Reviews (page 9 of 13)
Okay. Not my favorite.
At its best: ethereal, dreamy and textured with great layers and production. At its wost: like someone is listening to britpop next door and you can sort of hear it through the wall.
This came out right as I was starting to get my head around being a music fan. I knew I liked hip hop and the Cure a whole bunch and was suspicious of anything that sounded too slick. The 1980s were very much the era of too slick and I was running away from that. So, a year later or so when I latched on pretty hard to Lush, Ride, and MBV, I had an inkling I should be checking out the Cocteaus, probably because of Guthrie’s production work and their clear influence on these bands. But, this was their most recent release and had the patina of “too produced” so aside from Lorelei, I mostly steered clear of them. Silly stuff, being a young music fan (and also, as was the case for Gen X and early Millennials, affording music was not as simple as firing up a streaming service or file-sharing). Much like other Twins albums, there are a few genre-defining/creating standout tracks here - singles even eh? - but the palette is fairly limited to their specific blend of dream pop throughout the remainder. Basically just not a lot of range, Fraser’s vocal aside.
Cool music, and innovative. It steps in the path between energetic and soothing, so it isn't really either. 3/5
It's one of those where you have to be in the mood to enjoy it, but when you are in the mood, man is it fucking good. High 3
Moody dream pop, which I guess if you are into that then this album is a good example. For me, I found it pleasant, but somewhat boring.
It’s like dessert. Fine for a few songs but gets sweet and samey real quick. Some good ones tho…
This is the first time I have listened to this. Lovely dreamy, textured sound. I found myself hardly listening to the lyrics, just enjoying the vocals as if they were an instrument on their own. Played it again while I worked, it was perfect for getting into that creative & focused headspace.
3.5/5
I really enjoyed listening to this, however it quickly fell to the background to the point of forgetting about it. Melodic and well paced. Never overstayed its welcome. Strong Buffy the Vampire Slayer vibes
Kivasti yhdistelee synth poppia ja alt rokkia. Kummiskin aika leppoisaa ja kevyttä soundia. Maalailevaa ja tunnelmallista. Parhaat: Cherry-coloured Funk, Frou-frou Foxes In Midsummer Fires
Hmm
I’ve heard it before not my favorite Cocteau twins album tbh
spacey and airy and wonderful
First time I listened to them by choice. I enjoyed the listen-through, but started checking how many more songs after the 5th one. I appreciate the ingenuity, but not for me.
Dad- 6 Mom- 7 Mike- 6 Lori- 5.5 Michael- 7 Miles- NA Cole- 5.5 Avg- 6.17
Behagligt.
It’s a three, but it’s a little three.
Like the background music to every 90s teen drama on the CW
Not bad for a Scottish band.
Not my favorite. Pleasant enough and dreamy vibes but just not connecting with it. First song is best
Decent sleepy time music. 3/5 Album 71/1001
There's something oddly familiar with this, though I've never heard it before. There's a bit of The Cure meets shoegaze. Interesting and mellow. Wolf in the Breast moved me the most. This album is a 3. It's good, but not crazy good. Definitely glad it was on here, though.
I was never a consistent Cocteau Twins listener but so.much of what I've heard from them, I have liked. They definitely have a unique shoegazer type sound. This album was interesting. It's mood music that I think you have to be in the mood for a though.
A lovely change from the 70s rock I've been getting, but a bit of a disappointment as an album. The title track and Iceblink Luck are absolutely beautiful songs, but the others are just pleasant. It's a beautiful soundscape, but one of those where I can't see myself listening again, apart from the two songs above. Maybe it'll grow over time? 3*, possibly a 4 if it does.
not my thing. do not see how this is in the 1001 list.
I liked this album by Cocteau Twins. It was a lot more coherent than previous works, you could actually understand what the lyrics were saying. That being said, the lyrics are quite dark, but dreamy. The whole album felt like I was listening to the soundtrack of a dream. Pretty cool. 3.25 / 5
Not bad
Didn't do much for me on first listen.
Pleasant background music, hard to grasp on to anything in particular
Cool and calm
OK but gets a bit twee.
This album is really my first introduction to “shoegaze” or”dreampop” or whatever you call this genre. I overall liked some of the effects and techniques, such as the use of reverb, but I felt like this album didn’t explore these ideas to their fullest potential. I only really liked two tracks, of which one was the closing track. Favorite Track: I Wear Your Ring
Have only heard of this band - First active attempt to listen to this. Last time I was on this program, it was pre-stroke. This feel airy, synth. No lead up I noticed for the first song. 2nd song, interesting this is from 1990. Interesting album artwork too 3rd song, I didn't mind listening to, jessica insisted we skip it. jessica couldnt finish, will come back
I don't really know where to go with this album. I like some of their sounds. The vocals were really strange and unintelligible. I'm torn between a 2 and a 3 with this but I think I'll go with a 3.
