[You could be in my space]

I have strong affinities to many Scottish groups, but one has been at the forefront.

The Cocteau Twins have been so important to me throughout my life.

I've seen them mentioned in threads here, but have no threads dedicated to themselves. I thought it was about time!

Words to describe their music?

Ethereal, magical, soothing, calming, joyous, angelic, there's too many.

Whenever I'm feeling down, they are one of the few bands that can lift me.

Elizabeth Fraser has just an angelic voice and Robin Guthrie's guitar effects, just leave me washed away with magic.

It's the most perfect combination of guitar and electronics I have heard.

The fact the no one ever knew what Elizabeth Fraser was singing about tended to add to the mystery. Those sounds she made, were almost childlike at times. I've heard their music being described as 'womblike' also, but maybe that was from a music journo who was completely 'lost in music' at the time, hehe!

I'd love to bring my children up listening to them (if I ever have any!). It would bring some beauty in.

It's music to dream to, to dream about. It reminds me of things and points in my life.

During 'special' moments my last ex-girlfriend (my most recent gf, was never really mine) and I would play 'The Spangle Maker' (the way it pulses and twists for so long, then explodes into a huge array of beautiful sound at the end) and 'Those Eyes, That Mouth', which is endless harmonic beauty.

I suppose then their music has the ability to make me sad and reflective. What makes it worse is that my ex-girlfriend was also Scottish. We were a 'Celtic' duo in many ways. One Irish, one Scottish, from different backgrounds.

(And no, for anyone out there who knows about Scottish football, I'm neither a Celtic nor a Rangers supporter! Me and her both supported the same team!)

I cannot now listen to the Cocteau Twins, but think of her. Those thoughts will never leave me, but at least they don't trip me up. I have moved on. (It's just like with all of us, some music will bring things back somewhat). It's more a feeling of sadness that we lost what we once had.

I've been listening to the new box set 'Lullabies to Violaine', and Charissa, wait till you hear the 2nd CD! Just amazing, simply breathtaking, from start to finish. Even the outside of the box is sensual, it's got a suede/velvet touch (which thankfully is protected by an outer layer of packaging!).

I hope you do get it for Christmas, it will be lovely to listen to over the holiday season. The perfect 'present'!

My favourite album?

Heaven or Las Vegas, with 'Blue Bell Knoll' a very close second, almost tieing at times!

As for all of you, any views on the Cocteau Twins?

[Shred]

Great band! One of my all-time faves. I discovered them in 1985 after walking into Rocks in Your Head record store on Prince St. in NYC. The guy behind the counter was playing Treasure.

I've seen them live twice, once for HOLV and the other time for FCC.

My son was born a week ago and the first CD to grace his crib CD player was Victorialand. :)

[You could be in my space]

Shred, on Nov 28 2005, 06:33 PM, said:

My son was born a week ago and the first CD to grace his crib CD player was Victorialand. :)

Aww, that's absolutely amazing.

He really is a lucky child!

It's such a soft, gentle album. Perfect for a newborn.

That's made my day :)

[miyl444]

Ahhhhh CT, man that band was a huge part of my senior year of high school and all through college. They (along w/ Dead Can Dance) were the best to listen to especially when the end of the semester approached and final projects were due.
I now play them on rainy weekends when I'm hungover b/c they def bring me to a happier place.

Not a big fan of 'Heaven or Las Vegas' but I wore out the 'Blue Bell Knoll' vinyl. :lol:

Shred that's great about 'Victorialand' and your little one!!!!

And I'd have to say that 'Spanglemaker' is probably my fave song...

[nakawhi]

How funny to find this - I happen to be listening to Pink Orange Red right now! What's also funny is that I was spurred to search for -and find- an mp3 of Primitive Painters over the weekend; a Felt tune that Elizabeth guested on. The Pink Opaque was the first tape purchased way back when after hearing Pearly Dew Drops Drop. Thankfully it was one of the first on my list to upgrade to CD before it went out of print. Just timeless, classic, original, beautiful music. A truly amazing band with a phenomenal lead voice.... I can't say enough about them.

This post has been edited by nakawhi: 28 November 2005 - 03:09 PM

[undernycfog]

I made a thread about them on the old board.

I was introduced to the Cocteau Twins by a musician friend, of mine, as one of their song titles contains my name. The first album I bought was, of course, 'Treasure', and I was immediately blown away. Liz's voice truly is out of this world.

