A band I've always meant to get around to checking out.

The samples I've heard kind of reminded of early to mid-period Cure. Lot of drum machines, flanged out guitars, and lush vocals.

Any recommendations on albums?

Well a very key thing is that 80% of the time they made up their own fakey words, or more often, syllables that didn't quite constitute words.

But damned pretty.

File under "Generic 4AD shit".

file under "Vince found suffocated by shitty shop towel"

credited by some as birthing the shoegaze mov't

This is my favorite Cocteau song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sr6LycuPWJY

I don't like them, but I'd hardly call them "generic".

Heh. Same tune but to the Labyrinth ballroom scene:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cf4CHF0f8hk

seductive, emotional, beautiful music. mostly mellow, with a little tension thrown in for good measure.

the following are essential:

Blue Bell Knoll (1988)
Heaven or Las Vegas (1990)
Four-Calendar Café (1993)

I haven't listened to them much lately, but I'm a fan. They started with a shrill, almost Siouxsie-like, gothic sound on their first record Garlands. Beginning with Head Over Heels, they started getting dreamier...and their sound didn't change a whole lot since that record. The dream pop thing is always there, along with Liz's mostly indecipherable vocals, and yes, lots of flangy guitars and delays. They never used a real drummer either. The only change is that they seemed to get slicker with each subsequent release. I tend to recommend Blue Bell Knoll as a starting point if you have any real interest in them. If you dislike what you hear on that record, you probably won't like much else they've done. Their most Cure-ish release is probably Head Over Heels.

As far as Billz' "generic 4AD" comment, I don't know very many artists that sound like them. I guess Lush?

They rate up there as one of my all time favorites for a number of reasons. At the time of peak late 80's- early 90's they really put out amazing work, that no one really duplicated with any efficiency. For just a three piece, they have amazing depth to the sonic vibe of their sound. I was lucky enough to see them twice on their Heaven or Las Vegas tour, and both shows still rank among the top 5 best concerts I have ever attended. Take a peak at the HoLV cover, and imagine that image as their lightshow duplicated perfectly for 90 minutes and you have pure bliss.



At first, a lot of their stuff can sound the same, but you really need to pay attention to the dynamics of each record. I agree with those above that Blue Bell Knoll, or Heaven or Las Vegas are probably the best places to start. Afterward, and you feel like taking a musical journey, try Victorialand. Lush, slow, and mezmerizing. It will either put you fast asleep, or give you a buzz.

If you like what you hear on the proper Cocteau Twins releases, you can dig further to grab the one-off side project with Harold Budd, called, The Moon and the Melodies, and then they also did a couple songs for This Mortal Coil.

One of the most important bands of the last thirty years, for sure.

Start with Heaven or Las Vegas, work backwards.

Thanks people.

I'll sniff around the internets and see if I can't find a good deal on these:

Heaven or Las Vegas
Blue Bell Knoll

so im guessing this board thinks Treasure is overrated

I love it. I'm actually most fond of their mid-80's EP's.

Amazon has it for $0.67 used, in "Like New" condition.

I love them so much.
Four Calendar Cafe is their big "hit" as many people say.
I'd actually be interested in Dead Can Dance, a side project.

I'd say they're a big predecessor to Sigur Ros, actually, if you think about it.
I've listened to them constantly since I was like 16

awesome make out music.

Treasure's my favorite, actually, as much out of notalgic memory associations as anything else though.

Very typical 4AD sound, but I think they were the best of the label outside This Mortal Coil.

Some of their later albums had lyrics, but their earlier stuff doesn't. Liz Frasier pretty much just laces phenomes through the ambient guitar.

Don't bother if you don't like both Sigur Ros and Lush.

Derris it has always been my understanding that o really get this band you can't just hold it in your mouth until the swelling goes down - you have to suck on it.

Good luck with the bug.

Oh look, Captain "I only communicate via Facebook" has something to say.

STOP FAILING.

FYI. I ordered "Heaven of Las Vegas" on Amazon for $3.

I used to own that. Your ears will be getting a sympathy card in the mail from me shortly.

that's the Boz Scaggs fronted lineup of the late 60's which is surprisingly good psychedelic rock. Early SMB is pretty damn good. McCartney and Nicky Hopkins play on the third album. I haven't quite figured out when they jumped the shark. I've been afraid to go past the first three but there's a few more albums before you get to any of the GH material.

Don't do much for me. I listen to Slowdive and Galaxie 500 for my "seductive, emotional, beautiful music" fix.