PETER LACEY ~ BEHIND THE SCENES

Each time I receive a copy of a new album by Peter Lacey I think I have a pretty good idea what to expect based on its predecessor. And every time I’m wrong. When I read the accompanying blurb to Peter’s latest work which mentions the word “concept”, my brain immediately went into “Pepper” mode. Wrong again as, far from exploring the realms of over-production and potential self-indulgence, Peter has produced a somewhat restrained, almost intimate collection of songs with only a hint of a common thread – the theme being the “interplay between reality & illusion”. Behind The Scenes is certainly laid back with most songs being characterised by a lean production with the minimum of instrumentation. Part of the thread is represented by the funfair theme which kicks in on the first track, 'Funfair For The Common Man' complete with authentic sounding effects – a definite nod to something Pepper-esque. Peter’s voice edges toward Gerry Rafferty country, with double tracked highlights and some sparingly used harmonies – a good start to the album and a song which sets the tone for what is to come. 'Transport Of Delight' follows with the lightest of accompaniment and thoughtful lyrics – by the way, the words throughout the album are well up to Peter’s standard and complement the music well.

'Sunday Painter' begins with a couple of seconds of Wizard Of Oz soundtrack (odd) then becomes one of the most jaunty numbers of the set while 'Destination Home' features a more sparse feel with the drums mixed almost totally “dry”. The only instrumental, 'Shadow Play' is a smooth, not-quite-Hank-Marvin number which contrasts with 'Psychedelic Tie', an upbeat song with a driving rhythm that, I have to say, reminds me of 'Tomorrow Never Knows' – a bit. This one goes off at a tangent at the end with a family at the fair recapturing times gone by – it’s a long time since an ice cream was a shilling! The album is divided not into two sides but “acts” – Act Two starts with another thoughtful number, 'Cast My Own Shadow' with authentic folk-like instrumentation and Clifford T Ward style vocals. The title track continues in a similar vein – a spare but polished production with a “lonely” sound. 'Claire Obscure' has a really nice melody with more tasteful strings and which sits comfortably with 'Laughing Boy Here' – some nice stereo panning on this one.

'Your Familiar Face' brightens the mood a little with a pleasant Latin flavour and the album closes with 'Whatever Keeps Your Boat Afloat' which includes some interesting noises and more Pepper-y funfair orchestra tacked on to the end almost as an afterthought, much like train/dogs at the end of Pet Sounds. Peter is certainly prolific, with this latest offering coming hard on the heels of South Downs Way but it is markedly different from his earlier work, having an almost folksy flavour - with no hint of Beach Boys. The instrumental work is top notch – if PL made all these noises then he is to be congratulated. This album may lack excitement but it is easy on the ear, well produced with, perhaps, a more mature feel to it – ideal late night listening I reckon. Behind The Scenes is officially released and downloadable on January 12th but hard copies may also be obtained right now from www.pinkhedgehog.com.

Reviewed in Beach Boys Britain by Chris White, UK

Singer/songwriter Peter Lacey is currently on the most sizeable roll this side of Greggs bakery. The recent South Downs Way collaboration with Stephen John Kalinich provided Lacey with a memorable parenthetical aside with which to exorcise a profound Beach Boys fixation: and now, hot on its distinguished heels, comes the loosely conceptual lushness of Behind The Scenes. Lacey's seventh album is helpfully divided into two six-song acts: broadly speaking, Act One favours a mood of beatific existential bliss while Act Two tends towards ruminative melancholia. Of the former, 'Transport Of Delight' and 'Sunday Painter' are ochre-toned highlights - akin to Apple Venus-era XTC - while 'Funfair For The Common Man' plunges down an appropriately impressionistic 'Mr Kite' helter-skelter of whirling calliope and glockenspiel. Act Two, meanwhile, should be catnip for Clifford T Ward obsessives everywhere ('Cast My Own Shadow', 'Claire Obscure'), and features Lacey's most immaculately crafted lyric to date in the sepulchral shape of 'Laughing Boy Here'.