[nakawhi]

You could be in my space, on Nov 28 2005, 12:13 PM, said:

(I've been listening to the new box set 'Lullabies to Violaine', and Charissa, wait till you hear the 2nd CD! Just amazing, simply breathtaking, from start to finish. Even the outside of the box is sensual, it's got a suede/velvet touch (which thankfully is protected by an outer layer of packaging!).

'lo again; Just got home from class and was wondering if you could give a run down of the tracks on the new box set? Didn't find one through the cocteautwins.com link that ultimately took me to Amazon.com (US). Already have the first box set and additional CDs; wondering if I'll need to grab this one.

..be back tomorrow.

Thanks!
na

[stella diver x]

I feel I have gone off about them on numerous occasions. Yes, they are one of my favorites. I don't know if I can list a favorite album, but my favorite song is Mizake The Mizan. That has to be one of the loveliest moments in female vocal ability in the history of mankind.

I guess if I had to choose it would be between Treasure and Blue Bell Knoll as far as albums. But, still, I just love everything about them. The swirling guitars,the psychadelic melodies, and angelic voices.

I don't have much to worry about as far as collecting the albums myself. My sister, Renee, who is also a musician/vocalist, has every single thing they have ever released, and just makes copies for me. I guess all those hours of subjecting her to them when we were younger has paid off quite nicely. ^_^

[Cragster]

The BBC sessions is a good guide to the music of the Cocteau's. 'Pearly- Dewdrops Drop' is my fave. The US has Mazzy Star (also superb) and we have the Cocteau's. Robin Guthrie is playing a solo show in December. I wonder if he'll play any songs in the absence of Liz? They probably supported Falkirk as they're from Grangemouth!

[You could be in my space]

nakawhi, on Nov 29 2005, 02:54 AM, said:

'lo again; Just got home from class and was wondering if you could give a run down of the tracks on the new box set? Didn't find one through the cocteautwins.com link that ultimately took me to Amazon.com (US). Already have the first box set and additional CDs; wondering if I'll need to grab this one.

..be back tomorrow.

Thanks!
na

No problem! ;) With the EP's that they come from in brackets.

They are remastered too, which is another good thing!

(Disc 2 is just amazing!)

Disc: 1
1. Feathers-Oar-Blades (Lullabies 1982)
2. Alas Dies Laughing (Lullabies 1982)
3. It's All But An Ark Lark (Lullabies 1982)
4. Peppermint Pig (7-Inch Version) (Peppermint Pig 1983)
5. Laughlines (Lullabies 1982)
6. Hazel (Lullabies 1982)
7. Sugar Hiccup (12-Inch Version) (Sunburst And Snowblind 1983)
8. From The Flagstones (Sunburst And Snowblind 1983)
9. Hitherto (Sunburst And Snowblind 1983)
10. Because Of Whirl-Jack (Sunburst And Snowblind 1983)
11. The Spangle Maker (The Spangle Maker 1984)
12. Pearly-Dewdrops’ Drops (Alternate Version) (The Spangle Maker 1984)
13. Pepper-Tree (The Spangle Maker 1984)
14. Aikea-Guinea (Alternate Version) (Aikea-guinea 1985)
15. Kookaburra (Aikea-guinea 1985)
16. Quisquose (Aikea-guinea 1985)
17. Rococo (Aikea-guinea 1985)

Disc: 2
1. Pink Orange Red (Tiny Dynamine 1985)
2. Ribbed And Veined (Tiny Dynamine 1985)
3. Plain Tiger(Tiny Dynamine 1985)
4. Sultitan Itan (Tiny Dynamine 1985)
5. Great Spangled Fritillary (Echoes In A Shallow Bay 1985)
6. Melonella (Echoes In A Shallow Bay 1985)
7. Pale Clouded White (Echoes In A Shallow Bay 1985)
8. Eggs And Their Shells (Echoes In A Shallow Bay 1985)
9. Love’s Easy Tears (Love’s Easy Tears 1986)
10. Those Eyes, That Mouth (Love’s Easy Tears 1986)
11. Sigh’s Smell Of Farewell (Love’s Easy Tears 1986)
12. Orange Appled (Love’s Easy Tears 1986)
13. Iceblink Luck (Iceblink Luck 1990)
14. Mizake The Mizan (Iceblink Luck 1990)
15. Watchlar (Iceblink Luck 1990)

