Reviews (page 11 of 14)
obsessed w all the songs <3 lol cherry-coloured funk, pitch the baby, fifty-fifty clown have been in my rotation o:♡
I love all the songs on this album but I think Frou-Frou Foxes in Midsummer Fires is my favorite <3 I wasn't expecting to see so many 1 star reviews on this but I guess you have to be smart and hot to understand :/
Fuck Yes.
Not super offensive, but genuinely as dull as ditchwater. Yawn.
This was really good. It reminds me of Beach House if they were a 90s band.
This is a strange collection of songs that has words from an unknown language. At least that is what I came to understand. What a ridiculous way to communicate. Without lyrics the music is marginally bad.
Dream pop - quite appropriate as listening to this made me want to sleep. Not unpleasant, but didn't grab my attention.
Too calm. Not bad but I wouldn’t listen to it again.
Never listened to this before and Cocteau Twins have never featured as a favourite of mine. No doubt that Elizabeth Fraser is a great vocalist but I prefer audible lyrics rather than mouth music which makes up the most of this album. I don’t think this album has aged well and is stuck in the early 90’s although at times it reminded me more of 80’s synth pop. That said it has a distinctive style but this is due to Fraser’s singing style rather than the music. A mid rated 2.5 but falls wrong side of a likeable album for me therefore a 2.
5/10
Dreamy, poppy, vibes.
These lyrics are supposed to be their MOST intelligible yet?
Call me a mumble pop fan (I hope the title track is never not stuck in my head)
Mac Demarco for people in 1990
Très planant, le genre de musique relax pas plate du tout, pas comme Pink Moon par Nick Drake EDIT DU FUTUR: C'EST BEAUCOUP PLUS RICHE ET DÉVELOPPÉ QU'IL N'Y PARAÎT À LA PREMIÈRE ÉCOUTE, PAS COMME PINK MOON PAR NICK DRAKE
Pretty good stuff, it feels like the last hurrah of the 80's just before the wave of the 90's hit
So ahead of their time
Meh
Schwer für mich, wie ich dieses Album einzuschätzen habe. Es ist irgendwie langweilig und doch schön. Es ist gradlinig, kaum Aufregungen, aber die Stimme hat etwas. Ich glaube, es hängt von der Tageform der Ohren ab. Es kann ein wunderschöner Tag sein oder es ist eifach nur nichtssagend und langweilig.
Liked the vibe - didn't understand the lyrics well.
Not very melodic
It’s ok. Chill music
Meh. If it was on in the background of a store I wouldn't leave, but otherwise I wouldn’t seek it out again.
Boring. Felt like white noise.
Sooo so good. One of my top 10s.
This was a fun listen to drive home to. Some songs were very sound alike to tracks from other albums. And I can't say I'd jump to put this on outside special listening situations. And for that, 4 stars.
Listened 3/1/24. First time hearing this. I can hear the appeal. Lots of cool sonic elements. Not really my cup of tea, but I appreciate the artistry.
Not my cup of tea
I really wanted to love this!
Texture muaic
💤💤💤
Very samey. There isn't any definition here. It's also very 1990 sounding which has not aged well at all. Also, didn't understand one word of it.
Solid choice to listen to when walking around Twin Peaks
liked this one a lot! very dreamy and layered. top 3: cherry-coloured funk, frou-frou foxes in midsummer fires, pitch the baby honorable mention: heaven or las vegas
Very cool, ethereal vibes. Thoroughly enjoyed
Landmark album. Amazing textures, ahead of its time. Very fun, deep listen
Decent background music to do homework, make out, or read a book by if you’re a cooler than thou 90’s goth. I remembered one song. I know lots of my friends had this album but it wasn’t for me. I do like This Mortal Coil tho …
sick af
This doesn't really do anything for me. Too fluffy and flighty. I respect the effort to try and do something new and different back in the 90s. I might have even had a cassette tape off one of their albums. I liked the songs on it more than this one.
Love it as always!
Not earth. That voice. Love this album. Language on the edge of a nervous breakdown becomes fully an instrument in its own right without having to have meaning encapsulated in words. Music can have intent and meaning outside of language.
Nice
Nice sound
It was really good. But not special in any way. Still fun to listen to.
Meh.
Ethereal, vibey, beach housey but less depressing
Great album, ethereal chill sounds
cute og chill :))))
Kind of a good blend between 80s and 90s. It’s like 80s synth pop meets 90s shoegaze. It makes for really easy listening and enjoyable music.
That was good! It reminded me of indie pop and synth pop. I can see where Lucius gets a lot of their inspiration. There were some cool psych elements as well. Not sure if I'll revisit, but I enjoyed it!
dream pop royalty.
Too dreamy and a bit annoying
dont know what to listen to? putting this shit on
Pretty solid - 7/10
The Scottish accent is something else, I couldn't understand any of the lyrics. This album has a very distinct sound which is great, but listening to all the songs back to back was a bit much for me, like eating a lot of pickles at once. I really like the album cover, fits the vibes. Edit -- One of the most unique albums I've listened to, there are a couple songs that I didn't like but overall really good, changing rating to a 5.
so. fucking. good.
Okay, not amazing. Not very novel imo. 6/10
9.5/10 - Loved this album. The chill vibe was fantastic. This felt similar to Emperor Tomato Ketchup where I can see how this turned into the music I listen to in my free time. Frou-frou Foxes in Midsummer is just absolutely amazing. I loved it from the first song all the way through.
I enjoyed it, was expecting it to be pretty good with how much hype it was getting from everyone 9/10
Shoegaze bible 10/10
dreampop at its finest. this album is so /cinematic/. the layers r so gooooood and there's so much emotion put into this. love love love
I'm afraid that I never particularly cared for the Cocteau Twins' music, even at the time of original release. I have revisited their albums periodically over the years but I still find their music a bit over-produced and excessively dreamy for my taste. This album is no exception. After listening to it three times, I don't see any stand-out tracks (or, to be fair, any absolute dogs). Inoffensive. 3/5
3.5/5
Solid album all the way through
I don't think this is English. I like lyrics too much.
super interesting to listen to - elevated and unique synth pop sound
Not my favourite but was OK for background music. A bit samey.
