Greeting Garlands

[mmmender]

http://www002.upp.so-net.ne.jp/quisquose/ct/album/ngarlandslpf.jpg

1) When did you first hear Garlands?
2) Was it before or after you had heard other Cocteau Twins material?
3) Out of 10 how would you rate the album? (10 being best)
4) Do you think it's a respectable work, considering it's a first release?
5) Do you think Garlands is similar or different to their other releases?
6) What do you think is the best track on the album?
7) Do you notice a huge improvement in the remastered edition?
8) Roughly how many different editions/formats of this album do you own?
9) Think Heggie brought something unique to this release?
10) Would you buy a 5.1 surround sound edition if it were available?

[lo-fi]

1) When did you first hear Garlands?
Think it was around 1993

2) Was it before or after you had heard other Cocteau Twins material?
I heard Treasure first , then i went on a search for their other material

3) Out of 10 how would you rate the album? (10 being best)
It took me a long while to really get into Garlands , but now i love it , so
so probably 7

4) Do you think it's a respectable work, considering it's a first release?
Yes , also considering the point in musical history when it was produced.

5) Do you think Garlands is similar or different to their other releases?
In a league of its own :)

6) What do you think is the best track on the album?
Wax And Wane

7) Do you notice a huge improvement in the remastered edition?
In some tracks
8) Roughly how many different editions/formats of this album do you own?
2
9) Think Heggie brought something unique to this release?
Maybe
10) Would you buy a 5.1 surround sound edition if it were available?
Probably yes
__________________

[moeism]

1) When did you first hear Garlands? around two years ago
2) Was it before or after you had heard other Cocteau Twins material? no, but it was pretty much what sold me to the band.
3) Out of 10 how would you rate the album? (10 being best) 9
4) Do you think it's a respectable work, considering it's a first release? uhh, yes. it's AMAZING.
5) Do you think Garlands is similar or different to their other releases? not really, but sometimes i feel it's a bit close to head over heels. an obvious precursos to HOH, at least.
6) What do you think is the best track on the album? the self titled, obviously.
7) Do you notice a huge improvement in the remastered edition? not really
8) Roughly how many different editions/formats of this album do you own? just one. (remastered) but when i listen to my ipod, i listen to the older one with some other Aeon on it.
9) Think Heggie brought something unique to this release? I wouldn't know as I have not yet listened to his contributions in his post Cocteaus work.
10) Would you buy a 5.1 surround sound edition if it were available?
hmmmm lately I have no money. but one day maybe.

[dprid]

1) When did you first hear Garlands?

Day of release I think - it's all a bit hazy. I remember ordering it before it was released having heard them on John Peel's show.

2) Was it before or after you had heard other Cocteau Twins material?

I'd heard them on John Peel's show first

3) Out of 10 how would you rate the album? (10 being best)

9

4) Do you think it's a respectable work, considering it's a first release?

Yes, very much so. It had a huge impact on me.

5) Do you think Garlands is similar or different to their other releases?

It's different, only really linking to Head Over Heels and the first couple of EPs, but you can trace the progression through their catalogue and there are glimpses of Garlands in later recordings

6) What do you think is the best track on the album?

Wax And Wane

7) Do you notice a huge improvement in the remastered edition?

Not huge, but better

8) Roughly how many different editions/formats of this album do you own?

All of them, several times (hopefully). Do you really want me to count?

9) Think Heggie brought something unique to this release?

The album would almost certainly have been different without him, so yes.

10) Would you buy a 5.1 surround sound edition if it were available?

See answer 8

[pilgrimx]

1) When did you first hear Garlands?

Maybe in late 83 or 84.I can't be precise,a friend of went to london and bought garlands and a this mortal coil sixteen gathering days e.p.and i know that they were latest realeses,i sure it was before the first this mortal coil album,and that was in 84

2) Was it before or after you had heard other Cocteau Twins material?

Never heard CT's material before Garlands

3) Out of 10 how would you rate the album? (10 being best)

7

4) Do you think it's a respectable work, considering it's a first release?

Yes,and it was that kind of music you ear in that post punk era.I think

5) Do you think Garlands is similar or different to their other releases?