A pretty pleasant shoegazy ambient pop album. Not anything that holds a candle to Loveless but nice while it's on. 2.5/5 - > 3/5
Short album alternative indie album. Starting of great with first song very ethereal. Third is very catchy. standouts: title track(fav) and froze politic, wolf in breast, ending track is the most cinematic 6.9/10
Fine. 3/5
I am not sure if I can't hear anymore or if they are actually speaking a language I should be able to understand. Doesn't help that Tidal doesn't support track lyrics on this one. This self doubt alone warrants three stars.
Cocteau Twins are one of those bands who were practically made for listening to with headphones. The music is dreamy and ethereal and lush, and well produced. Elizabeth Fraser has a lovely voice, yet I sometimes wonder what these songs would be like if she sang real lyrics.
Like the last record, if I don't understand the lyrics, I probably won't love it .this is fine for background music but not something that engages me.
enjoyed the music more than the vocals. Reminds me of the cranberries.
Pretty cool! Need to revisit when not driving on a road trip from AZ
Not my jam but not terrible either.
Favorite Track: Heaven or Las Vegas
good vibes, need another listen
it was good. feeling indifferent. i liked it but didn't love it. but then the last song came on and i was walking and the sun was shining - something shifted.
This album is a mood perfectly distilled into a musical project. Atmospheric and innovative, it can feel monotonous at times.
Nice ethereal background music that sounds much more contemporary than when it came out.
This was the most successful album from Scottish group Cocteau Twins (actually three members). The music is etherial/new age with vocals which are hard to comprehend at times. Overall very pleasant listening.
3.5
Pretty good one for working!
So this is "Dream Pop". Not all bad. It's clearly a forerunner to Shoegaze.
Both the melodies and the vocals are bland. Filter/echo on the vocals effectively turns it into mumble pop.
This is the kind of album that is very good, I know is very good, but can't fully appreciate because it's not my kind of vibe. I know that it goes for this dreamy, ethereal atmosphere, and it also achieves it really well. But this type of sound is not really my thing. Even when listening to atmospheric music, I prefer it being more varied and exciting. Dream pop, however, is by definition very soft and monotonous, which is just not that fun for me. In short, Heaven or Las Vegas achieves its goal extremely well, but I'm not a huge fan of that goal; however, it's the quintessential dream pop album, and if you like that kind of sound, you'll like this. 7/10
Det är ju välgjord musik. Men den klickar inte riktigt med mig. Gillar rösten! Trea plus
Didn't like
Very dreamy music. The tunes are decent, but it's not entirely up my alley.
I liked Treasure, but this is a bit too dreamy, and I didn't notice any difference between some tracks. It is short before being boring, but it is just a soundscape in the background for me.
Dreamy record that I reckon I could really fall for in my youth when I had more time and less choice at my fingertips. Not an instant love though.
A band synonymous in my mind with women who don’t wash their pubic region and the men that pursue them as if the smell of their body odour were a little cartoon man who had smelt a freshly baked pie. It was alright.
Heard of this band never really listened to them I believe. Pretty cool. Not my style. 3-stars
On paper (late 80s/early 90s ethereal, guitar-and-synth-heavy dream pop with female vocals, from Scotland no less) this should be absolutely my thing. And in a way I guess it is. But I've tried with this band and this album (which frequently appears near the top of various best-of lists) a couple of times now, and while I kind of like everything I'm hearing, I somehow fail to understand what it is that makes them so special to so many people. It's good for what it is, but nothing I'll be listening to all that much going forward probably... Although, who knows, maybe it would grow on me on repeat listens...? Rounding down.
Best prima. 3 sterren
Very pleasant
Kinda vibey but could not understand a single lyric in the album. Is “dream pop” shoegaze? It kinda fell into the background and none of the tracks stood out or were memorable once the album was done.
Not much into dream pop. It was ok-ish background music. No standouts for me.
Harmiton, ehkä vähän tylsä abba.
It starts pretty well, but then it devolves into blurry background noise, which I sadly don't care about.
Gutes Album aber overrated
liked songs: Fotzepolitic, Road, River and Rail, Frou-frou Foxes in Midsummer Fires Dreamy, floaty, Kate Bush vibes. I generally liked the sound, especially the vocals, but the album is very samey. I felt like I kept hearing the same chords and exact same guitar tone in every track. 3
That's not my taste in music - But ok
Not bad. I wasn't familiar with this one going in. I like the mix and arrangements a lot. I will need to keep this one in mind and revisit it later
Nothing special. I mean it's nice and everything, but I won't be rushing to re-listen.
enjoyed more than i thought
Good but maybe I didn’t give it a detailed enough listen. No real thoughts on it, will probably go back
Not for me
I'd not listened to this album for many, many years. It reminded me of a time when I was a lot younger! Liz's voice still comes across with its ethereal (and nonsense) qualities today, but my tastes have moved on. Overall, it's nice as background music, not something it really want to sit and analyse
Very talented, first impression is that it’s very not for me. Maybe worth a more “sit down and listen intentionally” session later on.