What a beautiful, ethereal album. It strikes a wonderful balance of happiness and melancholy that can either let you get in your feelings or pull you up out of them. The fact that the lyrics are indecipherable also allows the listener to take away whatever they need from the music.
I love the dreamy trance vibe. One of my favourite songs on this album is iceblink luck, I did quite enjoy listening to this album, very nostalgic 80/90s vibes, makes you feel like you're living in a movie
This is a band that I’ve heard of but never intentionally listened to. This was perfect to have on at work. I actually listened two times. I can definitely see how they originated dream pop.
Dreamy, airy. I liked it but didn't love it. Would listen again. Hearing the words she is actually singing would be nice, but it adds to that dreamy sound.
Aaaah genieten dit. Echt een meesterlijk en tijdloos album. Hier zit pure magie tussen. Sowieso zijn Heaven or Las Vegas en Cherry-Colored Funk fantastisch. Maar wat kan ik ook genieten van Iceblink Luck en Pitch the Baby. De vocalen zijn uniek, betoverend en meeslepend. Het gitaarwerk dromerig maar het kickt hard in. Een ware bakermat voor shoegaze en dreampop. Highlight: Fotzepolitic. Dit nummer is zo magisch lekker. Je zweeft echt weg met dit nummer. De tekst is aardig mysterieus, begrijp absoluut niet waar het over gaat. Maar dat doet er allemaal niet toe. Luister en zweef mee. De laatste 30 seconden van dit nummer zorgt voor een heus oor-gasme. Rating: 10/10
Als je goed luistert, dan hoor je de geboorte van Beach House. Het is een beetje een cliché, toch moest het even genoemd worden. Maar ondanks dat Beach House overduidelijk inspiratie uit deze groep haalt, hebben ze het genre wel volledig een eigen draai gegeven. Cocteau Twins stonden wél vooraan de wieg van Beach House, en dit album is wellicht hun grootste bijdrage aan deze muziekstijl die we vandaag de dag veelal terug horen in de popwereld. Het markeert ook een kantelpunt in hun eigen carrière, waar de groep in de 80s een dromerige soundscape creëerde die veel voeten in de aarde had in goth/post-punk invloeden. Deze is wat luchtiger, en legt een accent op het tweede woord in het genre dreampop. In veel nummers voert 'hoop' de boventoon, terwijl we soms ook nog wel wat droefgeestigere muziekstukken voorgeschoteld krijgen. Ik denk dat het een fantastisch voorbeeld is van muziek die verschillende gevoelens onder een vergrootglas weet te leggen. Zit je in een goede mood dan zul je zweven van extase, zit je in zak en as, dan duik je waarschijnlijk met een broodrooster in bad. Bij wijze van spreken. Het is een unieke kwaliteit van dit genre, wat het een mystieke status geeft. In het hoopvolle spectrum vinden we bijvoorbeeld 'Iceblink Luck'. Een song die wijdverspreide aandacht trok voor de band die jaren in relatieve obscuriteit doorbracht. Het is ook één van de nummers waarin Elizabeth Fraser het best te verstaan is, en in combinatie met een The Cure-achtige basgitaar is het een prettig popnummertje. De andere single van het album is de titelsong, die instrumenteel wat meer de melancholie opzoekt, maar je door het super catchy refrein vooral met een opgetogen gevoel achterlaat. Waanzinnig nummer. Naast de enigszins poppie singles van de plaat, weten de goth roots van Cocteau Twins zich ook nog steeds stevig vast te grijpen in verschillende songs. De opener 'Cherry-coloured Funk' heeft een donkere ondertoon, die wat mij betreft echt samengaat als peanut butter and jelly met de zoetzure stem in het refrein. Waar ik soms mijn vraagtekens heb bij wat er allemaal met de nummers bedoeld wordt vanwege de cryptische vocalen van Fraser, moet haar stemgeluid vooral gezien worden als een extra instrument. Het vormt één geheel met de dikke lagen synths, drones en basgitaren, en wat ze zegt doet er eigenlijk niet toe. Weet jij nog woord voor woord wat er gezegd werd in jouw dromen? Ook de afsluiter 'Frou-frou Foxes in Midsummer Fires' voelt aan alsof het is opgenomen in een gotische kerk, en zet een kille sfeer neer. Tot de orgastische explosie in het refrein, die laat horen dat dit genre korte lijntjes heeft met shoegaze. Van alle memorabele trucjes die Fraser deed met haar stem op dit album, vind ik dit nummer het meest iconisch. De hoge, melancholische stem die subtiel omslaat in zwaarder en geruststellend stemgeluid, tot ze in het refrein samen te horen zijn. Voor mij vangt dit slotstuk alles waar het dreampop genre voor staat. Een delicate mix van stemmingen die er allemaal toe doen. De synthpop in 'I Wear Your Ring' verdient ook nog erkenning. Ik kende deze niet, maar hij ontpopte zich in de loop van het nummer tot één van de felst stralende diamanten van dit album. Het resultaat is een David Lynchiaans muziekstuk dat laat zien dat er niet perse een heldere songtekst nodig is om een verhaal over te brengen. De stem van Elizabeth Fraser is een cruciaal instrument, en doet de luisteraar er aan herinneren dat zang in zijn beginselen hetzelfde doet als een piano, een banjo, of een Moog synthesizer. Het speelt met de lucht om zich heen, of zoals ene T. Waits ooit zei ''Singing is just doing interesting things to the air. Elongating it and twisting it into shapes.'' En dat doet ze fenomenaal. Tussen 'Fotzepolitic' en 'Road, River and Rail' verdrinken nummers een beetje in de gelaagde golf aan bovenaardse geluiden, en verliezen ze mij ook even. Dan merk ik ook al snel dat haar stem juist een bron van irritatie wordt, en dat ze overtuigingskracht verliest als het niet perfect aansluit bij de rest van de instrumenten. Gelukkig is het merendeel van het album een meeslepende trip langs een wijd spectrum van rake emoties. 8/10 Highlights: Frou-frou Foxes in Midsummer Fires Heaven or Las Vegas I Wear Your Ring
Ik ben gewoon een sucker voor de dromige atfosmeer van de dreampop en shoegaze uit de jaren 90. De zang is -net als bij Slowdive- net zo onverstaanbaar als onweerstaanbaar maar drukt wel een hele grote stempel op de muziek. Soms lijkt het bijna Frans- of Spaanstalig. Dat het onverstaanbaar is deert mij niet. Het draagt juist bij aan het gevoel van een droom of dat de atmosfeer om je heen muziek uitstraalt. Wat dit album zo uniek is maakt zijn de poppy en catchy melodieën die over de atmosferische tonen worden ingezongen. Deze zanglijnen doen denken aan veel verschillende popartiesten. Cherry-coloured Funk lijkt te zijn ingezongen door Kate Bush, Iceblink Luck is ABBA onder een laag shoegaze. De zang van Heaven or Las Vegas doet mij denken aan Alannis Morissette. Isn't it Ironic? Heaven or Las Vegas is voor mij echt het hoogtepunt van het gevoel wat dreampop/shoegaze oproept. De soundscape geeft het gevoel alsof je drijft op wolken die geluid maken. Beter kan ik het niet omschrijven. 37 minuutjes drijven op de Cocteau Twins wolken is gewoon veels te kort. Ik doe dus nog een rondje! Highlights: Heaven or Las Vegas Iceblink Luck
Beautiful. Such an ethereal album. The songs do all sound the same given that it has such a celestial sound. Things start to blend if a different style isn't brought into the mix. That, however, is my only complaint. Everything else, production, writing, vocals, instrumentation, structure, lyrics, etc. 4/5
Exceptional vocals that haunt and inspire alongside a consistently developed bass that resonates the message of nostalgia and longing.