Disc: 3
1. Evangeline (Evangeline 1993)
2. Mud And Dark (Evangeline 1993)
3. Summer-Blink (Evangeline 1993)
4. Winter Wonderland (Snow 1993)
5. Frosty The Snowman (Snow 1993)
6. Bluebeard (Bluebeard 1993)
7. Three-Swept (Bluebeard 1993)
8. Ice-Pulse (Bluebeard 1993)
9. Bluebeard (Acoustic Version) (Bluebeard 1993)
10. (Twinlights 1994)
11. Rilkean Heart (Acoustic Version) (Twinlights 1994)
12. Golden-Vein (Acoustic Version) (Twinlights 1994)
13. Pink Orange Red (Acoustic Version) (Twinlights 1994)
14. Half-Gifts (Acoustic Version) (Twinlights 1994)

Disc: 4
1. Feet-Like Fins (Otherness - Mark Clifford Remixes 1995)
2. Seekers Who Are Lovers (Otherness - Mark Clifford Remixes 1995)
3. Violaine (Otherness - Mark Clifford Remixes 1995)
4. Cherry-Coloured Funk (Otherness - Mark Clifford Remixes 1995)
5. Tishbite (Tishbite 1995)
6. Primitive Heart (Tishbite 1995)
7. Flock Of Soul (Tishbite 1995)
8. Round (Tishbite 1995)
9. An Elan (Tishbite 1995)
10. Violaine (Violaine 1996)
11. Smile (Violaine 1996)
12. Tranquil Eye (Violaine 1996)
13. Circling Girl (Violaine 1996)
14. Alice (Violaine 1996)

And you are very welcome, Na!

I find it amazing that the release date has been pushed back to February 21st in the US.

It was released on time, on November 21st (being the original release date), here in the UK and Ireland!

You poor things!

Oh well, all good things come to those who wait!

(Otherwise, if you can't wait, just order it from the UK! ;) )

[nakawhi]

Thanks so much! I'm thinking this may just have to become mine. An acoustic version of Pink Orange Red may alone be worth the price of the set! You know, it wasn't until after I wrote the first time that I found that the Pink Opaque is only out of print here in the States, not overseas. Had to burn a copy of the CD for my sister who was going insane trying to find it; threw in Tiny Dyamine and a few from Blue Bell Knoll to save her further trouble. I, to this day, still thank God for Newbury Comics! (the only decent non-hole-in-the-wall US record store, IMHO - may only be in the Boston area?) For any music I've needed, if it couldn't be found anywhere else, it's been found there - at least for a serendipitous limited time!
na

[Veronica Dreadful]

Great group. They're very unique and timeless. Now if only I could figure out what the hell they are singing! ;)

[stella diver x]

You could be in my space, on Nov 29 2005, 03:44 AM, said:

Oh well, all good things come to those who wait!

(Otherwise, if you can't wait, just order it from the UK! ;) )

Or you could always play Santa to us poor Americans, upload and send! ;)
I'm pretty sure I won't have to wait past December 25th, patience is a virtue.

Veronica Dreadful, on Nov 29 2005, 08:07 AM, said:

Great group. They're very unique and timeless. Now if only I could figure out what the hell they are singing! ;)

Well, my friends and I were pretty convinced that in many a song, you can hear her singing about "Cherry cola".

One line I am certain about is " At times I've seen you from the banister, at times I've seen you from the flagstones".
There actually are quite a few clearly English words in many songs, just mixed in with fluffy nonsense.
Though it's not technically the Cocteau Twins, but the Mortal Coil comp. "Song To The Siren" is all clear English.

On the floating, shapeless oceans
I did all my best to smile
til your singing eyes and fingers
drew me loving into your eyes.

And you sang "Sail to me, sail to me;
Let me enfold you."

Here I am, here I am waiting to hold you.
Did I dream you dreamed about me?
Were you here when I was full sail?

Now my foolish boat is leaning, broken love lost on your rocks.
For you sang, "Touch me not, touch me not, come back tomorrow."
Oh my heart, oh my heart shies from the sorrow.
I'm as puzzled as a newborn child.
I'm as riddled as the tide.
Should I stand amid the breakers?
Or shall I lie with death my bride?

Hear me sing: "Swim to me, swim to me, let me enfold you."
"Here I am. Here I am, waiting to hold you."

:wub:

[Phil J.]

Blue Bell Knoll fucking rules, the rest is disposible.

[lonegroover99]

stella diver x, on Nov 29 2005, 10:48 AM, said:

Though it's not technically the Cocteau Twins, but the Mortal Coil comp. "Song To The Siren" is all clear English.

It wasn't written by This Mortal Coil,it's by the late Tim Buckley.I can highly recommend his original version.
More sparse with eerie backing vocals.It's a close call deciding which version is better.

