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

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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

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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

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Musicians

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Production

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

References

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  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.