Rätt intressant.
first listen a lovely shoegaze record
It didn't exactly tickle my pickle but I still enjoyed listening to this.
n 1990, amidst the burgeoning alternative scene, Cocteau Twins unveiled Heaven or Las Vegas, their magnum opus and arguably the definitive dream pop album. It was a culmination of their sonic explorations, a celestial tapestry woven with ethereal vocals, shimmering guitars, and innovative production. Exploring themes of love, escapism, and spiritual yearning, the album transcended genre limitations, leaving an indelible mark on music history. This review delves into the intricate layers of "Heaven or Las Vegas," examining its lyrical poetics, musical grandeur, production mastery, thematic depths, and lasting influence, while acknowledging its potential shortcomings. Lyrics: Elusive Poetry or Frustrating Ambiguity? Elizabeth Fraser's vocals are the album's focal point. While not adhering to conventional language, her soaring melodies and melismatic phrases create an evocative soundscape. Phrases like "cherry-coloured funk" and "frou frou foxes" paint vivid sonic pictures, leaving open interpretations to individual listeners. Some find this approach mystical and beautiful, while others perceive it as frustratingly abstract. "Bluebeard" hints at a narrative, drawing inspiration from the fairy tale, but remains intentionally elusive. Despite their ambiguity, the vocals conjure powerful emotions, whether it's the blissful longing in "Heaven or Las Vegas" or the simmering tension in "Iceblink Luck." Music: Where Guitars Dream and Basslines Pulse Robin Guthrie's guitar work is integral to the album's atmosphere. He creates shimmering textures, utilizing effects pedals and unconventional tunings to evoke a sense of ethereal beauty. Tracks like "Cherry-Coloured Funk" and "Heaven or Las Vegas" showcase his ability to build sonic crescendos with cascading melodies and shimmering arpeggios. Simon Raymonde's basslines provide a powerful undercurrent, often pulsating with a hypnotic rhythm that adds depth and weight to the soundscapes. The intricate interplay between these instruments creates a unique soundscape that feels both dreamlike and grounded. Production: A Canvas Painted with Sonic Innovation Producer Tim Friese and engineer Hugh Padgham play a crucial role in shaping the album's sonic textures. They utilize unorthodox recording techniques, manipulating vocals and instruments to create an otherworldly feel. Reverbs, delays, and distortion are employed judiciously, adding ethereal dimensions to the sound. The use of unconventional instrumentation, like the harp in "Pitch the Baby," further contributes to the album's sonic tapestry. This meticulous production elevates "Heaven or Las Vegas" beyond a mere collection of songs, transforming it into a cohesive auditory experience. Themes: A Spiritual Journey Through Love and Escapism While Fraser's lyrics remain evocative rather than literal, themes of love, escapism, and spiritual yearning permeate the album. "Heaven or Las Vegas" itself presents a dichotomy between an introspective, heavenly realm and the vibrant, exhilarating energy of Las Vegas. Tracks like "Iceblink Luck" and "Pinkflood" hint at darker emotions, but the overall mood remains hopeful and uplifting. The ethereal soundscapes evoke a sense of longing and escape, urging listeners to transcend the mundane and embrace the beauty of the unseen. Influence: A Dream Pop Legacy "Heaven or Las Vegas" had a profound influence on the development of dream pop. Bands like Lush, My Bloody Valentine, and Sigur Rós cite it as a major inspiration. Its impact extends beyond dream pop, influencing acts like Radiohead and Björk with its innovative production and exploration of ethereal soundscapes. The album's enduring impact lies in its ability to evoke a sense of emotional resonance and sonic exploration, inspiring numerous artists to push the boundaries of their sound. Pros: Groundbreaking production: Innovative techniques create a uniquely immersive soundscape. Hauntingly beautiful melodies: Fraser's vocals and Guthrie's guitar work leave a lasting impression. Cohesive atmosphere: The album flows seamlessly, creating a unified sonic experience. Influence and legacy: A pioneering work that inspired countless artists across genres. Cons: Lyrically ambiguous: May frustrate listeners seeking conventional storytelling. Accessibility: The ethereal nature might not appeal to everyone. Limited emotional range: While beautiful, it may not encompass the full spectrum of human emotions. Conclusion: "Heaven or Las Vegas" stands as a testament to Cocteau Twins' creative vision and mastery. Despite its potential drawbacks, the album's innovative production, ethereal soundscapes, and evocative vocals create an unforgettable sonic experience. While it may not resonate with everyone, its influence and legacy cement its place as a landmark achievement in dream pop and alternative music.
Really satisfying. I wish the lyrics made more sense, but I suppose that’s part of its charm. Some songs are MUCH stronger than others.
37 minutes of otherworldly bliss.
