Peaks & Valleys is the third solo album by Scottish–Australian singer Colin Hay, released in 1992. Hay recorded each song in one take, over a seven day period, in a Melbourne recording studio, owned by former Men at Work band member, Greg Ham.[2]

Peaks & Valleys
Studio album by
Released1992
Recorded1991
GenrePop rock
Length48:15
LabelEastWest
ProducerColin Hay
Colin Hay chronology
Wayfaring Sons
(1990)
Peaks & Valleys
(1992)
Topanga
(1994)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[1]

Hay discussing the album in an interview with The Canberra Times in 1992, commented "I want it to be a monumental smash, I doubt it will be, but that's what I would like. I'm prepared to be disappointed but I'm also prepared to be very excited. I don't have any control over what happens to it now, it's in the lap of the gods." He went onto to say "I play the guitar and I sing a song and entertain, that's my job and if people like listening to it - that's great, that makes me feel fulfilled."[2]

The album was re-released in 1996 by BMG, in 1998 by Lazyeye Records and in 2006 by Compasss Records.

Reviews edit

Stephen Thomas Erlewine on Allmusic stated that "Even though it doesn't contain any truly outstanding songs, Peaks & Valleys is a pleasant and engaging collection of jangly, vaguely reggae-ish pop from Colin Hay, demonstrating that his melodic skills have not left him."[1]

Track listing edit

All songs written by Colin Hay, except where noted.

  1. "Into the Cornfields" – 3:56
  2. "She Keeps Me Dreaming" (Hay, Deborah Conway) – 3:47
  3. "Can't Take This Town" – 3:25
  4. "Walk Amongst His Ruins" – 3:29
  5. "Hold Onto My Hand" – 4:54
  6. "Keep on Walking" – 2:28
  7. "Dream On" – 5:16
  8. "Boy Boy" – 2:16
  9. "Conversation" – 3:13
  10. "Melbourne Song" – 2:44
  11. "Sometimes I Wish" – 6:26
  12. "Go Ask an Old Man" – 2:54
  13. "Sea Dogs" – 3:27

Personnel edit

Musicians edit

Production edit

  • Colin Hay – producer, mixing
  • Martin Pullan – engineer, mastering, mixing

References edit

  1. ^ a b Peaks & Valleys at AllMusic
  2. ^ a b "Good Times". The Canberra Times. Vol. 66, no. 20, 815. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 9 April 1992. p. 13. Retrieved 15 June 2023 – via National Library of Australia.