I think it's very different from the others,after garlands they changed they music direction,completelly

6) What do you think is the best track on the album?

Wax And Wane

7) Do you notice a huge improvement in the remastered edition?

Well,i have a japanese garlands mini lp cd,and just opened to check if everything is ok,but never heard it.I think is a remastered versions,isn't it?

8) Roughly how many different editions/formats of this album do you own?

the vynil,the cd and the japanese mini cd lp

9) Think Heggie brought something unique to this release?

I agree with Dprid.

10) Would you buy a 5.1 surround sound edition if it were available?

Hummmm,dunno...

[Baddy2shoos]

1) When did you first hear Garlands? 2000
2) Was it before or after you had heard other Cocteau Twins material? I had heard bbc sessions (yawn) then bought it a few months after that I think.
3) Out of 10 how would you rate the album? (10 being best) 5, great for atmosphere but the tunes and melody aren't there
4) Do you think it's a respectable work, considering it's a first release? Yeah,but it's hardly mindblowing
5) Do you think Garlands is similar or different to their other releases? I think that album was really dark and they lost that after Garlands, but Liz' voice just got better and better. I loved Will's bass playing.
6) What do you think is the best track on the album? Shallow then Halo is the one I listen to most.
7) Do you notice a huge improvement in the remastered edition? Haven't heard remastered version.
8) Roughly how many different editions/formats of this album do you own? 1 -original
9) Think Heggie brought something unique to this release? Yes, that dirty psychotic bass
10) Would you buy a 5.1 surround sound edition if it were available? Probably not.

[Ghosty]

1) When did you first hear Garlands?
Probably in 1989. Must have been one of the first CD's I ever bought (beore that I was all vinyl).

2) Was it before or after you had heard other Cocteau Twins material?
After. I heard/saw the PDD and CF video's first then bought Treasure.The rest came after that.

3) Out of 10 how would you rate the album? (10 being best)
7. Would have been more if Hollow Men wasn't on it.

4) Do you think it's a respectable work, considering it's a first release?
Yes, but very much of it's time. Everything was doom and gloom then.

5) Do you think Garlands is similar or different to their other releases?
Very different. It took me the longest time to get into it compared to any other CT album. I sort of got used to it after playing it a lot but didn't really like it. Only when I bought the remaster did I fully get into it.

6) What do you think is the best track on the album?
Either Blood Bitch, the title track or Grail Overfloweth. Force my arm and I'll choose the latter.

7) Do you notice a huge improvement in the remastered edition?
Abso-mother-friggin'-lutely! I never understood the point of remastering until I heard this one. Way, WAY more powerful than the original CD.

8) Roughly how many different editions/formats of this album do you own?
Exactly two: the original CD and the remaster.

9) Think Heggie brought something unique to this release?
Well, his bassplaying is all over this album. I haven't heard his other stuff but I'd say his playing is almost what this album is all about.

10) Would you buy a 5.1 surround sound edition if it were available?
H'm... not sure. Maybe not for this album. I definitely would for Treasure or Victorialand! Plus I'd need to upgrade my ancient 5.1 system.
__________________

[Quisquose]

1) When did you first hear Garlands?
Sometime before 1995...
2) Was it before or after you had heard other Cocteau Twins material?
I had almost all their back catalog before I bought Garlands
3) Out of 10 how would you rate the album? (10 being best)
7. It's my least favorite of their LPs but I still like it a lot..
4) Do you think it's a respectable work, considering it's a first release?
Yes
5) Do you think Garlands is similar or different to their other releases?
Different, almost in a league of its own
6) What do you think is the best track on the album?
Blind Dumb Deaf... or if we're talking about the one with the Peel sessions, Dear Heart!
7) Do you notice a huge improvement in the remastered edition?
Not really, but I'm not a good judge of that
8) Roughly how many different editions/formats of this album do you own?
I have 3 CDs! I bought the standard version originally, then lost it and found the Peel Session edition used, then found the original, then got the remastered version as a gift.
9) Think Heggie brought something unique to this release?
Absolutely
10) Would you buy a 5.1 surround sound edition if it were available?
Sure, why not?