This shit was so beautiful - I have no notes. Immaculate
Melancholic, moody, and dreamy. I like both vocalists, one reminds me of Dolores from the cranberries. We’ll not be pitching this baby 3.9*
Dreamy
This one was meh for me. All of the songs blurred together into one long weird tune. Were they speaking english? Is this an english-only list? I do think this album would be a great soundtrack to a 80’s outer space sci-fi romance movie, or a french film about outdoor rock climbing, but not for leisurely listening
This album was okay. It really didn’t do much for me. It sounded a lot like all the other synth-pop from the 80s that I’ve heard before, just this time, not in English. 🥴 This album also felt like a wall of constant sound all at the same volume. It didn’t have any levels, and it was therefore, fatiguing to listen to. Bonus points for being a short ass album though.
I didn’t understand a single word but sounded cool and whimsical.
Könnte man noch mal rein hören. Klang nicht schlecht.
This album is so beautiful and dreamy. I love the prominence of the bass that grounds it all. I can't tell if the lyrics are supposed to carry much meaning, but I'm struggling to read much into them if they do. That doesn't really break the experience for me - this is a lovely listening experience. 9/10. Favorite Songs: Iceblink Luck, Heaven or Las Vegas, Fotzepolitic, Road, River and Rail, Frou-frou Foxes in Midsummer Fires Least Favorite Songs: Fifty-fifty Clown, I Wear Your Ring
Very solid, magical album. Fotzepolitic is definitely the best song. On a side note what the hell is that lady saying.
Not my thing
Synth pop rock. Cool background music, but nothing super interesting. The vocals some times disappear in the mix.
Acquired taste
Cocteau Twins' most popular album, and probably not coincidentally the one that overlaps with Shoegaze's imperial era as well. Both Dream Pop and Shoegaze started out deconstructing pop music by transforming them into something unrecognizable. In early Cocteau Twins, the atmosphere was inscrutable and Elizabeth Frazer's singing even more cryptic and siren-esque. By the early 90s, both genres had come up with an unique sound out of their experimentations and were now moving back to pop: what would be the most approachable, poppiest music they could make without losing that characteristic sound? Here Cocteau Twins presents ten simple pop songs laced with their own sound thats probably one of the best ways of introducing someone to Dream Pop (without immediately throwing them into the deep end like you would with Loveless). The textures the guitars produces sound unlike anything you have ever heard a guitar make, almost closer to a jangly chippy synth. And Elizabeth Frazer, though now more discernably understandable, still sounds angelic. It gives the effect of her singing being both a sweet and lovingly way but also a fundamentally not 100-comprehensibly way, still allowing for an air of mystery to pervade. You can't get closer to heavenly vibes than this. Strong 4 to Light 5
This album is peak dream pop. Literal perfection from beginning to end and the album that began a long obsession with dream pop and shoegaze for me. If you can’t enjoy this album there’s something wrong with you.
Not my vibe
Not just boring music, but almost painful because of the singer's voice and pronounciation. Not my cup of tea, obviously, but this time I have a really hard time getting how anyone else could stand this let alone consider it a classic.
Felt like a soundtrack to a drug film
High-pitched, reedy, thin vocals, not much instrumentation to get excited about - a channel changer.
This kind of dreamy, atmospheric pop is right up my alley. Highlights: Cherry-Coloured Funk, Frou-Frou Foxes in Midsummer Fires
It's a good listen. It has a cohesive dream pop sound throughout. While I did like listening to it, I'm not sure it's something I would come back to often.
Not my thing at all
Glorious
Liked it.
Absolute classic
It’s fine
oh miserable
For an album on this list a bit too boring for me, sorry!
Eccentrically engaging and pretty charming, with somewhat deceptive shimmering. There's more depth and darkness, more shadows and shades than surface listening will reveal. Highly intricate, too, with a generally off-kilter feel that makes it quite likable, with the vocal's angelic sheen really elevating affairs, and often achieving outright ebullience.
I have seen their albums for years but never knew a single song or anyone to push me to listen. “Dream Pop” does have its place occasionally.
Listening to this I'm really split between giving a 3 and a 4. The more albums I listen to on the more I wish this scale went from 1-10. I'd put this at like a 3.8 3.9/5 rn. Idk if this would be called new wave or what but I’m enjoying chilling and listening to it.
This album is also on npr’s list of 150 best albums by women so I’ve listened before. It’s so great. This would be a good chill cooking dinner album
The vibes are immaculate
Standout- "Cherry-coloured Funk," "Heaven or Las Vegas," "Fotzepolitic," Vocals/Lyrics- 4/5 (no idea what they said but they said it beautifully Instrumentals- 5/5 (Very dreamy Vibes- 4/5 Overall- 5/5 I loved this album. While difficult to understand, it was very "dreamlike" and just scratched a specific itch in my brain.
An all time fave, listening to the album all the way through made me appreciate I Wear Your Ring a lot more. 5 stars all around.
I like the bubbly bass. I didn't finish this all the way because I ran out of time but it wasn't bad. Slightly too floaty for me.
listened to this while building a minecraft house and it made me feel like I was floating on a cloud made of cotton candy and eating little pieces of it so it was good.
Interesting sound that could have been incorporated into a greater combination of sounds. Having this sound be the primary identification is boring and repetitive.
Curioso: mezcla de The Bee Gees, de las hijas de The Beach Boys, Kate Bush.
An absolutely stunning, ethereal and beautiful album from start to finish. I don't think enough praise can be given. Openly, I don't care for a lot of late 80s-early 90s pop albums, but this is a shining example of a standout dream pop record in an over saturated environment. There are no bad, or even subpar tracks present. The runtime is a breezy 37 minutes, and every one is essential and very welcoming.
When David Lynch wrote, "We are like the dreamer who dreams, and then lives inside the dream,” I think he might have been listening to this (perfect dream pop) record.
Fun and original album. Great outing by the Scottish stars.
The lyrics are unintelligible, the melodies are slow and dreamy, it's the very definition of the shoegaze genre, and I bloody love it
Just lovely. Vocals emerging from soundscapes, lyrics almost intelligible. Escapes the late-80s production sound that I didn't like about some earlier efforts (and that so many bands suffered from).