5/10
Cocteau Twins ≈ The Beatles
Atmospheric electronica topped with Liz Frasers ethereal vocals. Beautiful sounding album although not my usual choice of music.
Pretty good stuff
Mellow ABBA? A unique record with sweeping vocals. I wish I liked it more but damnit I respect it.
Not sure why this is on the list. It’s a fine example of 1990s music.
Nice enough.
Very "Cranberries" esque
There were a moments of this album that I really liked, but on the whole I think it was just OK.
A nice 'background noise' album, that couldn't be more indie 80's if it tried (and it did try!).
I really don’t know how to feel after hearing it lol. It was half French and like English I couldn’t tell half the time. I left feeling like I watched multiple intro videos for like 90’s shows - not sure lol
Not my thing. Pretty chill though.
I think I forgot what I listened to 10 minutes after the album ended. Keep in mind that I'm old and suffer from CRS (Can't Remember Shit) so that's likely on me, rather than the Cocteau Twins.
Ok for working background music, and very pretty at that, but not one I'd likely actively seek out in the future. 3/5
Pretty samey but some enjoyable moments.
The one you want to hear is Blue Bell Knoll.
The sound reminds me of Catherine Wheel. It's pleasant as background music but didn't really grab me. I liked the intro track ("Cherry-coloured Funk") which is the popular one. I also kinda liked "I Wear Your Ring", which is not amongst the most popular ones.
It's a nice enough sound, with its lilting vocals and fuzzy, wall-of-soubd instruments, but also felt like it lacked some way to really hook my attention.
This was delightful. Smooth, melodic, music to my ears. Perhaps I wouldn't dance along, but I'd certainly gentle sway. 3.8/5.
Not really a fan. Sounds very 90s and uninspiring. It's listenable, but nothing to write home about. 3/5
Hmm I am really not sure, inoffensive but unexciting. Loved the vocals but otherwise uninspiring. Probably needs more than one listen but can I be bothered ??
Not to bad
I would listen to this on a tandem bicycle on the way to an organic orange wine bar
3.5 I enjoyed the uniqueness of this album, and that it was a a choice I don't think I would have ever made myself. I liked it as an "in the background" listening, but not as much beyond that. The songs blurred together in a way that made it easy to listen to, but conversely made me not enjoy it as much.
Not bad
This was a really interesting album, Cocteau Twins were new to me! At the start I really enjoyed the ambient pop vibes, but as the album progressed the "Glossolalia" was distracting and felt gimmicky. I can appreciate the concept of incorporating a mix of different languages and made up words to focus on more the musicality and sound - but in practice it was annoying and a bit too abstract. 2 for the music, but an extra star because I think it is an important and interesting addition to the list
3.75
It's okay. Some cool tracks, with one I recognize. I think there is some influence from The Cure here.
Somewhat soothing. Idk. Sounded like 90s alt. Easy listening. Pleasant voice
Inoffensive wafty pop, fairly enjoyable
Kinda zoned out for a bit, but really pleasant listen. Last track in particular was great. But, in general, it just kind of washed over me and didn’t leave THAT much of an impression.
I think they are a bit overrated but the album was decent.
3/5
It wasn't as dreamy as I expected. There weren't many shoegaze elements in it. The songs on "Heaven or Las Vegas" are average. I do love "Cherry-Coloured Funk" though. The album's title is also fantastic. 3 stars for "Heaven or Las Vegas".
Weird. Couldn't understand the lyrics. But nice melodies.
Nothing on this album really stood out to me in any way. That said it was a pretty enjoyable listen but it will fade from my memory and be forgotten pretty quick and I don't think it will cross my mind organically again Standouts - 3/5
A great sounding album but is definitely overrated compared to a lot of its contemporaries
Very nice ambience, and interesting sound scapes. Feel like the album didn't really go anywhere though. Would have liked to see a bit more variation in the formula.
This is the kind of record where you're putting on the whole thing, or not at all. A beautiful foundation record of dream pop and better than this 3 suggests. It's probably a mid 7. Very beautiful, very strange, very inspired, surprised how it ever became popular, but also instantly get it.
Influential for a favorite album of mine - Slowdive self titled. Some cool moments on this album, and but in the end the origins of the this genre aren’t interesting enough to me, and some of the production and instrumentation choices I found kind of distracting from what I think are pretty good bones of songs from a creative band.
I did not use a private session for Spotify. A very 80's album release in 90. It's interesting, but I won't be listening to it again.
How am I not more familiar with this album?!
I need more time with this, but I don't know when.
Probably won't revisit, but it was an enjoyable listen. Favs: Cherry-coloured Funk, Fotzepolitic, Frou-frou Foxes in Midsummer Fires
Meh, not bad, but nothing to write home about?
