12|title=Lights - Siberia {{!}} album reviews|url=https://www.musicomh.com/reviews/albums/lights-siberia|magazine=musicOMH}}

| rev7 = Release Magazine

| rev7Score = 9/10{{Cite magazine|last=Carlsson|first=Johan|date=2012-04-20|title=Lights - Siberia {{!}} release|url=https://www.releasemagazine.net/reviews/lights-siberia/|magazine=Release Magazine}}

}}

Siberia received generally positive reviews from music critics, with some commending Lights' vocal performance as well as the album's heavier and more mature sound, while others criticized its lack of originality. Matt Collar from AllMusic gave it a positive review, saying "The album is a blissful, laser-toned experience where Poxleitner's sweet voice is expertly wrapped in stylish, multicolored hues of fluorescent keyboard squelch and bass guitar shimmer."{{cite web|last=Collar |first=Matt |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/siberia-mw0002218924 |title=Siberia - Lights : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards |publisher=AllMusic |date=Oct 4, 2011 |access-date=Nov 16, 2012}} Drew Beringer from AbsolutePunk also gave it a positive review, calling it "one of the better electro-pop albums of 2011, one that will stimulate your senses and rope you in with its instantaneous catchiness", but stated that Lights' vocal performance was "too safe". Alternative Press gave the album a mixed review, saying "The bulk of the album's 14 tracks find her playing it safe with a helium-voiced squeak reminiscent of (take your pick) Gwen Stefani, Santigold, Kate Bush or Cyndi Lauper." Kosta Lucas from DIY Magazine wrote the album failed to shine by blending into what is already out there, adding that it is "a good snapshot of what is currently en vogue in modern music", though he praised the songs which showcased more of Lights' voice, stating that "she sings very prettily". James Murray of musicOMH wrote that the combination of having a "light-hearted pop musician" team up with "one of the most experimental, noisy electronic producers currently active" was a juxtaposition that resulted in "a unique, and for the most part, captivating listen", but also criticised the vocal performance, which Murray stated was often "overshadowed by wobbly bass and distorted synths".

In Canada, Siberia debuted at number three on the Canadian Albums Chart, selling more than 10,000 in its first week.{{cite web |author=John Williams |url=http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/F/Feist_Leslie/2011/10/12/18814541.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120713020931/http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/F/Feist_Leslie/2011/10/12/18814541.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=July 13, 2012 |title=CANOE - JAM! Music - Artists - Feist : Feist, Lights brighten up charts |publisher=Jam! |date=Oct 12, 2011 |access-date=May 25, 2012 }} On April 27, 2012, the album was certified gold by Music Canada for denoting sales in excess of 40,000 copies in Canada.