[Quisquose]

9) Think Heggie brought something unique to this release? Yes, that dirty psychotic bass


Excellent description! :guitar:

[serpentine]

1) When did you first hear Garlands?
In '02, when I bought the CD (used) at Amoeba in SF. Peel sessions too. I was stewked.

2) Was it before or after you had heard other Cocteau Twins material?

After. I don't recall which albums I already had prior, but I bought every record there that I didn't own.

3) Out of 10 how would you rate the album? (10 being best)
high 8, low 9. . It's one of my faves.

4) Do you think it's a respectable work, considering it's a first release?
Hell yes. I would recommend it to someone.

5) Do you think Garlands is similar or different to their other releases?
It's different, but has similarities with their other works of that time.

6) What do you think is the best track on the album?
Shallow then Halo, always.

7) Do you notice a huge improvement in the remastered edition?
I haven't heard the remastered version (or I haven't heard the old edition to compare it to)...hmm, I dont know WHICH edition I have, lol

8) Roughly how many different editions/formats of this album do you own?
1
9) Think Heggie brought something unique to this release?
Yes, and it worked quite well, if I do say so meself! I love the way Baddy described it, hee.


10) Would you buy a 5.1 surround sound edition if it were available?
Yeah, if I had a kickass stereo system to go along with it!! :)

[dan699]

1) When did you first hear Garlands?
I think it was around 1992/3
2) Was it before or after you had heard other Cocteau Twins material?
Well after
3) Out of 10 how would you rate the album? (10 being best)
6
4) Do you think it's a respectable work, considering it's a first release?
For its time, I think it's an amazing debut
5) Do you think Garlands is similar or different to their other releases?
Very different. I don't find any warmth in it. It's very icy
6) What do you think is the best track on the album?
Wax and Wane
7) Do you notice a huge improvement in the remastered edition?
Not huge, but a slight increase in iciness
8) Roughly how many different editions/formats of this album do you own?
3, I think.
9) Think Heggie brought something unique to this release?
Unique? No.
10) Would you buy a 5.1 surround sound edition if it were available?
What's a 5.1 surround?[/QUOTE]

[moeism]

all this talk got me craving garlands. i'm going into my room and listening to garlands over and over until i fall asleep. good night y'all

[elisa]

1) When did you first hear Garlands? 1987
2) Was it before or after you had heard other Cocteau Twins material? After hearing the Pink Opaque, Head Over Heels, Treasure and the Moon & the Melodies.
3) Out of 10 how would you rate the album? (10 being best) 6
4) Do you think it's a respectable work, considering it's a first release? Definitely. They captured a mood and reworked their influences in an innovative way.
5) Do you think Garlands is similar or different to their other releases? Different in that it's less of a pop album than anything else they recorded.
6) What do you think is the best track on the album? Shallow Then Halo ...But I'm Not... wait, Shallow... gaahhh!!
7) Do you notice a huge improvement in the remastered edition? I actually haven't heard it, and probably should.
8) Roughly how many different editions/formats of this album do you own? Cassette, LP, CD
9) Think Heggie brought something unique to this release? Heavy "goth" bass.
10) Would you buy a 5.1 surround sound edition if it were available? Hmm...maybe. I'd have to hear the remastered edition first.

[andylama]

1) When did you first hear Garlands?
1985

2) Was it before or after you had heard other Cocteau Twins material?
Treasure, then HOH, then Garlands

3) Out of 10 how would you rate the album? (10 being best)
Honestly don't know how to rate it. If 10 is best and 1 is "worst by CT standards", then maybe a 4. I don't know, it was never a favorite of mine.

4) Do you think it's a respectable work, considering it's a first release?
Respectable, but not quintessential.

5) Do you think Garlands is similar or different to their other releases?
It (along with the singles from the era) stands apart from the entire rest of their body of work. Totally different in every respect.

6) What do you think is the best track on the album?
Wax and Wane(?) I don't feel strongly about this.

7) Do you notice a huge improvement in the remastered edition?
Not really. It's just louder.

8) Roughly how many different editions/formats of this album do you own?
Just the remastered CD. Used to have the vinyl LP.

9) Think Heggie brought something unique to this release?
Yes.

