Treasure

Aaaahhhh...the soothing sounds and driving beats of the Cocteau Twins, an 80s gem. I love them, and have fantasized about them opening for Echo & The Bunnymen in a small venue. Treasure is a dark, melodic journey and an album for many moods. It is a dreamy night drive album, but my first listen today was in the morning while sipping on Kenyan coffee and staring at the snow covered trees. Such a beautiful compliment to the squinting brightness and unknown of the day. And yet, it was even better on tonight's crisp trail walk...magically mesmerizing, with each song steering my mind and eyes into the mysteries of the wintery night. This record is an ethereal piece of art with not one reason to hit fast-forward on the tape deck. As a staple in our car tape cases back in high school, Treasure's A-side is still so strong (Lorelei & her friends) that it begs us to flip to B and keep driving until Donimo floats us home. (or to the river to float away from everything...)

This is such a beautiful and original album. There was nothing like it before it came out, and, even though the band wasn't that happy with it saying that it sounds unfinished, that might be the thing that made it so perfect. Wonderfully layered with the two voices weaving in and out and around each other, the music here floats like a wispy cloud, but the more you listen to it, the more you hear. Absolutely brilliant. For many, it will take several listens to get it, but be patient and you will.

My kind of music! I'm an absolute slut for both shoegaze/dream pop and goth. Love the ethereal vibes, angelic voice and nonsensical lyrics (or is it Scottish?). I have no idea why I never bothered to check out Cocteau Twins before. Incredible. People who don't like this are weak. Sorry, I don't make the rules.

I thank this project for introducing me to Cocteau Twins. I have now listened to the entire discography and am left in awe of every record, this is no exception. Beautiful.

Keep this treasure buried

This was ethereal and mythology heavy and beautiful. Persephone, Donimo, Pandora, all of it is great.

I have no idea what any of those lyrics were. Listened to this using vintage Beyer headphones from the 80s. Sometimes things just make you stop and let the rain get you wet to the skin. Wonderful. So very wonderful.

Not sure what it was, but the angelic vocals and the large stadium sound, great run time, made for a great dream pop album. The vibe was amazing.

Forty-two minutes of Elizabeth Fraser moaning into the mic while the guys whist some chords together. A defining 80s sound and pretty original, but not very exciting and lacked range. Enjoyed very few parts. 3/5

All the songs sound the same

Beautiful, dark, romantic, and ethereal. This is one of my favorite albums, with masterpieces from start to finish. Frazer speaks in a mixture of English, Latin, and Gaelic among others, using the beauty of language as the primary instrument itself. The guitars echo and create a wave of noise that create space in this otherworldly reality her music is set in. It's optimistic but cold in a gothic romanticized manner. There are some dance tracks like "Lorelai", some emotionally dramatic tracks like "Persephone" or "Amelia", and some that put you in an neverending trance like "Pandora." The simplicity of the song titles, minimal instrumentation, and lack of sensical lyrics place an emphasis on the organized structures of the songs and their linked coherency. It doesn't follow any form of conventional pop structure, so you never know where the song's headed next, but you're pulled in every second. Second half moves into more unconventional, intricate ambient compositions. "Aloysius" is melancholic, calm while still dramatic. "Cicely" is the hardest and coldest song on the album, marked by fast rhythmic drum beats and wailing guitars. "Otterley" is characterized by whipsers and the sound of waves on an eery and desolate beach, haunted by ghosts and sirens. We end with the angelic and satisfying "Donimo", a gorgeous teary closer. I agree with this track ordering, although I could see how some could lose focus in these last few. I find it to be flawless from start to finish, and one I revisit for all sorts of occasions.