First and second song sounds like mazzy star’s happy cousin. Love. Third song makes me feel like I’m in a lizzie mcguire mama Mia mash up. Not sure if I’d listen to it again for fun but maybe to set a certain aesthetic or as background music I may listen to it. Started and ended strong but the middle was a little shaky for me. 3/5
Has more streams than I expected, a good calming album, 3.5.
Didn't leave much of an impression.
I'm gonna have to keep trying with these guys. Everything just feels half finished. Apparently the prior one from them was literally half finished, not sure what the excuse is here. Like her voice.
There were a few stand out songs that I LOVED but some parts of the album felt like I was listen to the same song. I rly enjoyed overall tho
Прикольно, но какие-то треки отсюда не запомнились
Didn’t hate it, didn’t love it. Just kind of floated through it like a dream you forget as soon as you wake up. I get why some folks love this one. The production is rich, the vocals are airy, and it creates a vibe. But for me, it didn’t really land. It all kind of blended together. Nothing grabbed me or made me want to hit replay. It’s easy to have on in the background, but I doubt I’ll ever be in a hurry to hear it again.
Not terrible, but not great either. Truly mid.
Hey! I think this was great! It wasn't exactly as INCREDIBLE as I thought it would be. I think this is talked about with such reverence. Personally, I just feel like I'm in Brooklyn in some slightly industrial third space, like a third wave coffee shop or anarchist bookstore. That first song is undeniably beautiful. It's special. Some of those vocal lilts just GET me. The rest of the album's blurry! It's not my least favorite world to be in, but hard to find standouts. I'm saying high 3/5 for lots of enjoyment, wouldn't be mad to put this on!
It is pretty and performed emotionally but there is no standout here. Everything bleeds into one another, discerning meaning is hard when very few lyrics are made up of actual words. Won't revisit.
Good, not my style tho
01) Cherry-Coloured Funk - 7,0 02) Pitch the Baby - 7,0 03) Iceblink Luck - 8,0 04) Fifty-Fifty Clown - 7,0 05) Heaven or Las Vegas - 8,0 06) I Wear Your Ring - 7,5 07) Fotzepolitic - 7,0 08) Wolf in the Breast - 7,0 09) Road, River and Rail - 7,0 10) Frou-Frou Foxes in Midsummer Fires - 7,5 TOTAL: 7,30 (73/100) Current ranking: 218/393
Reminds me of early Beach House. Very ambient sounds with a darker/somber undertone to it. The music has some of that 80s sound, but it also has the new sounds of what's to come in the 90s. This is a good one.
I'm not sure if dream pop is my thing. Thus album is not bad but the heavy effects coupled with the heavy reverb is just not a sound I really like. It sounds just glassy and gimmery, and to me at least makes me lose any emotion behind it. And it's not that it's not there, it just feels like it's down a cathedral hall. It's not close or immediate. All in all I didn't hate the album and although there are no tracks that stood out to me, there are aspects of it I truly enjoy. (7.3) ★★★½
Nothing particularly stuck out to me but it was fine for background work music.
I always preferred the band’s earlier albums most likely due to them being more lyrically indecipherable, which left a little more to the imagination. And while this was a more straightforward direction in sound with admittedly somewhat dated production, it was still a pleasant chill listen.
Solid listen
Lovely and expensive. Liz Fraser has a stunning voice. As an album the whole record is immersive but I'm not sure I can remember the waves
I expected stereotypical 80s music. This did not turn out to be stereotypical 80s music.
It was fine. I didn’t hate it, it just didn’t grab me.
Ich respektiere, dass die Sängerin oft einfach gibberish singt und es trotzdem gut klingt.
Never heard this before. The album is fine, but not remarkable. Not sure why it's on this list.
A few enjoyable spots but a bit monotonous by the end. Not enough variety.
Interesting sound, which I kind of liked...but toward the end of the album the songs are start sounding the same.
3 decent
“Dream Pop”!? If I had heard of that before I forgot it. This album almost put me to sleep. And that’s not a bad thing.
There are a handful of songs I truly love here. Pitch the Baby, Iceblink Luck, the title track, and Fotzepolitic are all stunning, and I wouldn't say any individual song is that bad. However, this album is rather tiring for only 37 minutes. If the song clicks, I love it, and if it doesn't, it can feel like a drag. The best way to enjoy this album is by picking a few tracks at a time. Any more and my patience wears. If I liked it as a full listen, I might bump another star, but as is I feel like it's lacking.
Ethereal loveliness
A dreamy soundscape Guided by a high, soft voice Enveloping you
Great atmosphere. Unintelligible lyrics
There’s a lot of albums that mash the synth and whiny unintelligible lyrics button to oblivion- but this is a pretty unique way to do it…points for that I suppose.
Perfectly average. Reminded me of the countless pub bands I've seen, but these guys seem to have managed to record an album and be placed on a list.
I think I liked it. But what language are they singing in?
This was very enjoyable, but a bit poppier than I expected from this band. I loved the last track. Pretty much every song had layers of shimmering guitar and the vocals are dreamlike, but in a somewhat more conventional package.