10) Would you buy a 5.1 surround sound edition if it were available?
Maybe, but only for the novelty. 5.1 wouldn't do much for this particular music--it's so stripped down. I own just a handful of 5.1 DVD-Audio discs, and they are all "no big deal" as far as musical enjoyment is concerned.

[fornasetti]

1) When did you first hear Garlands?
1983
2) Was it before or after you had heard other Cocteau Twins material?
It was after I heard Head Over Heels
3) Out of 10 how would you rate the album? (10 being best)
9
4) Do you think it's a respectable work, considering it's a first release?
Much better than respectable
5) Do you think Garlands is similar or different to their other releases?
Obviously its the root from which the beautiful plant grew
6) What do you think is the best track on the album?
Blood Bitch
7) Do you notice a huge improvement in the remastered edition?
I haven't heard it
8) Roughly how many different editions/formats of this album do you own?
CD, cassette, vinyl
9) Think Heggie brought something unique to this release?
Definitely
10) Would you buy a 5.1 surround sound edition if it were available?
Probably, if I had the right equipment

[aeonaside]

1) When did you first hear Garlands?
When I bought it and Victorialand used at Amoeba Records in San Francisco, February 2006

2) Was it before or after you had heard other Cocteau Twins material?
after: Treasure, Head Over Heels and Lullabies To Violaine

3) Out of 10 how would you rate the album? (10 being best)
7.5

4) Do you think it's a respectable work, considering it's a first release?
Yes, very much so.

5) Do you think Garlands is similar or different to their other releases?
No. Not any LP's at least. Lullabies comes closest I suppose, but still a bit different atmospherically. By the time Head Over Heels was recorded, they had already evolved quite a bit.

6) What do you think is the best track on the album?
"Wax and Wane" (version: The Pink Opaque) and "Blind Dumb Deaf" (BBC version) if those count... maybe not because they're not part of the original release?

7) Do you notice a huge improvement in the remastered edition?
I haven't heard/acquired the remastered edition yet.

8) Roughly how many different editions/formats of this album do you own?
One

9) Think Heggie brought something unique to this release?
Well, the reason I prefer the BBC sessions version of "Blind Dumb Deaf" because of the bass sound... But nothing particular jumps out from the LP versions.

10) Would you buy a 5.1 surround sound edition if it were available?
For sure. This goes for all their releases. I don't have surround sound, but some day when I'm rich...

[harold]

1) When did you first hear Garlands? 1984
2) Was it before or after you had heard other Cocteau Twins material? no
3) Out of 10 how would you rate the album? (10 being best) 3
4) Do you think it's a respectable work, considering it's a first release? no
5) Do you think Garlands is similar or different to their other releases? different -
6) What do you think is the best track on the album? dunno
7) Do you notice a huge improvement in the remastered edition? dunno
8) Roughly how many different editions/formats of this album do you own? zero
9) Think Heggie brought something unique to this release? not really
10) Would you buy a 5.1 surround sound edition if it were available? no

garlands is the only ct record i dont care to own. to me it kinda sounds like a buzz saw with a drum machine whaling in the background. not sure what that would sound like in 5.1 .. maybe cool :)

[Avninder]

1) When did you first hear Garlands?
Damn... Probably back in 1989.
2) Was it before or after you had heard other Cocteau Twins material?
After
3) Out of 10 how would you rate the album? (10 being best)
4
4) Do you think it's a respectable work, considering it's a first release?
so, so
5) Do you think Garlands is similar or different to their other releases?
Are you sure that's robin and liz?
6) What do you think is the best track on the album?
Hmmmm.... It's hard enough to know the names of the tracks of the albums I like.
7) Do you notice a huge improvement in the remastered edition?
Didn't buy it.
8) Roughly how many different editions/formats of this album do you own?
2
9) Think Heggie brought something unique to this release?
Yes.
10) Would you buy a 5.1 surround sound edition if it were available?
Nope. However, give me BBK and I'd be in heaven!