As it turns out, they are not actually twins and there’s 3 people in this band. Talk about false advertising. I kid, but I always kind of wondered if there were actual twins in this band. There aren’t, but, I swear*, I’m not going to let that have an effect on my review. Treasure is an enjoyable, ahead of its time dream-pop record. Its influence on modern indie is undeniable. If you’re a Stereolab fan, like me, I think you’ll find quite a few similarities between the ‘Lab and Cocteau Twins, especially on a track like “Pandora (for Cindy)”. (Full Disclosure: I’m partially hoping that a positive rating and Stereolab mention will bump up Stereolab in the generator’s recommendation queue for my account) Like a lot of British indie/underground of the 80’s, Treasure is a little overly dramatic and maudlin sounding, but makes up for it with interestingly layered vocals and beautiful guitar work. A thoroughly enjoyable 4 out of 5. *Deducted 1 star for not having any twins in the band

👍

Had this album on constant play back in the 80s, but I hadn't revisited the whole thing in probably 30 years. Absolutely lovely, one of the great albums of that era. I agree with those who say that some of the technological aspects of this album's sound seem a bit dated. But you can't argue with that vibe, which sounds rather timeless. Darkly lovely, exotic and ethereal music. Gorgeous, haunting arrangements and one of the most striking uses of vocals I've ever heard. This is an outstanding album by one of the most unique and influential bands in music, arguably their best. Fave Songs (All songs, from most to least favorite): Persephone, Beatrix, Lorelei, Otterley, Donimo, Pandora (for Cindy), Aloysius, Amelia, Ivo, Cicely

Dreamy! Amazing textures, arresting vocals, interesting melodies and harmonies

The atmosphere on this album is unique and fantastic. A magnificent cross between their more gothic side and their more dream pop side. The timbre of the instruments is always particularly well put together to accompany this voice and these distinct words. This album is a nice breath of fresh air despite being dark. Absolutely love it.

fuck yeah !!!! i love the cocteau twins. don’t understand a word they say but god bless them ❤️ best of the best: lorelai, beatrix, ivo

A lot of people seem to think dream pop is quiet background music but this sorta thing should be played loud for you to pick up on all the lush details here and let it rush all over you. Anyways, this Aussie is happy to be back and gives this album four bags of Burger Rings out of five.

This album has such a fucking vibe, and I'm so here for it. I can only imagine how fucking awesome it must've been to be at the club in 1984 as something from this album took the speakers. It reminds me of a darker, more adult version of AURORA because Fraser's voice is so etheral and she uses her own made up language. Only the outdated drum machine (Persephone suffers from this one) is kind of an issue together with some mastering that seems slightly rushed, but somehow it just adds to the vibe. Really torn on this one, 4 or 5. Lorelei is such a jammer. Though I don't think about half of the songs are going to age very well to me, and just begin sounding weird at some point. Like Aloysius, which is already annoying after two listens. I think this album is a very strong 4. Truly a treasure.

A beautiful album. Really love the drums thumping out in a really mad way over these beautiful delicate tracks

My best friend is probably the biggest Cocteau Twins fan I will ever meet and formally introduced them to me last year. I can't tell you how many nights I've spent with him on one of our couches or in one of our cars stoned out of our mind just disassociating to "Lorelei" and more songs from Heaven or Las Vegas. This album just brought about some good memories. While this is certainly their second best album and coming into it I only really knew "Lorelei" and the general sound of the band, I did enjoy this album. I found some tracks I like that I haven't heard before like "Pandora (For Cindy)" that were really good. All in all this was a great album to get blazed and vibe out so hard to.

I've heard of this band but that's it - always had it in my head that it's old school electronica for hipsters. I'm expecting similar feelings to Depeche mode in that half my friends and bands I like dig it, but I won't care. Baseline 3/5. Ok, it's not really electronica (beyond obvious drum machine) but I got the hipster part right. Initial thoughts are "accessible Kate Bush". Guitars well produced, the acoustic tones are lovely. Singing is nice, well harmonised etc. I dig the lack of expected song structures, it doesn't throw convention completely out the door but it kinda blurs the line between verse and chorus, and that's cool. Songwriting is consistent, if a little samey. The drums though, wtf. A few songs in they started to get really jarring, it sounds like midi drums from a $50 Casio keyboard. At times the drums are all you can hear - they didn't even try to hide the shit. Overall I probably won't listen to the whole thing ever again, but this wasn't a horrible experience by any means. The first song in particular was a standout, might make its way into a playlist. And if they'd used real drums I might have even given it a 4. 3/5.