4.8 Dreampop at its finest, Elizabeth Fraser's the queen of shoegaze and dreampop. Fave songs: Iceblink Luck, Frou-frou Foxes, Cherry Coloured funk, pitch the baby
This album was kind of interesting. The instrumentation and arrangements gave the rather simple songs a real spacey vibe. The vocal harmonies were kind of weird but they worked. I could listen to this again, but I probably wouldn’t ever seek it out
gut, aber würde ich jetzt nicht so anhören
4.5/5
Karaoke Night’s gonna be a movie with this one.
LOVED IT
#112. While listening to this album you might find yourself wondering who or what is this for. Well let me paint a picture for you. You have begrudgingly agreed to go to a dinner party at one of your wife's coworker's house. You know the one. The one with the combover and the crooked moustache. The one that always touches your arm when he talks to you. With the crack skinny wife in the wispy dress that doesn't speak loud enough to understand what she's saying ever. Every wall in their house is the same shade of off-white and every room has like one or two pieces of furniture, and maybe some stabby brutalist "art." You keep looking over at your wife to see if you can leave yet, because every minute being here is a minute closer to your insanity. And... this is the music that's playing in the background the whole time. Oh, and the brisket they served was dry. 2/5: please don't make me listen anymore Song added to playlist: Heaven Or Las Vegas I've created a playlist on Spotify that consists of the best and/or my favorite song from each of the albums in this book. This list can be found here if you are interested: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7MAXDGLWlwLkFLb8veGfkA?si=FqkQQPgZTFWG0jAUJXLFZA&utm_source=copy-link
Pas trop mon truc, même si cherry... était pas mal :)
Fantastic album. I'd heard a few songs off of it before and really enjoyed it, but this is the first time I'd heard the whole album. It transports me to a dreamy place, and the album colors make my eyes happy.
Großer (Synthesizer-)Klangbreimatsch mit zu vielen Effekten. Kann ich nicht so viel mit anfangen.
Ethereal and soft. Reminds me of a calmer My Bloody Valentine. I loved it.
oo I got this one on vinyl Despite that, I've only heard Side A; luckily, what's good in the first half continues in the second. The feeling I get from seeing the album cover is very similar to what I get listening to the songs: like an aurora in that it's transient, & leaves me wanting more. Generator has been on fire this month, more Scottish nonsense pls HL: "Cherry-Coloured Funk", "Iceblink Luck", title track, "I Wear Your Ring", "Fotzepolitic", "Frou-Frou Foxes in Midsummer Fires" January 22, 2024
Vastly prefer this to Treasure. I love how shoegazey and dreamy it is. It’s just a vibe.
This was great, I had no idea what they were singing about. I actually thought they were French until I looked it up halfway thru. I really did enjoy the synth ambient sounds. Gave their 84 release a listen afterwards, just as chill. 4 stars
got me feeling ethereal 💯
It feels like listening to nothing. The album changed over to their next album and I didn't notice for 20 minutes. That being said, it's not bad listening to it, I just forgot I was listening to music. If that makes any sense...
Really really nice
Not for me
Not for me. But would be an easy listening category.
Fluffy and ethereal, makes sense why they were called one of the original dream pop bands
Liked.
Didn't like
Oh woah hey that’s some good dreamy shoegaze
Love this album, love shoegaze, give me more. 4.4/5
Excellent album of dream Pop that doesn't meander or waste time
Hidden treat. Heard of the Twins - could not recall, but enjoyed this none the less, It gets a 4 as a hidden gem no. 88 on my quest
I love the Cocteaus - Treasure and Victorialand but lost interest when they went a bit poppy (which proved to be their 'breakthrough' sound it seems in terms of popularity. It's very distinctive sound and Liz's vocal and 'wall-of-sound' guitars immersive and moody. Early Cocteaus would get a 5* but this is only a 3* I'm afraid.
Meh. Kind of Danny Elfman like, but not as good.
I can't believe I haven't heard this before. What an amazing sound that no doubt lays the foundation for modern indie but was also very much a product of its time: 80s dream/ambient pop full of wavy, dreamy rhythms. Loved it!!
Interesting rhythmic album. Wasn't amazing, wasn't the worst. Might have trouble coming back to it with more modern options in the queue.
Jävligt bra
Pleasant enough.
Meh. 90s at its most boring.
I don't get why it's on that list. It's not bad but it sounds like some generic 90's songs.
Synthetisch klingender Dream-Pop. Naja!
Son étonnant et assez euphorisant. Ethéré, mélancolique mais heureux. Entre du shoegaz et de la pop, quelque part entre My Bloody Valentine et ABBA. Difficile de ne pas être accroché dès les premiers instants de “Cherry-coloured Funk”. La chanson titre est excellente également. “Iceblink Luck”, “Wolf in the breast”... C’est un quasi sans faute. Grosse hésitation entre 4 et 5, mais à la longue il devrait devenir un 5 obligatoire.
Nenän limakalvo turpeaa ja septumin alueella ärtynyttä. Tärykalvot helmen harmaat, läpikuultavat... tärykalvoihin myös tämä albumi hakkasi.. oikein mallikaaasti teki.. uskomatonn määrä mielenliikutusta tässä.. Se on aina uskomatonta mihin ääni pystyy. Kuitenkin obj muut äänen elementit ei kovinkaan sievää kuunneltavaa ole. En lyriikoista selvää saanut.. silti fiilistelin albumin mahdollista sanomaa...
This was my first 10 that’s been recommended to me. I absolutely LOVED this and had never heard of the Cocteau twins before. Definitely need to check out their other stuff now. Just really enjoyed their vibe.
Really otherworldly pop!
Not unpleasant, but instantly forgettable
If I had one adjective I could use for this album it is textured. It is really well produced/layered. The songs themselves though don't all hit that well. There is nothing I can complain or pinpoint that I don't like but I just imagine swaying/driving to this.
interesting, pretty cool.
Dream pop. Ni fu ni fa.
Curioso: mezcla de The Bee Gees, de las hijas de The Beach Boys, Kate Bush.
This is sweet. I cannot understand a word but the vocals, harmonies are so good. Lots of reverb adds to the atmospheric effect.
I did not particularly enjoy this. Good singing I guess? Boring overall.
