Reception
Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic gave the album 3.5 stars out of 5, saying, "Scaling back the snappy production and crisp guitars of their earlier releases, the group crafts a collection of subdued, lovely melodies in the vein of the Velvet Underground's third album."[1] He added, "While the Pastels lack Lou Reed's lyricism or the Velvets' assured experimentalism, the hushed ambience and sighing melodies of Illumination make it a charming listen."[1] Angela Lewis of The Independent said, "The patron saints of Scottish indie pop retain their love of gently poignant lyrics and mellow guitar rustlings with their umpteenth album in 10 years; but now there's a new electronic edge, adding curiosity value."[2]
Track listing
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| 1. | "The Hits Hurt" | Stephen Pastel | 3:48 |
| 2. | "Cycle" | Pastel, Aggi | 4:33 |
| 3. | "Thomson Colour" | Katrina Mitchell | 1:43 |
| 4. | "Unfair Kind of Fame" | Mitchell | 4:21 |
| 5. | "Fragile Gang" | Pastel | 2:39 |
| 6. | "The Viaduct" | Pastel, Mitchell | 5:08 |
| 7. | "Remote Climbs" | Pastel | 2:46 |
| 8. | "Rough Riders" | Pastel, Aggi | 4:31 |
| 9. | "On the Way" | Aggi | 3:38 |
| 10. | "Leaving this Island" | Mitchell | 2:31 |
| 11. | "G12 Nights" | Pastel | 1:12 |
| 12. | "Attic Plan" | Pastel | 4:22 |
| 13. | "Mechanised" | Mitchell | 1:31 |
|
|
| 14. | "Frozen Wave" | Pastel, Aggi | 5:07 |
| 15. | "Windy Hill" | Mitchell | 3:59 |
Personnel
Credits adapted from liner notes.
- Stephen Pastel – guitar, vocals, keyboards
- Aggi – bass guitar, vocals, melodica
- Katrina Mitchell – drums, vocals, keyboards, melodica, violin, arrangement
- Jonathan Kilgour – guitar
- Gerard Love – guitar
- Norman Blake – guitar, vocals
- Dean Wareham – guitar, vocals
- Bill Wells – piano, arrangement
- Sarah Ward – flute
- Isobel Campbell – cello
- Dawn Kelly – French horn
- Gregor Reid – percussion