Reviewed in Shindig! by Marco Rossi, UK

Peter’s seemingly already 7th release is being released (on CDR only). It is a rather conceptual album, in two parts, with a vision before and behind the scenes of life’s funfair & circus. Luckily here Peter uses his voice in perfectly suited songs, with nice arrangements hanging between the acoustic and electric tension with rocking drums (while his voice has an acoustic effect of its own). On the 6th track this electric part is nearly progressive. The sometimes slightly orchestrated tracks, with flute and keyboards work pretty well. This hangs together well. So this is a convincing album.

Reviewed at Singer-Songwriters, BELGIUM

Peter Lacey follows his recent album with Stephen Kalinich with a new solo album. It’s a concept album of sorts about the interplay between reality and illusion he’s said. It starts with the carnival sounds of 'Funfair for the Common Man' which is ever so slightly eerie. 'Sunday Painter' sounds more upbeat, Lacey musing about an artist’s life. Musically it kinda reminds me of Stephen Duffy’s ever-underrated Lilac Time. It’s very light and airy. 'Cast My Own Shadow' is a neat, folksy tune with a laid back vibe that Lacey captures well. 'Your Familiar Face' lives up to its title by being pensive and carefully played as Lacey sings of a loved one. There’s a jazzy undertow to the song that’s very likeable. This is a very unassuming concept album, though it’s clearly well done and heartfelt. It doesn’t overstay its welcome and might make even make you feel sad when it’s over.

Reviewed at Collected Sounds by Anna Maria Stjärnell, USA

It isn’t long ago (six months to be precise) that the excellent Peter Lacey and Stephen Kalinich collaboration was released. However, the prolific Lacey has now released a new solo album called Behind The Scenes - his seventh album in all. Once again, Lacey’s smooth textured and harmonic sounds are showcased. The publicity suggests this a concept album with a thread running through of an interplay between reality and illusion. There is certainly a constant Sgt. Pepper-like show atmosphere throughout the album that ties together the songs and the thin line that sometimes exists between reality and make-believe. But ultimately an album is about the individual tracks and there is some very strong tunesmithing in the poppy opener 'Funfair For The Common Man', the traditional folky sounds of 'Cast My Own Shadow' and the languid instrumental 'Shadow Play'. My personal favorite is the effortlessly beautiful 'Laughing Boy Here', a melody Brian Wilson would be proud of. You can get a copy on the Pink Hedgehog website , where you can also get most of Lacey’s back catalogue.

Reviewed at Cabin Essence, USA

I have been waiting with eager anticipation to hear how Peter would follow his successful collaboration with Stephen John Kalinich and I’m thrilled that Peter has come up with what is, to my ears, his best album yet. Perhaps the concept ("the interplay between reality and illusion") gives the integrity that previous recordings lacked (however splendid these were in their own right), perhaps the array of sounds Peter conjures up gives a breadth of musical palette that renders the music irresistible, perhaps the sheer achievement of Peter writing, playing and producing the whole album himself seals the deal. Whatever the reasons Behind The Scenes will surely establish Peter Lacey as a major recording artist and give the Pink Hedgehog label some much deserved further success.

Reviews are already appearing in High Street music publications so the signs are good. The musical touchstones of Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys and Paul McCartney’s early homespun works should also ensure a wide appeal. Having said all that, it is obvious that Peter himself is an artist of great integrity whose ‘raison d’etre’ is not commercial success but artistic achievement and in this sense his contribution to music has been considerable whatever else happens. Behind The Scenes is released on 11th January and is one of the new year’s first essential purchases.

Reviewed in Zeitgeist by Phil Jackson, UK

This is the best Christmas present I could imagine - a new Peter Lacey album, hot on the heels of his last release! And a concept album ta-boot? Well, I think that term has been used to death - I'd rather call Behind The Scenes an album that is flowing with concurrent themes. Split into two "acts", the concepts of reality and illusion in the human psyche are explored. While the classic Peter Lacey harmony vocals are there, what's really exciting is the cool air of experimentation that permeates here. There is a more varied use of musical instruments from Peter's norm of recording, in addition to sound effects/sound bites. A few times you hear “circus music” in the background – what better example of “reality and illusion”? Some of Peter's past work as been compared to Beach Boy Brian Wilson - well, this one has the cheery melodicism of Paul McCartney all over it. I think Behind The Scenes includes some of Peter's most beautiful melodies so far! You've done it again Peter!

Reviewed at Ear Candy by Ronnie Dannelley, USA