Start is a bit fuckin weird and meandering. Track 1 alternates between beautiful & haunting and flat out annoying as fuck Lorelei is pretty good Beatrix is creepy and interesting Persephone is bluesy and heavy. Twin peaks roadhousey Pandora is dream pop incarnated. Gorgeous Donimo closer is solid beautiful melancholy. I haven’t understood a single goddamn word on this album. The album got off to a weak start—Ivo is one of the most annoying tracks I’ve heard. Ended up being a sweet, eery melancholy great dream pop album. A great pick to put on a night road trip. Gives me vibes of late nights before the sleep takes over just before the sun rises.

Not for everyone…

Not really my style. Lovely ethereal voice and distorted guitar to listen to in small doses 80’s Scot band

Another style my kids cannot abide. I've got plenty of time for Cocteau majesty in its highlights, but this was a tough sell today

Super 80s. Loved Pandora but was underwhelmed by most of the rest of the album..

80's UK Alt Rock... a little bit lighter of lighter listening, some orchestral sounding songs. Not really any BANGERS.... 2-3 stars

Bit airy fairy meh

There's nothing to object to. But nothing i want to hear, either.

This is such a mess. Musically, vocally, and production-wise this band sound like they could do so much better but they somehow landed on this atrocity. There's no other way to describe it than a mess, it confuses my ears. Someone dropped all the elements of a decent album, and lost the instructions on how to put it back together, so we end up with all this disjointed dissonant nastiness.

Me and the 1001 albums guy have drastically different ideas about "must hear before I die"

Wonderful

magical pretty

!!!! this is so good can’t believe I’ve never listened to this album before. dreamy, soft, magical + feels really ahead of its time. this album really relaxed me and made me v happy :) also the songs had cool names too

Their best imo.

The dream

Different than all the music I've ever heard. Not my style, but would enjoy listening to it once in a while

Isn't it too dreamy?

Awesome listen. Ethereal indeed.

Insane but really good

This the Best album of shoegaze in all! Persephone - the fairest

Still being copied by beach house to this day

je fais une mega remontada dans mes reviews et il y a beaucoup d'albums qualitatifs ce qui présage un effrayant creux musical très bientôt

??????

Spooky shenanigans that undeniably slap.

toma no teu cu felizali

Not really listened to the Cocteau Twins before - although Lorelei must have popped on Spotify as I'd liked it. This was a lovely album to listen to - really dreamy. Loved everything about it.

19/08/2022 Cocteau Twins – Treasure 4.5/5 Great surprise! I hadn’t heard about Cocteau Twins before, but their impact in dream pop and the influence they have accomplished in other musicians is quite clear after listening to this album. It has been like exploring the ancient foundation documents of an established civilization. I really liked the music of the band: the ethereal sounds, the experimentation with sound and singing, and the voice of the vocalist, Elizabeth Fraser (that I also discovered is the singer in “Song of the Siren” of The Mortal Coil); that is almost celestial. The only bad thing about the album, in my opinion, is the bad production and low quality of the sound of the tracks, so it is better enjoyed with headphones. Ivo – 5/5 Great guitars, great ambience, great voice. It creates a great atmosphere of mystery and etherealness. My favourite track of the album. Lorelei – 3.5/5 I’m surprised of how you can create such a complex sound landscape with so little production and not too many instruments. Still a bit dissonant in my opinion. Beatrix – 4/5 “Kate Bush meets Egypt” vibes. I really like how each song creates its own atmosphere, transferring you to different environments. Persephone – 4.5/5 A more “rockish” song, closer to what The Cranberries did in the 90’s. Elizabeth knows how to work with her voice in different contexts, giving different textures and sounds. Pandora (for Cindy) – 5/5 The mixture of different sounds the band creates in this song is perfect, not going anywhere too complicated. Again, a highlight for Elizabeth. Amelia – 3.5/5 This song doesn’t work for me as the others, but it is still good creating a different atmosphere. Aloysius – 4.5/5 Love the guitars in this song. Not any more to say, but I loved it. Cicely – 3/5 Probably my least liked song, but not because of its flaws, but because I don’t really connect with the ambience it creates. Otterley – 4/5 It sounds more like an interlude that anything else. But it accomplishes a very relaxing and evolving atmosphere, almost like you are underwater. Donimo – 4/5 Good ending track, and a great conclusion to the album.