Something about this really worked for me
c'est vrai, belle atmosphère c'est certain. La voix aussi, mais c'est plus un album qui passe qu'autre chose. J'ai des vibe de Enya.. ahaha mais bon je l'ai écouté un 2 partie donc j'ai un peu de la misère en men souvenir. Cependant, jen'ai rien qui ma vraiment frappé. 3.25
I liked it. Then again 90’s indie/alternative is my jam
Was slightly disappointed by this album. Not sure why I just am.
Had to listen to it a few times to get my head around it. I really like it even if it is a little off the wall. I think it’s definitely a band/album I’ll revisit
Awesome vocals, dull repetitive music. But they're Scottish, and Liz Fraser is a genius.
Not my style
Liked the sound of this one. Wouldn't go out of my way to listen to it though.
Great, ethereal album
Despite being Scottish I somehow have never heard of Cocteau Twins until now. This was a cool album, especially for the time, the strange vocal style captures you immediately. Easy listen but nothing that blew me away.
I’ve had this on my phone for over a week and finally listened to it! I didn’t super care for Treasure, which is probably why I procrastinated listening to this (that and I was on holidays). Anyway, I liked this better than Treasure. I can’t see myself choosing to listen to it again, but I didn’t mind it. Solid 3/5 material.
Pretty okay
Very good and Liz Fraser has a great voice.
Pretty much perfect all the way through. I’d never heard this before. It has an unreal dreamlike quality I gotta relisten to Loveless now
sempre uma experiencia
3.3/5 Best Track: Heaven or Las Vegas
Beautiful! Really enjoyed this.
Great album. Shoegaze but make it shimmer. If you’re stuck on the fact that you can’t understand the lyrics you’re focused on the wrong thing. Allow yourself to accept the vocals as another part of the musical track and embrace what they add to the album. You don’t need words to feel something.
Heaven Or Las Vegas is fine. The main thing I like about this album is Elizabeth Fraser voice because man it is quite good and pretty unique too. The songs were all okay albeit a bit forgettable. The sound choices weren't annoying though so this album didn't make me want it to end really fast. Best Song: Iceblink Luck Worst Song: I Wear Your Ring
Bland and forgettable. Not sure why it’s on this list
Liked it, but realistically won't listen to it again. 3/5
One of those rare flawless albums. Incredibly beautiful. Haunting. Elizabeth Fraser's voice is otherworldly.
Only a couple moments which I thought were good
Meh
If halves were a thing I would have given this a 2.5 but they aren’t. I just can’t fully give it a 3. I liked it though.
could i write poetry to this? n
Better than I remember, but not really my jam.
I enjoyed this. The sound feels very full throughout, which is a bit challenging on a first listen. I feel like this gets better and better with repeated listens. I'm not sure how realistic it is that I'll actually ever perform those repeated listens, but I wouldn't mind it if that ever came to pass.
FUCK YEAH SYNTH
I haven't heard it before, but I liked it very much for being the first time.
A classic shoegazing record.
Known before: Yes Cherry-coloured Funk Iceblink Luck Heaven or Las Vegas Road, River and Rail 10/10
Known Before: Standouts: 1. Cherry-Coloured Funk 5. Heaven or Las Vegas 8.0
Known before: Album Standouts: 01. Cherry-coloured funk 04. Fifty-fifty clown 05. Heaven or Las Vegas Rating: 8.0
Known Before: No Standouts: 2. Pitch the Baby 9.0
This was an interesting and surprising album. I only liked a couple of songs, but the dreamy, pop, alternative rock style was really prominent here. Not a bad album! Was kinda lame at the later half except for the last song. Favorite Song(s): "Cherry-coloured Funk", "Pitch the Baby", "Heaven or Las Vegas", "Frou-frou Foxes in Midsummer Fires"
Precisely the kind of insular music a pair of twins would make. I rate it snake eyes plus one. 🎲🎲🎲
This feels very dated. And what are they saying?
This is another shockingly good album. I kind of missed the 80s, so there is a lot that I missed, especially the more under the radar stuff. I don't have any affinity for the typical 80s sound, but this album isn't that. It's a very dreamy, gauzy dream-pop precursor, and I'd bet dollars to doughnuts that Chino Moreno from Deftones absolutely loved this band. Again, I'd love the ability to do half stars, as this is a solid 3.5. I wouldn't say it's as good as Superunknown, but it's definitely better than Teenage Head, which I gave 3 stars.
Haven't listened to this album in ages and have forgotten how much fun it is....the sound of a new decade of pop
Another unknown for me. Pretty regular inoffensive 80s music, nice singing even if the words were unintelligible. Looked up the lyrics, they look like they’ve been put through google translate a few times but this band is Scottish so what’s with that?? Listens: 2 Fave Track: Cherry-coloured Funk. Rating: 3
That was awesome. Have never listened to them before but will be now. Rating: 4.8
Solid effort, not really my jam, but can tell there's talent in there. Love some of the bass lines.
Nice and cozy.
Great ethereal sounding record. A perfect blend of dream pop and rock.
Like falling in love in a dream and waking up with a smile still on your face. Still have no fucking idea what they’re saying though.
Unimpressive. Muddy, undistinguished sound. Probably well suited to become elevator music or some other background sound track that no one really cares about. It's not objectionable, but I'd give it a "2" just because it's useless.
Duger väl till vardags.
A brilliant slice of alternative nonsense
I will always love this album. I love the jangly guitar sounds and vocals. It's dreamy.
Seemed pretty good
so beautiful and pleasant and dreamy, but kinda one-note
Pioneer's of the Dream Pop, Shoegaze sound. Really lovely warm tones throughout. I liked the french lyrics, forced me to focus on the instrumentals. Enjoyed this album.
Was this album in English? Maybe it was French. The lack of clarity of the vocals did add to the dreamy soundscapes of a kind of relaxing, warm fog. In my mind, this should create some sort of timeless feel, but it still sounds like the 90s. I don't know that if that is a good or a bad thing. It's just an observation. Good day.
Didn’t really know what to think about this. I enjoyed it, but it’s not something I would seek out
good.
Люблю люблю сука люблю! Альбом - столовая ложка британского альт-рока 80х. Шугейз + постпанк + готика = этериал вейв. Обожаю вокал Фрейзер, обожаю гитару, обожаю драмку...