[stella diver x]

lonegroover99, on Nov 29 2005, 03:01 PM, said:

It wasn't written by This Mortal Coil,it's by the late Tim Buckley.I can highly recommend his original version.
More sparse with eerie backing vocals.It's a close call deciding which version is better.

Oh, nice. I never knew that, though I am a fan of his sons work. I shall have to definitely check him out, been meaning to anyway.
I know Jeff Buckley and Liz did some work together, too. Great voices.

[stella diver x]

^^^ Blue Bell Knoll.
The song "Cecilia" is Swoon worthy all on it's own, but the entire album is on the same level with Treasure, in my opinion.

[lonegroover99]

Garlands is still my favourite,it just reminds me how different they were at the time.As Cragster says, the BBC sessions is the one to go for as a guide to their output over the years.
Once you're hooked you'll want them all of course!

[paco the taco]

"Lorelei" may actually be better than some songs on Loveless.

[stella diver x]

paco the taco, on Nov 29 2005, 08:13 PM, said:

"Lorelei" may actually be better than some songs on Loveless.

I LOVE that song, right on!
umm yeah!
Lorelei owns meeeee<3

*squeel*

La da la da la da la! :wub:

Honestly, there is no other band that comes close to them, always a class all their own.

[You could be in my space]

Laura Claudia, on Nov 29 2005, 09:39 PM, said:

I need a little advice.

I have 'Treasure' and adore it. But I am unsure which album to get next. What would you recommend?

I would take this advice here below!

stella diver x, on Nov 29 2005, 09:44 PM, said:

^^^ Blue Bell Knoll.
The song "Cecilia" is Swoon worthy all on it's own, but the entire album is on the same level with Treasure, in my opinion.

Yeah, Blue Bell Knoll is the one to go for next.

Trust us, it's amazing.

And if you do get it, come back to us with what you think, ok? ;)

[You could be in my space]

paco the taco, on Nov 30 2005, 02:13 AM, said:

"Lorelei" may actually be better than some songs on Loveless.

I've always preferred the Cocteau Twins to MBV. It's almost treason to say that to some people, hehe, but I can safely say, if I had to pick between the two then it would be the Cocteau's everytime. I'd take them with me anywhere. If I had to pick from any group, it would be them.

I know it seems a strange word to use, but I feel more 'coherence' and natural beauty in the Cocteau's songs. Sometimes the sounds in 'Loveless' get a little too overbearing for comfort, for me. Too 'complicated' at times.

But I'm not saying they aren't a good band. Far from it!

Plus, listen to the Cocteau's 'Rococo'! A little too 'sparse' to be like anything on MBV's 'Loveless', but certainly there's a trailblazing element there that MBV would have taken notice of.

But the following puts it succinctly, regarding the Cocteau's, for me, they are a higher beauty. They are on another cloud.

stella diver x, on Nov 30 2005, 02:34 AM, said:

Honestly, there is no other band that comes close to them, always a class all their own.

I don't think anyone else has ever sounded like the Cocteau's and no one ever will.

Some of my friends always like to dismiss certain 80's drum machines and drum box sounds. But when you hear them in the context that the Cocteau's used them, you couldn't imagine a much more beautiful sound. That element is somewhat missing in their later work. Those 80's machines left a gap that will never be able to be filled.

Even the guitars just sounded so raw and rich. Stretched out like a wire, they were 'thin' at times, yet full of elegance, and they shimmered.

Things are made differently now, sounds are often 'too' polished and over produced.

But at least the Cocteau's 'existed' because without them, the music world would be a less 'sparkling' place.

The Cocteau Twins will always remain a beauty, stranded in perfect time.

[interpolMOD1]

nakawhi, on Nov 29 2005, 09:03 AM, said:

Thanks so much! I'm thinking this may just have to become mine. An acoustic version of Pink Orange Red may alone be worth the price of the set! You know, it wasn't until after I wrote the first time that I found that the Pink Opaque is only out of print here in the States, not overseas. Had to burn a copy of the CD for my sister who was going insane trying to find it; threw in Tiny Dyamine and a few from Blue Bell Knoll to save her further trouble. I, to this day, still thank God for Newbury Comics! (the only decent non-hole-in-the-wall US record store, IMHO - may only be in the Boston area?) For any music I've needed, if it couldn't be found anywhere else, it's been found there - at least for a serendipitous limited time!
na

Newbury is the bomb. Otherwise, www.theidealcopy.com is pretty good, if not expensive: http://idealcopy.ame...=MUCocteauTwins
Also, there's http://www.othermusic.com/