Guardian Readers' panel: Cocteau Twins

[northernlight]

Here is a wee article posted on the Guardian website yesterday:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/musi...ins?CMP=twt_gu

Some of the folk on this forum might wish to offer their own contributions to this article, perhaps?

There seems to be a bit of discussion about this Twitter too.

I quite like the idea of an 'entry-level' process for any band where they have lots of albums. It can sometimes be quite bewildering for anyone new to a band - and a fan saying 'well, just buy everything!' isn't exactly helpful.

I think that I would simply suggest that someone buys Stars and Topsoil first - and then, if suitably inspired, buy other albums over a period of time.

[postlibyan]

in a sense, isn't a "Best Of" compilation like _Stars and Topsoil_ designed to be an entrypoint into a group's catalog? it certainly isn't compiled for the fans, who have all the records anyway.

PJK

[randomrob]

I always thought Treasure was a good baseline for their overall sound, a good introduction..

it's at turns loud and chaotic, but also sensual and moody.

[bearclaw]

this is my contribution originally posted on these very forums


twinlight

4 May 2012 5:20PM

If I was to make my decision about best / fav album based purely on how much I listen to the album in question. It would definitely be Garlands. There's just something wonderfully spirited & yes to degree naive about that album.
But for me it is an astonishing piece of work, when folks talk about "goth" albums they are usually referring to pantomime nonsense that frankly if your still listening to after age of 16 you should just take yourself into the woods and end it all!
But for me Garlands is a truly gothic album dense and paranoiac in its vision with the repetitive motifs carried via hedgie's gruelingly raw bass lines and Guthrie's submerged wailing guitars underpinned by almost industrial drum [machine] punctuating rhythms.
This sonic template, although admittedly narrow and focused in a singular direction enables Elizabeth's devastatingly haunting vocals to inhabit a space of the darkest of nightmares and a childhood lost to world where language is overtaken by wordless thoughtforms of fear of being understood & therefore made flesh.
Garlands for me is the starting point of a journey that saw Cocteau's explore the possibilities of the infinite language of music & expressionism. So no it's not a perfect album, it is one that if it had been several tracks longer would have maybe been diluted in his impact & power.
But for me Garlands is truly a unique album, illustrating a band attempting to express something genuine, honest & with a brutal sense of beauty that keeps calling me back time & time & time again.
Cocteau's went on as we know to produce even more superior works than Garlands & truth be told it not my favourite Cocteau Twins album that honour goes to Head over heels.
So why mention it here when its not the album I voted for, for one simple reason, the reason why Head over heels is my favourite Cocteau Twins album is because of the work of flawed brilliant genius that came before it, because for me if Cocteau's had called it a day after Hedgie left we would have had a brilliant debut album to cherish. But the fact that they went on to consistently build [& some may argue improve] upon their previous works is a feat unsurpassed by ANY other group. & For me Head over Heels is where Cocteau's became the band I would adore until the day I die but it would never have happened had they not recorded the utterly wonderful Garlands first.

So go ahead my fellow obsessives state your case for this is mine small and foolish it may be but it is all mine.

[fredofla]

personally, i think the two volume "Lullabies To Violaine" release has the most to offer in regard to an excellent Cocteau Twins overview.

especially in its favor are some often excluded and brilliantly realized B-Sides.

[edward]

I think Treasure is kind of not that great. I think The Pink Opaque is the best intro, and I find that the youngsters I introduce to CT like that alot, and HOLV. Treasure, for some reason, has become their most famous record, but when the kids hear millimillinary and pearl dewdrops' drops and wax and wane(POremix), they become hooked. The Pink Opaque
seems to contain all the qualities that capture the imagination.

[Dpressed]

Well The Pink Opaque was a compilation designed to introduce CT to the US market.

[randomrob]

Originally Posted by edward

I think Treasure is kind of not that great. I think The Pink Opaque is the best intro, and I find that the youngsters I introduce to CT like that alot, and HOLV. Treasure, for some reason, has become their most famous record, but when the kids hear millimillinary and pearl dewdrops' drops and wax and wane(POremix), they become hooked. The Pink Opaque
seems to contain all the qualities that capture the imagination.

that's the first album I bought.

But I haven't met anyone who didn't like Ivo on their first listen.
Or Lorelei (well, except me)

[edward]

Originally Posted by Dpressed

Well The Pink Opaque was a compilation designed to introduce CT to the US market.

Well. That explains it.

[bearclaw]

Originally Posted by edward

I think Treasure is kind of not that great. I think The Pink Opaque is the best intro, and I find that the youngsters I introduce to CT like that alot, and HOLV. Treasure, for some reason, has become their most famous record, but when the kids hear millimillinary and pearl dewdrops' drops and wax and wane(POremix), they become hooked. The Pink Opaque
seems to contain all the qualities that capture the imagination.

funny you should say that edward about treasure i had only really "got" the true brilliance of treasure when i listened to it on vinyl. for me the album seemed to come alive on vinyl where as on cd it felt muted - cant explain it really just seems to make sense on record especially pandora which leaves me in tears every time - if i had to choose one cocteau twins track for elizabeth to sing at her shows it would be pandora - *fingers crossed*

[edward]

I have a few copies on CD but my main impression of Treasure formed back in the day, with cassette tape.