I don't know how to describe this album but I enjoyed a lot the mysticism around all songs. Also, the voice in all the song are just part of the music, that's why the lyrics aren't too complex.

Such a nice overall vibe, nice production, lyrics, instrumental - Masterpiece.

Masterpiece

According to Elizabeth Frazer, what words sound like is more important than what they actually mean, which might explain why she uses non-words and foreign language words that she doesn’t know the meaning of in her songs. Looking up her lyrics on any of the wiki-lyric sites a good way to get your daily smile. I love the 4 songs that start with Lorelei – Pandora (for Cindy) being the standout, for me, but the Souxsie and the Banshees-like guitar in Persephone is great too. My co-judge says that this doesn’t sound dated at all and I agree. There has been a lot of dream pop/ethereal/shoe gaze/downtempo recorded over the 3+ decades since, but in 1984, this was pretty unique, and it still is.

Yuuuuuusssssssss! Beautiful! Let me full-on disassociate out of this world, leave my body, and drift through the halcyon swirls of Elizabeth Fraser's voice. Fave track - "Lorelei" is arresting, "Donimo" is a lovely sign off, but really this is a Whole Album kinda thing....

So dreamy. Strangely Ivo doesn't really capture me but once Lorelei kicks in I fall in love all over again.

Nice psychedelic, ethereal sound

This is simple. It's one of the greatest albums of all time, in my opinion and to my ears. When my first child was born I gave my wife a list of Cocteau Twins songs to choose from and so "Lorelei" is her middle name. A sweeping, storming wall of sonic perfection. I have no idea what she is singing about but it doesn't matter. It's genius. 10/5

Imagine the nightmares this must have caused back in 1984. Who was ready for this?! Almost 40 years after its release Treasure still sounds completely otherworldly. An ethereal journey from start to finish. Glad this isn’t the only Cocteau Twins album on this list!

cool

otherworldly, the sound of angels come to earth

Absolutely incredible artistry that is equally as haunting and beautiful as it is unique. I can feel this becoming a quick favorite. These songs push the boundaries of the common verse/chorus/verse song structure and are almost completely unintelligible, but still feel warm and inviting. I might be going out on a limb here, but I'm getting the same chilling and avant-garde vibes that bands like Pink Floyd created before and on the other side, bands like The Mars Volta carried over into the aughts. I'm sold. Man... I just love this project so much. As cheesy as it sounds, there is so much beautiful music to be discovered and this just made my whole damn week.

OMG ik hou echt van zo een muziek. Ik geef het een (zeer nipte) 5

Incredible

5/5. Beautiful and ethereal. Great dream pop. There is a driving sense to each song, making me feel like I'm walking toward an end goal only leave me hanging, wanting more. There is definitely some Latin American influence in some of these songs which they use to great effectiveness. Although it is sitting at a 4.5/5 for me, I'm bumping it up for the beautiful nature.

I don't know why, but this one really got me. With the other record on this list, I was somewhat impressed, but I think this one just plain did a better job at the attempted sound.

One of the titans of dream pop. This album is simply gorgeous, psychedelic and warm while also evoking a sense of mystery and melancholy.