Weird 90’s ethereal and ambient. Which is what I think they were going for. Like the New Wave feel but with other more 90’s sounds to it. Was confused lyrically and so I looked it up and that seems to be the big confusion. Are they singing in English… kinda? Will register to this again.
Didn't enjoy this - couldn't tell what language they were siniging in, and all of the songs were overly surreal sounding and dreamy for my taste. That said, the songs were actually songs and were musical, which ranks this album far higher than many of the albums in this list. Some of which are just random assortments of noises.
GARLIC FONDUE
Too much phaser, but album has a few decent songs
I had no idea underworld also made music with instruments
Hope to see them at Coachella next year
Have you ever wanted to know what it's like to make out with someone in Portland in 2011?
Lesbian spiritual fever dream music
Still can't understand anything Liz is singing, but mostly I enjoy all the Cocteau Twins have released. I do find the all the guitars (and everything else that isn't the bass) excessively bright, but I can get past it.
I listened to this album a fair bit around a year ago, as it was one that we reviewed on the YouTube show. I’m going to listen to this again without reviewing what I said last time, as it would be interesting to see if my opinion has changed since then. Songs I already knew: all of them Favourites: Heaven Or Las Vegas, Cherry-Coloured Funk There is a lot to like here. 80’s synth is usually a safe bet for me, and there are lots of catchy melodies. I can see this next point being a little controversial, but I quite like how unintelligible the singing is. It makes the voice sound more like a literal instrument rather than a method of expressing something, and I like how different that is. Overall, a nice enjoyable album. I’ve come back to it a few times, and I’ll likely continue.
I like it when people come out and say what they mean, they don't do this. They use sounds of words, I suppose getting to the crux of music as a language. 2nd halves produce more meaning. This is a sound but not a very full one.
Strange, doesn't sound like english but is. Didn't like too much
Wow another great one. Chill, almost ethereal music with nice female vocals and airy synths 4.4
Shoegaze meets disco-pop.
This album is so sexy. Very lorelai gilmore
classic :-))
Meh
really nice! reminded me of the vibe of Last Night In SoHo -- sad, proud, vaguely feminist, deliberately retro, not much uwu.
The Cure meets Tegan and Sara.
cherry-coloured funk 6.9 pitch the baby 6.5 iceblink luck 5.5 fifty-fifty clown 5.3 heaven or las vegas 6.4 i wear your ring 5.8 fotzepolitic 6.7 wolf in the breast 7 road, river, and rail 6.3 frou-frou foxes in midsummer fires 8 Some very pretty songs, and some I didn't care for too much but overall it's a vibe. The last song was a banger. 3 stars.
Didn't sound bad but not really up my alley
liked the beginning and the end of the album but hated the middle. not a fan of 80s pop vocals
Ethereal 90s indie rock 👍. Almost a shoegaze kind of sound, but with less distortion. I do think later bands did this better, like Beach house or MBV. Still a very good album and I love the sound. Some of the later tracks really show the 80s pop influence. Pulling in some of the cornier sonic motifs of that genre. Overall really fun record.
Other reviews say airy and ephemeral which is true But also boring, hard to tell what they're saying, and sometimes just noisy
надо их ещё послушать, этот хороший + спотифай мне эти песни уже совал + пытаюсь вспомнить - была какая-то интересная связка их с кем-то ещё (ну например девочка пела в массив атаке, но было и ещё что-то)
A beautiful ethereal masterpiece. Gives me goosebumps every time with such emotionally intense vocals and powerful waves of shoegaze melodies. With Treasure stands as the greatest dream pop records of all time. I love the double-tracked vocals which add to the ambiance of the room this record builds in your head. It's busy and fast, but leaving moments of repetition to slow down and appreciate the vibe. Moods vary from relaxation to mystery to pure bliss and euphoria. Fraser has such a versatile voice that there's always new tricks to show off in each track. She doesn't hold back. Not a single weak track on here. Starts off very strong with mesmerizing hits, moving to the euphoric tracks, and toning it down in the second half in wonder and curiosity with abrasive effects overtaking energy, like the second side of Treasure. Every one is memorable for both the melody and the vocals. "Road River and Rail" is the only track I'm not saving, but it's just as essential for its dark mysterious vibe, and that lovely optimistic bridge and closer. "Frou-frou Foxes" is such a beautiful and satisfying closer. It's a masterpiece in what pop could achieve and evoke into the audience. Fraser shows that lyrics don't matter. The story could be told through other means, and interpreted however the audience likes. This is a record that transcends music in the traditional sense, and like techno and house, it serves as a medium of sound to place the audience in another world, one so serene and blissful. A world I'm glad to have discovered and occasionally re-visit.
The dream pop of the late 80s and 90s knows better albums. Still this is a worthwhile listen of this great band.
What could be more overwhelmingly pop than an entire album that literally ended with a fade out? It feels poppy as heck, added with some unnecessary elements (which make it "dream pop"). I can dig those elements - the distortions, the drunken vocals, the synths... but it's too easy to overdo those things. A pop album that's not even as catchy as a pop album should.
a little boring
I'm not sure how this album ended up on this list. I'm pretty sure I could find a better album not on this list in any used record store in the world. Maybe there's political or historical information I'm lacking that would help change my opinion, but I'm not going to waste any more time on it.
A gem in an example of moody enigmatic music that helped shape a niche strand of popular music through the 90s. Within a few years there a host of similar acts that rose to the kind of popular acclaim and commercial success that Cocteau Twins may not have fully been able to achieve. The tracks float and occasionally soar sonically despite the lyrics often seeming intelligible.
I think I understand what people like about this record. I just don't like it very much myself. It's good enough and original enough to be on the list. Favorite song: Frou-frou foxes in midsummer fires
Sounds nice enough, but not something I'd actively listen to. Nice as background, though.
Wanted to like this more than I did, probs just under a 4 in reality
If this isn't playing in Heaven, I'm not going.
Couldn't get into it. There were too many moments where I just checked out. It's not the worst thing I've heard on here, but it didn't click with me.
More convincing than the previous album I'd listened to in this list - Treasure. The oddity of the lyrics doesn't stand out as much here. Probably helps that I've been listening to a lot of shoegaze recently, but this gets a four.
