I'm a sucker for Cocteau Twins! I find it satisfying. Don't try to understand the lyrics lol! There are many songs I've yet to hear, but here are some examples, some of my personal favourites:

 

Fotzepolitic:

 

Can't argue with the beauty of Cocteau Twins but they were never Shoegaze.

 

If you had to force them into a box then dream pop would be better alongside the likes of A.R. Kane.

 

Although dream-pop did directly lead into shoegaze.

Nope, not Shoegaze, and not Goth either... Although, they have been beloved by Goths and Floppy-Fringed Indie kids alike..... I would say that even Dream Pop is a rather inadequate term for them... I honestly dont think you even CAN categorize a band like Cocteau Twins, they really are just a wonderfully unique and wonderful one of a kind... True originals, and utterly inspirational....

 

Interestingly Robin Guthrie actually worked with Indie/Shoegaze band Lush, producing quite a bit of their early material.... And, er, funnily enough, it DOES have a Cocteus-ish quality about it.... Lush first album "Spooky" especially.....

 

Mattias if you like Cocteaus, you should check out the following ABSOLUTELY......

 

Lush, Chapterhouse (first album especially), The Chameleons, Slowdive, Galaxie 500, Ride (early EPs and first album), My Bloody Valentine, Seefeel... Lots of bands who are around now almost certainly use elements of the Cocteaus sound, Atmospheric-Goth Rock band The Eden House are really good...

Have to say that although The Cocteaus weren't Goth, Garlands is pretty damn Gothy to be honest. Obviously influenced by The Banshees then.

 

 

One of Britain's finest ever bands - too many classics to mention just a few.

 

And even their album covers were the best I've ever seen.

 

Incredible.

Thanks for the list GRIMLY FIENDISH, it's much appreciated! Listening to Chapterhouse "Breather" on YouTube now. Impressive!

Robin Guthrie is still out there making fantastic music - he's released an album this year, which is excellent.

 

Elizabeth Fraser has had her first solo album ("very 'Mezzanine" apparently) recorded for over 2 years... when it'll see release is anyone's guess, though.

 

I'm loving the Japanese re-issues of the Cocteaus albums - the 'mini LP sleeve CD' releases - they're beautifully reproduced mini-versions of the vinyls, down to the labels and inner sleeves - there's never been a band with as beautiful artwork as the Cocteaus, so these really are something to treasure (no pun intended..ahem).

 

Favourite CT album? Has to be 'Treasure' closely followed by the sublime 'Heaven or Las Vegas'.... they went off the boil for the last 2 albums, though - Milk and Kisses' and 'Four Calendar Cafe' were definitely below-par for them.

Robin Guthrie is still out there making fantastic music - he's released an album this year, which is excellent.

 

Elizabeth Fraser has had her first solo album ("very 'Mezzanine" apparently) recorded for over 2 years... when it'll see release is anyone's guess, though.

 

I'm loving the Japanese re-issues of the Cocteaus albums - the 'mini LP sleeve CD' releases - they're beautifully reproduced mini-versions of the vinyls, down to the labels and inner sleeves - there's never been a band with as beautiful artwork as the Cocteaus, so these really are something to treasure (no pun intended..ahem).

 

Favourite CT album? Has to be 'Treasure' closely followed by the sublime 'Heaven or Las Vegas'.... they went off the boil for the last 2 albums, though - Milk and Kisses' and 'Four Calendar Cafe' were definitely below-par for them.

 

Yeah, they were, but that was when they shifted from 4AD to a major label wasn't it....? So, little wonder really.. I'll never understand why they left 4AD tbh, they really helped define that label in so many ways... Along with Pixies and Throwing Muses of course....

 

Agree on the artwork front as well... But also, generally, I'd say that 4AD album artwork was absolutely fantastic... Those rather legendary Pixies album covers for Surfer Rosa, Doo Little, Come on Pilgrim and Bossanova were faves of mine as well.... Throwing Muses also had some very nice artwork....

While I was never a big big fan of Milk and Kisses, I really liked Four Calendar Cafe.

 

My brother-in-law was never a big Cocteaus fan but he absolutely loved Milk and Kisses so it obviously appealed to a different group of people.

While I was never a big big fan of Milk and Kisses, I really liked Four Calendar Cafe.

 

My brother-in-law was never a big Cocteaus fan but he absolutely loved Milk and Kisses so it obviously appealed to a different group of people.

 

Yeah, people who weren't Cocteaus fans.... :lol:

 

Well, I'd say that they certainly had more success while on 4AD tbh mate.... the "Heaven or Las Vegas" era was definitely their peak moment.... And creatively, it was really that trio of albums "Treasure", "Blue Bell Knoll" and "Heaven Or Las Vegas" that they peaked, IMO... "Victorialand" was also bloody ace....

It's great that 4AD's sterling design work is still held in high esteem - there's never been a company before or since who capture the element of fantastic graphic design and the beauty of the music within so well.

 

You're right, too, Scott, those Pixies album covers, IMO, were all better than the actual albums :P (go on, kill me... never understood the appeal of the Pixies bar a few of their singles)... I bought them for the sleeves alone!

 

4AD released some limited edition postcards and a3-size posters in the 80s - have you seen the prices these achieve on eBay?! :o

 

I think a thread celebrating their stunning work is called for.... but I don't have time right now...anyone? ;)

Yeah, people who weren't Cocteaus fans.... :lol:

 

Well, I'd say that they certainly had more success while on 4AD tbh mate.... the "Heaven or Las Vegas" era was definitely their peak moment.... And creatively, it was really that trio of albums "Treasure", "Blue Bell Knoll" and "Heaven Or Las Vegas" that they peaked, IMO... "Victorialand" was also bloody ace....

 

Oh I'm not disagreeing that the material they released while on 4AD was some of the best music period in the last 30 years or so.

 

And I would probably go for Treasure as my own favourite.

 

I'm just jealous of my other half who bought the first 7 or 8 EPs for something like a fiver from a second hand record shop back in the late 80s!

Still it does mean I can play them :D

Edited October 17, 200915 yr by grebo69

You're right, too, Scott, those Pixies album covers, IMO, were all better than the actual albums :P (go on, kill me... never understood the appeal of the Pixies bar a few of their singles)...

 

I'm saying nothing.... I shall just internally fume, re-centre myself, and leave you to ponder your shocking statement...... :P

 

I'm saying nothing.... I shall just internally fume, re-centre myself, and leave you to ponder your shocking statement...... :P

 

Christ, that's a first :D :P

 

Worth listening out for are the remastered Cocteaus albums, by the way - Treasure in particular sounds even more majestic and incredible. Guthrie was at the helm of the remastering, so they're pretty much exactly as they should be.

So far, I only really know "Treasure" and "Heaven or Las Vegas". Both are wonderful.

 

I must take a listen to all the other ones...

Wow, here's coincidence. I just stuck Heaven or Las Vegas on this morning...not been on BJ for about a week and here's a Cocteau's thread :)

I like this band! :)

Music, artwork, music videos, everything is brilliant!

 

My fave albums are Heaven or Las Vegas, Four Calendar Cafe, Treasure, Blue Bell Knoll.

HOLV is perfect, they couldn't make it any better (except a bit longer).

 

PS

1. "Continental", the second solo album of Robin Guthrie, is as good as CT albums IMO (even without vocals).

2. Any plans for a reunion?