Nice listen
This album needs remastering, the elements run into each other…it hurts my ears… other than that, it’s a lovely album 👍
Makes me feel nostalgic about a past I never had.
Undeniably pretty. Call it dreamy, ethereal, trippy - this is widescreen music that scrapes the firmament and unfurls itself slowly, layer by gossamer-light layer. Yet this is also why it proves a little unsatisfying. Listen carefully to the beautiful-sounding vocals and they're gibberish, like something from the Sims. It adds the the notion that the technicolour hues of the music distract from the lack of any real substance. If you're after lush, woozy, amorphous pop, this is five stars. However, if, like me, you like a bit of scaffolding visible in the music you dig, have at it any which way.
Not a bad listen by any means. Interesting somber synth blend that manages to be catchy and also melancholy. Some of the songs feel repetitive for an already shorter album, but a nice listen for background noise. Almost felt like a movie soundtrack. Top tracks: Cherry-coloured Funk, Iceblink Luck, Fifty-fifty Clown
spotify really hit the screw with the nail when they described them as "A group whose distinctly ethereal and gossamer sound virtually defined the enigmatic image of the record label 4AD." Music is so ethereal you would think it exhausts if it was left in your hand at the end of your turn (only real slay the spire G's will get that one) still pretty good, probably 3.5, really liked tracks 1, 4, 5, and 10
This album is tough to put to words. The best I can do is "almost too stimulating" (although it's kinda overstimulating). It's quite good. I may have to forgive 'my bloody valentine' and give them another try since they are quite similar iirc (and it's one of the only albums I've kept trying to return to). Anyways, I like tracks (playlisted): 1>3>4 I mean it's alright like: 10>6>5=2 Not that good: 9>8>7 Kinda mixed feelings on this one, potentially interested in more from this genre (NOT the velvet underground though)
Audible
I really liked this album - very pleasantly surprised!
First song was a banger, slightly slower from then on
OK, but got a bit wearing through the course of the album.
Beautiful ephemeral pop that I could listen to on loop forever. Couldn’t tell if the lyrics were in English 95% of the time, and I didn’t care. What a great layered, wall of sound album. 3⭐️
3.5
Real big “oh it’s that song” from this album.
This record has a nice ethereal/dream-like aesthetic to it, which I can dig. Overall, not bad. Favorite track: I Wear Your Ring
In short bits it borders on magic. But in the end I don’t really love the overall sound. And I often tire half way through a song. I prefer the darker “Treasure” to this one.
I really loved the opening track and thought this would be on its way to a 4 or 5 star album for me. But, I found it to be a bit lackluster. I either loved a song or I found it to be pretty meh. About 50/50 on tracks I enjoyed or didn't. Solid 3 for me.
There is a certain airy-ness permeating throughout the record. I like that aspect, and I really enjoy the lovely vocals of Elizabeth Fraser. While this is not something I’d go out of my way to spin, I respect the craftsmanship. https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-heaven-or-las-vegas?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
Not for me. Really boring pop. I don’t know why anyone would need to hear this seems basic to me.
good vibes but didnt click
A solid project with great production. I'm not sure what to say about the songwriting, the songs are cloudlike and trying to hold them is impossible. I like the sound but nothing about the project resonated with me.
This whole album is the soundtrack to a film about high school in the 80s. It’s certainly listenable and it isn’t too long. The singers accent provides both interesting new ways to pronounce stuff and songs where I don’t understand a word; it’s kinda great to listen to, and the singing is more than good enough to compliment the dreamy/wandering music. I think it’s mostly a good listen, but the style would get old fast with any more time spent on it consecutively. By the end I was thinking this was Enya singing over rejected REM songs.
Musically this is decent. Vocally I’m not feeling it. It sort of has a more upbeat, 80’s style Enya sound. It also has a less poppy Abba sound as well. I can’t exactly plug this album into a specific music category. It doesn’t seem radio friendly. It’s not elevator music or department store music. Maybe for a yoga class??? Choice cut: I Wear Your Ring
Cherry-Coloured Funk 2.8 Pitch the Baby 2.5 Iceblink Luck 3 Fifty-Fifty Clown 2.8 Heaven or Las Vegas 3 I Wear Your Wing 3 Fotzepolitic 2.8 Wolf in the Breast 3 Road, River and Rail 2.7 Frou-Frou Foxes in Midsummer Fires 2.6 Score: 2.82
Thoughts before listening: I have noticed a recent surge in this album being mentioned as a major influence on modern musicians. I do not remember that being the case in the 90s and 00s, so its interesting that a newer generation has latched on to this. From my perspective, I have heard of Cocteau Twins, but I always dismissed them as new wave pop that wouldn't be for me. This will be a first listen. Review: So I can definitely hear a lot of this sound in some of the more recent dream pop bands like Beach House. This is better than I was expecting and is definitely more than just an 80s new wave also ran. There is a lot of effective moodiness to these songs and I enjoy the vocals. Not necessarily the type of music I'd typically be drawn to, but its enjoyable all the same. 3-stars
Maybe it's one of them i get later on but they all blend into one for me
El sonido atmosférico etéreo de Cocteau Twins adquiere en este disco ciertas dosis de experimentación (sin exagerar, eso sí) consiguiendo uno de sus mejores trabajos. Y lo hacen desde el primer tema, "Cherry-Coloured Funk", un compendio temático surrealista aparentemente sin sentido y repelto de sensualidad. Destacan otros temas por su hermosura melódica sobrevolando la estupenda voz de Liz Fraser, como "Fifty-Fifty Clown", o la canción que da título al álbum, "Heaver or Las Vegas" con unos preciosos coros. También me gusta bastante el tema con el que cierra el disco, el contundente "Frou Frou Foxes in Midsummer Fires".