[omnibus]

1. About 6 months ago. Yes, I'm a newbie.
2. After, it' one of the last ones I bought.
3. 8
4. It's a very good album, though definitely near the lower end of the Cocteau spectrum. As a first album it's quite striking. I think I would have definitely enjoyed it when it came out, if I was alive at the time.
5. No, not similar at all. It has a unique dark, aggresive texture.
6. Shallow Then Halo. Sparse and haunting, it sums up the unique appeal of this album.
7. Never heard the original, but the new one sounds fairly crisp and defined for when it was recorded.
8. Just the remastered.
9. Can't really say for sure, not hardcore enough to make a distinction like that. I'd have to say no for now.
10. Maybe someday, if I have a surplus of funds and a good 5.1 system set up. I'd get this one last if there were other 5.1 albums, though. It's a claustrophobic album, doesn't really need an expanded sound field.

Random Thoughts: Why would Rhino pick Blood Bitch for the Goth compilation? It's one of their blandest tracks.

I like the Deftones version of Wax and Wane more than the original.

[djproject]

1) when did you first hear garlands?
back in july 2006

2) was it before or after you had heard other Cocteau Twins material?
i already had/listened to treasure, victorialand, blue bell knoll, heaven or las vegas and all the singles/eps through lullabies to violaine.

3) out of 10 how would you rate the album? (10 being best)
i would probably give it an 8 ... or 8.5 =]

4) do you think it's a respectable work, considering it's a first release?
absolutely.

5) do you think garlands is similar or different to their other releases?
very different ... the instrumentation is sparse (even though the effect treatments would serve as a precursor to things to come) and therefore, make the songs sound too similar.

6) what do you think is the best track on the album?
i've been very partial toward "blind dumb deaf" personally. but i would say "blood bitch" may be called "the best."

7) do you notice a huge improvement in the remastered edition?
i haven't heard the first cd pressing of it ... so this is very non-applicable to me.

8) roughly how many different editions/formats of this album do you own?
only one ... the 2003 remastered release

9) think heggie brought something unique to this release?
his bass lines are mainly rhythmic ... providing a compliment/additional layer to the drum machine loops.

10) would you buy a 5.1 surround sound edition if it were available?
maybe.

btw, i still want the spangle maker to cover this album in its entirety for this year's cocteaufest =D

[Moya xx]

1) When did you first hear Garlands?

About five years ago. I'm still quite new to all things CT.

2) Was it before or after you had heard other Cocteau Twins material?

After. It was one of the last CT albums I purchased.

3) Out of 10 how would you rate the album? (10 being best)

8.

4) Do you think it's a respectable work, considering it's a first release?

Yes.

5) Do you think Garlands is similar or different to their other releases?

Different. It has a darker, moodier feel.

6) What do you think is the best track on the album?

"Shallow Then Halo".

7) Do you notice a huge improvement in the remastered edition?

I didn't have the "original" edition, so ...

8) Roughly how many different editions/formats of this album do you own?

Just the one.

9) Think Heggie brought something unique to this release?

Yes. I think any musician brings his / her own unique style to a piece of music.

10) Would you buy a 5.1 surround sound edition if it were available?

Possibly.

[gustav]

1) When did you first hear Garlands?
1998. I was 17.

2) Was it before or after you had heard other Cocteau Twins material?
After Treasure. It was my second Cocteau CD.

3) Out of 10 how would you rate the album? (10 being best)
9.

4) Do you think it's a respectable work, considering it's a first release?
Absolutely.

5) Do you think Garlands is similar or different to their other releases?
Completely different, and that's one of the thinks that makes it so special. No one, not even CT, made an album that sounds like that ever.

6) What do you think is the best track on the album?
Don't know, maybe "But I'm not", "Blind dumb deaf", or "Garlands".

7) Do you notice a huge improvement in the remastered edition?
Never heard it, I'm not interested.

8) Roughly how many different editions/formats of this album do you own?
CD edition (I think it's british) with 6 bonus tracks.

9) Think Heggie brought something unique to this release?
Probably. Never heard anything else by him, though.

10) Would you buy a 5.1 surround sound edition if it were available?
NO. I love the old post-punk sound, it doesn't need any improvement of any kind.




I'm a big big big fan of Garlands. I never get tired of it. It's a nocturnal, magical album that siuts my post-goth little heart very well.