Didn’t click with me
Sounds good, nothing that stands out but the whole album was enjoyable. Chill to listen in the background.
Never heard of them before, but that was lovely. I definitely want to hear more of this.
One of my favourite albums, yeah it’s kind of intelligible, but isn’t that the point?
3.4
Scottash senging
Another reasonable entry in the 1001
Here we go, a consistently lush and intimate dreampop album that never fails to transport its listeners
I'm really amazed at how modern this album sounds. This wouldn't sound outta place with any of the 2010s dream indie rock (esp thinking Alvvays). There are moments where I get the real 90s feel off of it, but overall a great album. Wish it had more of an impact on me, but it has been an absolutely stellar week from 1001albums, so its a bit hard to standout.
An absolutely magical, dream and atmospheric album by Cocteau Twins. The vocals are stunning and an instrument in itself (proof lyrics aren't always that important), the guitars are beautiful, too. Overall a gorgeous dream pop album that belongs high on any 1990s list.
Finally, a redeeming quality of Grangemouth, Scotland.
feel like if i were depressed and walking around central in the winter this album would have done more for me
Not bad
If there was a genre of just psychedelic Scottish bands I’d listen to it all day. Favs: Cherry-Colored Funk, Pitch the Baby, and Frou-Frou Foxes in Midsummer (but really the entire album if I could) Least Fav: you’d be insane to put any of these songs here
Not a huge fan of dream pop as a genre. I can see why it's on the list; it just wasn't my thing.
Solid record.
Feels like Djo
I really like this album. I listen to quite often as background, it's nearly perfect for writing or creating. The songs just drift together with those soft mumbled vocals. I think Treasure is a but better but happy to see this on the list.
Easy one for me, I love Cocteau Twins and this record in particular. Dream pop that influenced many other (dream pop/shoegaze) bands I love down the road, so there’s that to appreciate too.
Really enjoyed it. You can hear the influence it has on a lot of bands i listen to. Will listen again.
I liked some of this. But I really didn't like some of it, too. Some of the insturmentation is really good and interesting. Some of the vocals are fine, but some are utterly uncomprehensible. I don't think I'll be putting this on again anytime soon.
The dream pop group of all time, its not even my favorite album by them but good god is it good.
Dreamy and atmospheric vibes. I've never heard this before, never heard of Cocteau Twins in general. But if someone were to play Cherry-coloured Funk without me hearing it before, I'd think it was from the last decade, not 33 years ago. That might potentially be more a case of modern music being a throwback rather than this being ahead of its time, though. But I wouldn't doubt the latter either. Everything fits together so well - The instrumentation is wonderful, the vocals are otherworldly, everything is layered but it doesn't ever feel like a mess. This is very good. Some beautifully ethereal Dream Pop that's just a great album to chill with. Press play and lose yourself in aural psychedelia. Favourite: Iceblink Luck
Felt like I was listening to ABBA, only not as fun and enjoyable. You know who else is Scottish? The Jesus and Mary Chain. Those guys are good, these folks, not so much. Thankful this album was less than 40 minutes. I was really surprised at the bands that showed up on Spotify, right after this album ended. Velvet, Sonic Youth, The Jesus and Mary Chain. At least I got to listen to some good music after the album ended. Felt like I was hearing the same song over and over again. Maybe I was but at this point, let's just end this review. Remined me of ABBA, but ABBA is good. No good songs. Will not revisit. Definitely not rock. Slightly better than the swift chick. 2
This sort of dream-pop isn't normally my thing. I often find it repetitive and boring and this album has its moments like that, however there are just as many interesting moments too. I kinda dig the ethereal sound this album has but I really like the vocals. Really beautiful and agile without sounding yodel-y. By the end I was pretty over it though. It does feel longer than its runtime. I'd say I don't hate this but I don't really like it either. I saved a few songs that I might not skip. 2
3 Shoegaze meets dance pop meets Kate Bush meets… ABBA? This isn’t my first foray with Cocteau Twins. Anyone who knows me knows that The Perks of Being a Wallflower is my favorite movie (and book) of all-time, and there’s a great line in it where Sam describes her first time hearing the song Pearly-Dewdrops' Drops by the group, an experience that entirely changed her musical taste by inspiring in her a vision of looking up, seeing someone at a party, and realizing that everything will be okay. So, of course I had to seek out the song, and while the music surrounding the movie is a large part of my adoration… I didn’t have quite the same reaction to it. Now, Pearly-Dewdrops' Drops is not on this album, but from what I’ve read, many people have had similar experiences with Heaven or Las Vegas that Sam did that song, describing the ambience of the album as absolutely enchanting and transcending unlike anything else - but I wasn’t quite able to get there myself. I’m not even exactly sure why that is, I’m a sucker for this dream pop type of bullshit (see my War on Drugs review), but this really didn’t do it for me. It’s not bad by any means, and I definitely wouldn’t say I didn’t enjoy it, but it really failed to pull me in like it has so many others. Granted, each time I listened to this album was while I was working, so maybe I just need to fully immerse myself in it on a quiet, responsibility-free night? I’ll give it a shot one day, but in the meantime, we’re going to go with a 3. Sorry, Sam.
1.25.
My first CT, apart from the few songs that got airplay. I love the sound and style, full and rich, and her beautiful voice.
Excellent 4.5/5
no idea what she’s saying but ok slay queen x Seriously though, this album is beautiful. I am a big fan of shoegaze and I can see how this was clearly very, very influential. Favourite songs (after listening multiple times): ‘Cherry-coloured Funk’, ‘Pitch the Baby’
Known. Good.
Kinda like swimming with dolphins when you can't actually swim. Music to die to
Yeah man lovely chorus pedals, synths and mega reverb on vocals. Its a great sound and reaches some heady heights. Altough any differnt ideas in there? I guesS they made a sound. Its a lovely sound but couldnt help but wonder what would it be like if they recorded it on a double decker bus on the morning commute to Machester. Sure a few elbows and probably a fair amount of Manc heckling. But surely a unique and evolving experience and ergo sound.
Glad to be reminded of this, haven't listened to Cocteau Twins for a while. Great album.
No idea what she was singing about. It might as well have been in French. It wasn't offensive, but it wasn't very good either.