Pleasant 80s indie guitar jangle with nonsense lyrics. What's not to like?
Given this project's fascination with semi-obscure Scottish and Welsh artists, I figured it was just a matter of time before we got the Cocteau Twins, although I'm a bit surprised there are two of their albums in this collection, given how..niche...their sound is. I had a musician friend in high school who was absolutely obsessed with the band, and he played their weirdly ethereal music *all* the time (he was also obsessed with Stanley Jordan's two-handed guitar tapping, in addition to the standard death metal lineup, so it wasn't really 24/7 Cocteau Twins, even though it often seemed like it). I think this was more of their "Treasure" era music than this album, but it always felt like they were what The Cure kind of wanted to be if they didn't care about being accessible or popular. And even with "Heaven or Las Vegas", this still seems to be true, although perhaps more Cranberries-like than Cure-like, and there are definitely hints of more mainstream tunes ("Pitch the baby" a great example, also "Heaven or Las Vegas"), if you could only understand or even make out the lyrics amongst the lush wall of sounds (I'm really impressed that watching her lips in the videos doesn't seem to help *at all* in understanding what she's singing). I always enjoyed small bits of the Cocteau Twins back in the 80s, and I think that still holds true today.
I never really cared for the sort of dreamy pop of the late 80s / 90s but this is probably the best version of it. Still, It says a lot that there were a few songs where I didn't think they were singing in English but I didn't really care enough to figure it out. Lovely female vocals I associate with this style (think Kate Bush or Sundays or even Human League). I'd play this album as background music if I had a yacht and was inviting a bunch of strangers over for cocktails.
Airy and ethereal, every instrument is drenched in flange, phaser, chorus, reverb, or all of the above. Lyrics are impossible to understand for me, as the vocals are just as wet. Of course, after looking them up, they don't make any freaking sense anyway. Overall, pretty pleasant to listen to, but just a bit over-layered, which makes it sound jumbled.
I've always felt like I'm the kind of person that would love Cocteau Twins, but have never listened to them very actively. It was... nice. Didn't blow me away, but it was great focus music and I enjoyed it more the more I listened. I guess I have to listen even more now.
If you’re already a fan of these guys I guess this is fantastic. If you’re not is pretty uninteresting. Like Bjork, the music is kinda cool but I don’t understand a damned word.
Mjög ljúfir tónar.
Maybe one day I will appreciate this band more. Today is not that day. 3/5
Decent
Seemed nice as background music. Floaty.
This sounds like if ABBA went "scene." That's not a criticism. It's simultaneously polished and alt. It pulls off a vibe I don't really want in a way that works, but I'm not really going to seek this out in the future.
Would've been nice to have heard the instruments, or anything actually
This makes me want to ride a bus around Tokyo or somewhere lit up at night. I don't know how to expand on that feeling.
An album that's easy to listen to and quite nice throughtout. Great vocals. However, the songs are quite immemorable, I don't remember a single song after listening to the entire album twice.
Paar nummers geluisterd, maar had geen tijd voor meer. Apart album.
3/5
80s girlie prog pop. Some interesting moments but tending towards the forgettable at times
Nice background music
I always like songs that make good use of stereo; either blatant like in 'Cherry-Coloured Funk' where it plays a different melody in each channel for a kind of counterpoint, or more subtly in traditional 4-piece band settings to aid in separation of instruments. It's definitely for a certain vibe. Otherwise, it's just fine
Most of it is fuzzy and non memorable but my god. Cherry coloured funk has been copied stolen, and reworked for the past 30+ years so. Well done Cocteau twins.
Hypnotic. 3.
Hypnotic. Personal enjoyment: 3/5 Relevance to this list: 4/5
Very airy vibey ‘80s album. Not exactly my favorite style but it’s well don.
3 Stars. I liked it a lot for having now familiarity with it. There were a lot of times in this album that a part of a song came up and started nodding my head. Glad to have listened!
Really enjoyable. This feels like it could come out today with no problem. I was really jamming with the first half of the album, but the back half fell off a bit for me. This is almost a 4 star album, but I think it's going to stay as a 3.