This is excellent, better than Heaven or Las Vegas which I’m a lot more familiar with. This is a one I can see myself listening to a lot more: it really nails that whole dream pop/shoe gaze sound, while still having lots of interesting things going on around it. Especially on Lorelei, Pandora, and Cicely. There’s a couple of tracks that didn’t do a lot for me, but even after a few more listens they started to grow (Otterley, Amelia). Would give this a 4.5 but gonna round up to a 5

"Treasure" is the third studio album by Scottish alternative rock band Cocteau Twins. This is the album where the band totally embraced their ethereal sound. I liked the genre descriptions of ethereal wave and dream pop. It's also the album where they locked in their core members of vocalist Elizabeth Fraser, guitarist Robin Guthrie and bassist Simon Raymonde. Commercially, it hit #29 in the UK and was critically well received. A strumming guitar and bass begin "Ivo." Fraser's heavenly voice comes in and then another Fraser voice enters and we get their signature layered vocals. A good song which gets better in the next song "Lorelei." No, not a Styx cover song. Bells ringing and guitar sounding like an ambulance. The main vocals are higher with the backing vocals lower. One of their best songs. "Persephone" has an electric drum beat and a rock, slashing guitar...very 80's post punk sounding. It's dramatic and hypnotic. Fraser almost screaming. "Amelia" is haunting. A melodic, dark guitar. A slower beat. We even get a guitar solo. The mix on "Aloysius" is louder and cleaner. A lighter guitar. A nice song. A church-like organ opens the closer "Donimo." There's a church sounding choir. The song picks up a beat and it's intensity increases. Maybe, Fraser's best song vocally. This is a very good album. Each song creates an atmosphere and is unique within a dreamy and chill framework. The guitar sets the tone. Fraser's layered vocals are an instrument in and of themselves. A high recommendation.

Shoegazing tai shoegaze on vaihtoehtorockin tyylisuuntaus, joka kehittyi Isossa-Britanniassa 1980-luvun loppupuolella. Tyylisuunnan nimi viittaa esiintyjien usein poissaolevaan olemukseen ja soittajien efektipedaaleihinsa keskittymiseen. paska termi mutta insane albumi.. dreampop synthpop gossameresque type heat... 80-luku indie älkää koskaan, älkää koskaan sanotko että ei objektive... suoraa vitosta tästä KYLLÄ PYSTYY TEHÄ...jos hyvää musiikkia on...ei tässä mitään ennakkoluuloja pidetä heh... suurin osa vaan on paskaa... ei voi mitään... en kuullukkaan artistista, tälläsiä tarttee että motivaatio pysyy projektissa persephone

Treasure" is the third studio album by the Scottish dream pop band Cocteau Twins, released in 1984. It's widely regarded as one of the band's most iconic and influential works, representing a significant moment in the evolution of dream pop and alternative music. Musical Style and Atmosphere: "Treasure" is characterized by its ethereal and otherworldly sound. The band's signature elements are prominently featured, including Elizabeth Fraser's distinctive and enchanting vocals, Robin Guthrie's lush, reverb-soaked guitars, and Simon Raymonde's melodic basslines. The album is a showcase of the Cocteau Twins' ability to create an atmosphere that transports listeners to a dreamlike, transcendent realm. Lyrics and Themes: Cocteau Twins are known for their abstract and non-linear lyrics, and "Treasure" is no exception. Elizabeth Fraser's lyrics often feel like a form of glossolalia, focusing on the emotional impact of the sounds and phonetics rather than concrete meaning. This lyrical approach adds to the album's dreamlike quality, allowing the listener to interpret the songs in their own way. Standout Tracks: "Ivo": The album starts with this track, setting the tone for what's to come. The shimmering guitars, Fraser's enchanting vocals, and the hypnotic rhythm create a mesmerizing experience. "Persephone": This song is a perfect example of the band's ability to create aural landscapes. It's a sonic journey with hauntingly beautiful vocal melodies and intricate guitar work. "Lorelei": "Lorelei" is one of the album's highlights, with its catchy and memorable melody. Fraser's vocals are particularly captivating here. "Pandora (For Cindy)": A more experimental track, "Pandora" demonstrates the band's willingness to push the boundaries of their sound. It features intriguing vocal techniques and ethereal atmospheres. Production and Instrumentation: Robin Guthrie's production on "Treasure" is noteworthy. He uses heavy reverb and delay to create a spacious, otherworldly ambiance. The layering of sounds, from the intricate guitar work to the multiple vocal tracks, contributes to the album's rich, textured sound. The minimal use of traditional percussion instruments helps maintain the dreamy quality of the music. Influence and Legacy: "Treasure" has had a profound impact on the dream pop and shoegaze genres. Its unique and innovative approach to music has inspired countless artists. Bands like My Bloody Valentine, Sigur Rós, and Beach House owe a debt to Cocteau Twins and their pioneering work on this album. In conclusion, "Treasure" by Cocteau Twins is a masterpiece of dream pop and an essential album for anyone interested in ethereal, atmospheric, and emotionally evocative music. It remains a landmark in the band's discography and the dream pop genre as a whole. The album's dreamlike soundscapes and Elizabeth Fraser's unique vocals combine to create a truly magical listening experience that has left a lasting impact on the world of alternative and indie music.

