Sun & The Neon Light

Booka Shade | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 27, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Get Physical Music
• ASIN: B0014I4VCA
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #252,218 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic downtempo turn for the duo., June 6, 2008

By 

Doctor Trance (MA, United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Sun & The Neon Light (Audio CD)

Leaving their massive club hits behind can be either a good or bad thing, depending on which way you look at it. While I really can't stomach listening to Mandarine Girl or Body Language much any more, as they've become too played out in my head, I could listen to Night Falls and In White Rooms every day of the week. Some hits stay with you, and others you want nothing more to do with once they've found their way onto the 5th DJ mixed cd you've heard in the past few months. The Sun and The Neon Light may not have any of the dance floor stomping hits you've come to expect from Booka, they've returned with a solid excursion into downtempo melodies and cinematic-like soundscapes.

I don't think it's an album that needs to grow on you, as at first listen, the intial 3 tracks have very catchy and accessible melodies to begin the album. It changes back and forth from new wave like, synth-pop vocal tunes, to downtempo minimal, to upbeat tech house tracks. There's still your share of get up and dance tracks like Karma Car, Planetary, and the well reviewed single, Charlotte. They've also included a radio mix of they very catchy sythn-pop track, Numbers, which they first introduced on their DJ-Kicks mix CD. The only issue I have with the album is them not including their track Tickle, which was released on vinyl along with Karma Car. I liked that track a lot, in fact, better than Karma Car.

Those seeking more euphoric and upbeat tracks like those found on Movements may be a little disappointed, as the album definitely takes on a feel like they are attempting to become more creative with their electronica, rather than trying to appease the masses and find their way onto 8 mix Cd's this year.

For those of you who are hesitant at purchasing this new album because of this lack of dance floor oriented electro and tech house, there's also the limited edition version found here: The Sun & the Neon Light. It's currently an import, and hopefully the price will come down for US buyers. It's not a must have, unless you are looking for a more upbeat sound. The 2nd disc features remixes of most of the album tracks, and also includes two tracks not found on Disc 1. It isn't exactly a DJ mix per se, but it is continuously mixed. If you can find it for a decent price, it's well worth having both discs, as it's interesting to see all the album tracks morph into club tracks, to get an insight into what the album could have been if it remained all upbeat.

I'm very impressed with this album, and find myself listening to both discs of the Limited Edition quite frequently. I think they both provide a different feel, and I haven't become spoiled by hearing the 2nd disc of remixes, as I still find the original versions interesting enough to stand alone. There are 14 tracks on the main album disc, and I'd say I found 12 of them to be above average. Add the Limited Edition's 11-track, 2nd disc, which really doesn't have any weak tracks, and you're getting a lot of music from one of the best duos in today's electronica. You really can't go wrong as those not preferring the more downtempo and vocal vibes of the album, should have no trouble with the peppy, 2nd disc mix on the limited edition: The Sun & the Neon Light.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars They just keep getting better and better..., June 15, 2008

By 

D. Dowd (San Bruno, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Sun & The Neon Light (MP3 Download)

I found out about Booka Shade about 2 years ago when my brother was living in Ireland. I've been a big fan ever since.
Their third studio album, entitled "The Sun & The Neon Light", is by far their most mature and focused to date. They still know their way around the studio, but they seem to have taken a different route this time. While their penchant for a minimal approach remains intact, they seem to have tweaked it and have created something thoroughly enjoyable. Their last effort was a delight for the ears but just lacked the real depth that this one has.
Give it a listen, you wont regret it.

Key tracks include: Control Me, Charlotte, Sweet Lies and Psychameleon. But they're all great.

Also, if you ever get the chance to catch these guys live, do it.

4.0 out of 5 stars Booka Shade - The Sun & The Neon Light, October 31, 2011

By 

scoundrel - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sun & The Neon Light (Audio CD)

Booka Shade hits the decks again for THE SUN & THE NEON LIGHT, which seems them continue their select blend of techno, house and everything in between. The electro bleeps of "Outskirts" are grounded by the swelling strings, while "Duke" is spare and dark, but not quite minimal. "Dusty Boots" and "Comacabana" let in a little twangy country riffs, and "Control Me" dives into synth-pop. But it's not until "Charlotte" that the album really kicks off in all its playful glory; the smooth and quasi-romantic "Numbers" soon follows. The title track wanders in and out of Detroit, going from cool industrialism to warmth techno, but as "Sweet Lies" comes in, we can hear how Booka Shade wishes to juxtapose the two. Electro returns for "Karma Car," and there's a little bit of stomp in "Psychameleon," and an almost alarming wiggle to "Planetary." But "You Don't Know What You Mean To Me" caps the album on a soft note. But if you're in a dancing mood, head on over to the 2nd disc, where the beats are plentiful.