Sonically this is great. Otherwise, I hate it. It is more like proto-Britney Spears than the origins of shoegaze.
There are a number of songs on here that I'd enjoy getting in a playlist, but an entire album of this dreamscape type sound wore out its welcome
Bueno
This is okay--I enjoy Cocteau Twins, but they don't really make too much of a dent.
It sounded fine but, as ethereal as dream pop is, I have forgotten nearly everything I heard now that a night has passed.
Not bad. Lovely voice. Would be interesting to hear her sing real words.
Started off hating it, the first track was just annoying, no real content to it. After that it started to get better and by the end I was actually enjoying it - in a "nostalgic, sound of the 80's" way. It made me think that maybe you have to get into the right mood to enjoy it, so I listened to track 1 again - it was still fucking awful though! Overall, better than I was expecting.
If ABBA went to space... 3
Their sound is clearly from the early 90s UK push into mainstream radio
Ok I guess for an early early drive to the airport
This album would be amazing if produced in 2024, it's difficult to appreciate all the layers to it
Dream pop, is that really a thing? It does have a dreamy sound, nice background for a nap.
I like the vocals 3.5
My first thought was 'this can't be true. I don't need to hear this'. Then I saw how popular every song on this album is on my streaming service. Now I'm excited to listen to this band I've largely ignored over the past 40 years. And.... if this is the music you like it's a great album. I wasn't too into it, but I understand how people are. I found myself perking up at the songs I was familiar with, and then not really caring about the ones I wasn't. Good album, just not for me. 3.5
This is an odd one, I mean, is it French? Is it abba-esque?! I spent the whole listen being unsure about the whole thing but also sort of enjoying it.
3/4
I enjoyed this more than I expected. 3
This was enjoyable. Never heard of the Cocteau Twins until today.
I wasn't sure what this was going to be, but I was pleasantly surprised by the chill nature of the music.
mid
it was better than others
Like the first track- cherry-colored funk 😃 Really enjoying it. Not something I’d put on all the time. Vocals are great. Sounds summery
Decent, easy-listening, slightly out of mainstream pop
It's not a bad album, but I just don't see myself seeking it out again in the future.
wasn’t amazing. wasn’t terrible. twas just ok.
I had heard of this band, but never heard them. I like it but it came out a few years too late I reckon.
56/100
Didn't grab me, but it's nice.
Holy reverb Batman! Seems like they should to turn that down a bit, or not rely on it so heavily. It takes over the album. From reading reviews, it seemed people either loved or hated this album, and I fell somewhere in between. It's definitely a unique album, but it was hard me for to really get into this. 3/5
Nja. Helt ok, men inte mer. Försökte lyssna en andra gång men kände "meh, nä"
Trivsam lyssning men inte så värst mycket mer än så för min del. Börjar riktigt bra med Cherry-coloured funk, men därefter är det rätt slätstruket.
Call it dream pop or shoegaze, but neither label completely fits. They're a bit too muddled to be completely dreamy and a bit too light to be shoegaze. It feels like being pulled between the earth and sky, or as they've aptly named it, 'Heaven or Las Vegas'. The clear highlight is Elizabeth Fraser's vocals but the music also has an unusual quality to it, like a daydream you can't quite wake up (no matter how much you might want to) from on a mild afternoon. There's a mild discomfort about it but also a temptation to lie back and let it wash over you. It's hard to say how much I actually like it, but is growing on me.
Interesting. Good vibes, but I could not tell one song from another.
felt like a transition from 80s to 90s. Liked more as the album went on. Good vibe.
Silly made up language, interesting shoegazey noisescape, are they Scottish? I can't tell. Fine when played at low volumes int he background while something more interesting is happening
Heaven or Las Vegas is a really cool song, gives strong Twin Peaks vibes. Turns out it was an influence for the music there, which makes sense. The rest of the album is ok, easy to get lost in, but not nearly as memorable as the title track. I also liked Cherry-Coloured Funk.
Not conviced their singing in a legit language. It's like that song from the 60s where that Italian bloke sang a song to sound like English but it was all just gibberish.
This album shows up on so many lists that I was excited to finally listen to it. The lyrics are unintelligible and the music was entirely forgettable. Very disappointing.
Never heard of this before, but it was pretty good.
It was alright, nothing about it really grabbed me though
I’d be lying if I ever claimed I knew what Cocteau Twins were ever on about. I just know that I’ve always been a big fan of Elizabeth Fraser’s voice. There were a handfull of their songs that I really liked - The Spangle Maker (1984), Aikea-Guinea (1985) - but generally speaking in the record shop I worked in, each of their albums, as it was released, was like aural wallpaper. It didn’t matter that I didn’t get a handle on them, because Fraser’s voice was sublime & her approach to singing was unique. A bit like Kate Bush with no boundaries. It was her vocal on This Mortal Coil’s cover of Tim Buckley’s Song To A Siren(1983 & one of the greatest covers of all time) that I never tire of hearing. So by the time Heaven Or Las Vegas was released, I was used to the Cocteau Twins. For me, this album was more wallpaper - classy & her voice was as good as ever. I do love Wolf In The Breast.