{{Track listing

| headline = Standard edition

| title1 = Siberia

| writer1 = {{flatlist|

• Lights
• Brian Borcherdt
• Graham Walsh}}

| length1 = 4:19

| title2 = Where the Fence is Low

| writer2 = {{flatlist|

• Lights
• Salter
• Jason Parsons}}

| length2 = 3:24

| title3 = Toes

| writer3 = Lights

| length3 = 3:19

| title4 = Banner

| writer4 = {{flatlist|

• Lights
• Salter}}

| length4 = 3:37

| title5 = Everybody Breaks a Glass

| writer5 = {{flatlist|

• Lights
• Borcherdt
• Walsh
• Shadrach Kabango}}

| length5 = 3:55

| note5 = featuring Holy Fuck and Shad

| title6 = Heavy Rope

| writer6 = {{flatlist|

• Lights
• Salter}}

| length6 = 3:59

| title7 = Timing Is Everything

| writer7 = {{flatlist|

• Lights
• Salter}}

| length7 = 3:16

| title8 = Peace Sign

| writer8 = {{flatlist|

• Lights
• Dave Thomson}}

| length8 = 3:20

| title9 = Cactus in the Valley

| writer9 = Lights

| length9 = 3:23

| title10 = Suspension

| writer10 = {{flatlist|

• Lights
• Salter}}

| length10 = 4:04

| title11 = Flux and Flow

| writer11 = {{flatlist|

• Lights
• Salter
• Parsons}}

| length11 = 3:20

| note11 = featuring Shad

| title12 = Fourth Dimension

| writer12 = {{flatlist|

• Lights
• Thomson}}

| length12 = 3:27

| title13 = ...And Counting

| writer13 = {{flatlist|

• Lights
• Thomson}}

| length13 = 4:42

| title14 = Day One

| writer14 = {{flatlist|

• Lights
• Borcherdt
• Walsh}}

| length14 = 8:58

| total_length = 57:01

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = iTunes Deluxe Version{{cite web|title=Siberia (Deluxe) on iTunes|url=https://itunes.apple.com/ca/preorder/siberia-deluxe-version/id456003166|work=itunes.com|access-date=Aug 16, 2011}}

| title15 = Frame and Focus

| writer15 = {{flatlist|

• Lights
• Thomson}}

| length15 = 3:53

| title16 = Cactus in the Valley

| note16 = Acoustic

| writer16 = Lights

| length16 = 3:48

| title17 = Toes

| note17 = Music video

| length17 = 3:31

| title18 = Toes

| note18 = Nightbox Remix) (pre-order only

| writer18 = {{flatlist|

• Lights
• Salter}}

| length18 = 5:01

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Limited Webstore Bonus Tracks{{cite web|title=Siberia Bundle Preorders|url=http://www.iamlights.com/news/2011/08/16/preorder-siberia-canada-now#comments|work=iamlights.com|access-date=Aug 16, 2011}}

| title15 = Frame and Focus

| writer15 = {{flatlist|

• Lights
• Thomson}}

| length15 = 3:53

| title16 = Cactus in the Valley

| note16 = Acoustic

| writer16 = Lights

| length16 = 3:48

| title17 = Everybody Breaks a Glass

| note17 = Remix

| writer17 = {{flatlist|

• Lights
• Borcherdt
• Walsh
• Kabango}}

| length17 = 4:27

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = UK Re-release{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/gb/preorder/siberia/id501261163 |title=iTunes Store |publisher=iTunes |access-date=May 25, 2012}}{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/ie/preorder/siberia/id501261163 |title=iTunes Store |publisher=iTunes |access-date=May 25, 2012}}

| title15 = Frame and Focus

| writer15 = {{flatlist|

• Lights
• Thomson}}

| length15 = 3:53

| title16 = Cactus in the Valley

| note16 = Acoustic

| writer16 = Lights

| length16 = 3:48

| title17 = Toes

| note17 = Nightbox remix

| writer17 = Lights

| length17 = 5:01

| title18 = Banner

| note18 = SixSickSix remix

| writer18 = {{flatlist|

• Lights
• Salter}}

| length18 = 3:42

}}

• Lights – bass, guitar, synthesizer, vocals, producer
• Brian Borcherdt – producer
• Daenen Bramberger – engineer
• Joän Carvalho – mastering
• Wayne Cochrane – assistant engineer
• Caitlin Cronenberg – photography
• Lenny DeRose – engineer
• Holy Fuck – drum producer, engineer, synthesizer
• Shad K – vocals
• Maurie Kauffman – drums
• Terrance Lam – assistance engineer
• Graham Marsh – producer
• Dave Mohasci – engineer
• Jay Parsons – composer, drum programming
• Thomas Salter – bass, engineer, guitar, synthesizer, producer
• Dave Thompson – programming, producer
• Graham Walsh – producer

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|award=Gold|title=Siberia|type=album|artist=Lights|relyear=2011|certyear=2012|access-date=September 14, 2016}}

{{Certification Table Bottom | nosales=true}}

{{Reflist|2}}

{{Lights}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Siberia}}

Category:2011 albums

Category:Albums recorded at Metalworks Studios

Category:Last Gang Records albums

Category:Lights (musician) albums

Category:Universal Music Canada albums

Category:Warner Records albums