love

10/10 Cocteau Twins has gotta be one of my favorite shoegaze bands

You want to know what hides behind the subgenre 'dream pop'? Well, here you have it. 'Treasure' is the most well-known example of this genre that gave people of the late 80s and then 90s room to breathe in this new world why also highlighting the mysterious aspects of it. It is no wonder why songs of this album got often used in films (like 'Lorelei' in 'Mysterious Skin'). Listen to this!

Superb. Ghost like dream scapes

It's a shame most people hear Heaven or Las Vegas first since it sets the standard so high for their other albums but there's something so fun about their one of a kind sound melding with more conventional songwriting devices that make this a super super fun listen for me :)

god i love cocteau twins

Strangely haunting. Really enjoyed this one. How would I even go about finding it on my own?

I really liked this one! Couldn't understand a single word of the lyrics but truly enjoyed the album.

Klang viel moderner als es ist

cocteau twins is a name i've heard but i don't know if i've ever experienced their music before this. really cool stuff. very atmospheric and the vocals are haunting. i could see myself absolutely falling in love with this album if i give it another few listens, but as it stands right now, i am extremely impressed. very compelling and stark. another album during this project that i had no idea what to expect and am just blown over!

album makes me feel like I'm a victorian girl locked in a dungeon about to die of the plague but it's cool cause I'm chillin though

The basis of all dreampop to follow - I love the fact that I listened to 40 minutes of blissful gibberish that Spotify refuses to attempt to transcribe into lyric sheets. And I loved it. Colour me an 80s kid.

You have to be in the mood. I was.

Here’s what it says

Gorgeous. Knew about them never heard them - and it was a treat of a record.

So good that I named a child after one of the songs.

I absolutely loved this. So dreamy, ethereal, and totally enveloping, with great vocals and guitar hooks. I’m definitely going to have to explore this band further!

I love Cocteau Twins, they are probably my favorite shoegaze band (if you would call them that). I love the sound of this album it is so ethereal, the singing is perfect, and there is so many great effects. Ivo is a great song and a great opener. Lorelei is one of my favorite Cocteau Twins songs and I love the stuttered breathing thing she does in the chorus. Persephone has a great guitar part. Pandora is such a pretty song and I refuse to believe that the lyrics are in English. Easy 5

Just gorgeous I adore the Cocteaus. That is all.

Shoegazey dream pop at its finest.

The cloudy, dreamy blanket of sound is a great gag that I enjoy from all of my heart. I can't name the different songs or how they differ, and I don't care. I still love this.

OMG! What a blast from the past. I absolutely love this album- 40 years old now. That makes me very very old ;-) Beautiful ethereal music- alternative rock and pre-shoegaze and post rock before those labels had been invented. One of the most special things to ever come out of Scotland.

Dream pop - subgenre of alternative rock and neo-psychedelia

not as good as holv but still great. more gothy, production is harsh

Tell you what's the fuckin bomb boys. This album. Wacky 3am listen for me but mamma mia. Why isn't it a 5 star album then I hear you say? Well, I was freaked out by it too.

A pretty decent album, I can see why it was so important to the scene.

false

Hell yes

Haha I love the Cocteau Twins! This album is good but not as good as Heaven or Las Vegas.

One of most original goth records from an underrated band