Estos discos siempre estuvieron en mi lista de la compra en su época, pero eran difíciles de encontrar en las tiendas de música que tenía a mano y pedirlos por correos no recuerdo que fuera posible. Desconozco si eran tiradas muy cortas o solo eran de importación. Hasta que no llegó el digital no pude disfrutarlos. Entiendo que habrá gente que no los aprecie, es un sonido y unas vocalizaciones muy particulares. Para guardar: "Cherry-Coloured Funk", "Iceblink Luck" y "Heaven or Las Vegas".
Love the vibes of this album, it creates such a dreamlike atmosphere. It feels very 80s. I have no idea what they're saying most of the time, but it sounds cool regardless.
This album had me questioning if I spoke English at times. Why did it sound like it would drift into japanese or something. I'm pretty sure it was all English. Who knows.
This is a hard review for me because the genre the Cocteau Twins operates in is my main go to. So there are two things to consider. I have a huge pool of artists floating around to consider, and most of them I view as having "this song" or "that song" I really love, and don't dig deep into their playlists. Also, those I have dug deep on are really quite special to me for whatever reason and I have been swimming in their pools for a long time. I have been viewing the Cocteau Twins mainly from the first pool, and LOVE a few of their songs. On the other hand, after a full album listen, I can see that I could get into this band enough to maybe consider putting them into my first pool after all. It may take a bit of a deeper plunge is all.
Begint met bekend nummer en ik vind het wel een lekker geluid maar het kan niet het hele album m’n aandacht vasthouden.
Heard of them but don't know any of these songs... Standouts: Icebrink Luck, Heaven or Las Vegas 3.5
She has a good voice and there are a few we'll written tracks but by and large this is mediocre.
This was ho hum for me. I did not really enjoy the mixture of English and random other languages that happen to sound good in the song, but did not have an applicable meaning in English.
wasn't familiar with artist or album, so expectations were quite low. overall I was pleasantly surprised. maybe I was just in a good mood today, but even though it is not my usual style it made for some nice background music. did give up trying to understand the lyrics tho & just focused on music. solid 2.5
I liked this more than Treasure, has a more interesting sound.
Again, fine. Kind of like Abba on downers.
My mom problem love ever note of this album. It's got some nostalgic vibes to it because it sounds like things I heard as a kid. Definitely has that Wilson Phillips sound to it but with a synth pop/post-punk/new wave flavor
Bettter than first Cocteau Twins album. Chill, electronic, original, a little weird.
a dreamy, soundscapey pop album from the Cocteau Twins, who I never really got into. The instrumentals are pretty nice here - they’re lush and have that floaty vibe to it. The vocals aren’t as enjoyable. Sometimes they add to the floating, sometimes they pull me back down. Plus I have no idea what they’re saying. Overall, it’s fine - don’t love or hate it. Some moments are pretty pleasurable but also can get a bit boring or just feel like it’s missing something. Or maybe it’s me who’s missing something…there are aspects of this that make me want to revisit, but the music just leaves me wanting something more.
Not having heard of this group, I was kind of dreading it. I figured it'd be some sort of loud screaming or something. It was actually kind of pleasant and relaxing.
Scottish Wilson Phillips singing in Simlish.
3,5!
Ok
more on a pop vibe than i thought it would be . i liked it
cocteau twins made some of the most heavenly music ever created with electric instruments and voice - and then they made this slightly shimmery restaurant music
Hard to rate. There were moments I was really into a song and other moments where it just didn't click. The singing was so different than most, I can't tell if I liked it or didn't.
Interesting and worth a listen
Really nice and interesting sound. Just came across Cocteau Twins and I am a fan.
3.2
A couple of songs were ok.
Smooth and poppy - very nice new wave album. The title track was by far my favorite.
Incomprehensible Sims radio music
This album wasn't all that bad actually. Has a very nice 90s sound to it and in a weird way kinda reminds me of a (not as good) Cranberries. I've definitely heard worse. 6/10
Dream pop - quite appropriate as listening to this made me want to sleep. Not unpleasant, but didn't grab my attention.
5/10
Dreamy, poppy, vibes.
These lyrics are supposed to be their MOST intelligible yet?
Not my cup of tea
I really wanted to love this!
Texture muaic
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
Nice sound
Ethereal, vibey, beach housey but less depressing
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!
Pretty solid - 7/10
Okay, not amazing. Not very novel imo. 6/10
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
It didn't exactly tickle my pickle but I still enjoyed listening to this.
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.
Könnte man noch mal rein hören. Klang nicht schlecht.
Synth pop rock. Cool background music, but nothing super interesting. The vocals some times disappear in the mix.