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...)

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.

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.

Keep this treasure buried

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.

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.

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

Think of the last scene of Blade Runner 2049. Now imagine lying in snow and bleeding. The red covers the white while the camera zooms out. ‘Treasure’ is that kind of an album.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

Treasure by Cocteau Twins (1984) This Scottish trio’s third album is colorful and weirdly soothing, but it’s not that good. Maybe you could give it a listen when you’re recovering from heart bypass surgery (I speak from experience). On this recording, lyrics are hidden in more ways that one. There is (1) a “fondness for idioglossia” (a medical condition in which words are so poorly articulated that speech is either unintelligible or appears to be a made-up language) as well as (2) a fondness for sprinkling in obscure references from a wide variety of relatively unknown tongues. There is plenty of debate as to what the lyrics even are, much less what they mean. This and the fact that they are quite subdued in the dreamy mix force the listener to rest content in only the musicality of the vocalizations, while suppressing a giggle or two. I mean, some of this gibberish is really laughable. In terms of sound, while it may be (and has been) described as ‘ethereal’ and ‘angelic’, what with its high reverb and wailing but sensitive soprano vocals, it’s more like Enya on Red Bull. And the drum machine that gives it that energy is highly artificial and mechanical. Both of these features have their pluses and minuses. Mostly minuses. No tracks stand out. They’re all equally pretentious. When two of the members of the trio later described this album as “an abortion” and “arty-farty pre-Raphaelite” (a pretty arty-farty expression itself), one feels comfortable listening to it once and rating it ‘one star’. 1/5

All the songs sound the same

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

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

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

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

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.

👍

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

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.

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!

The band that revolutionized Dream Pop with some of the best albums of the 80's and 90's. This album that the Cocteau Twins released 6 years before their most critically acclaimed album was already one of the most forward thinking albums of the first half of the 80's by combining the dreamy sounding guitars with ethereal sounds and some Goth Rock influences to create a dark and mysterious album full of atmosphere and psychedelic parts. One is thrown into the album with 'Ivo' which is a nice blend of the Dream Pop and Ethereal Wave which makes up most of the album but it also adds some elements from Psychedelic Folk music which is a pretty cool touch especially right at the start. Also, like most of the album, you don't understand a single word that is sung even if it is English but that doesn't matter as it just adds to the dreamy atmosphere. The song feels cryptic and strange and full of mystery which makes it a great intro to the album. The high pitched vocal hook is quite interesting but I wish they added more to it. The song is pretty good but with a lot of room for improvement which still makes it a pretty great song overall. It gets a little noisy on 'Lorelei' which adds some Shoegaze, Post-Punk and even more Psychedlia into the mix. The result is a mix between dark and dreamy instrumentals combined with vocals that feel surreal and other-wordly, almost like a night creature you find in a nightmare but in the best way possible. This song feels more focused and more like it gets the thing done that it wants to achieve. The result shows that as it is one of the best songs on the album, simply incredible. 'Beatrix' on the other hand adds some Neoclassical tones while being much more openly Pop. It feels anthemic and nearly operatic, full of atmosphere you'd expect to find in a church but more Goth, if you know what I mean. The song is really lovely and weirdly hypnotic and the way builds up in the second half is just amazing. It is a stunning song which is just absolutely incredible. It gets even more Goth and Post-Punk on 'Persephone' which means it gets even darker and the atmosphere here is unmatched. The vocals are quieter and feel like they come for much further away which gives the song a creepy distance between listener and artist. It is genuinely a great piece of music and easily one of the albums biggest highlights. A truely wonderful song full of psychedelic and stunning moments especially with the vocals. The albums first half ends with 'Pandora (For Cindy)' is again, very dreamy, very ethereal, very atmospheric but here it feels way more like this would be liked by a bigger sized audience. It isn't as creepy, it has a nice and relaxed melody and is performed like it somehow finalises something (Side 1 in this case). It's a great song but doesn't really reach the heights some other songs here have so far as it is a little longer and looses itself a little. On the second side, 'Amelia' introduces the themes that were established on the first half and here there is again a little more Goth Rock worked into the song. That results in it being instrumentally darker and more angsty with some of the rhythmn sections feeling very anxious which is only strengthend by some of the vocal parts. The track is simply amazing and just full of hypnotizing moments. 'Aloysius' breaks things a little up by adding some jangly guitars that serve as a little more standard melody but the ethereal drums and bass parts add the deserved atmosphere. It's a pretty decent song with some really good moments but in comparison it just feels like it falls a little short although the drums are really good. The slight industrial influences on 'Cicely' are pretty well made and do make up the most interesting parts of the song but overall the song just feels a little like it tries too hard which ends up hurting it a bit. It's still a pretty good song but it isn't one of my personal favourites by a long shot. But I do have to give some credit to the organ which is my second favourite thing about the song, sad that it appears only for a short time. The very Ambient and nearly New Age sounding 'Otterley' adds some very echoey vocals on a mix of laid back instruments and Field Recordings which give the whole thing an own atmospheric touch while still somehow working within the albums context. In fact, they way that it is structured makes it a pretty memorable song and it doesn't get boring at all. I actually think that it is one of the best moments on the entire album. 'Donimo' closes the album with the longest song the tracklist has to offer. It keeps some of the Ambient elements of before but actually adds all of the influences that other songs had as well. There is some Goth Rock, some Art Pop, some Neoclassical Darkwave, some Post-Punk and also some Industrial moments. The result is an amalgamation of what makes the album as a whole which happens to be fantastically enjoyable and one of the albums most diverse and interesting songs. favourites: Lorelei, Persephone, Beatrix, Amelia, Otterley, Donimo least favourites: Aloysius, Cicely, Pandora (For Cindy) Rating: decent to strong 8 https://rateyourmusic.com/~Emil_ph for more ratings, reviews and takes

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.

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.

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

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

Not for everyone…

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.

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.

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

Bit airy fairy meh

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

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

Kinda screachy

Oh I love this album. Wow. Third time (and being high) made everything click. Love the vocals, love the classic electronic drum sound, love the everything else in this album

No es un disco sencillo, de hecho puede llegar a sentirse bastante denso, pero desde la primera canción se nota el tremendo trabajo y genialidad escondida en su creación. Y no deja de crecer, cada canción se siente más envolvente y llena de misterios para descubrirle en cada escucha. Genial.

another band i really need to learn More About, but i remember most of this record surprisingly vividly from my spins years ago in the college dishroom. its difficult to isolate any One Part of cocteau twins music and what exactly its contributing besides the fact that the music would be emptier without it, it feels strangely and comfortingly inevitable in that way. fraser always sounds less like someone singing at u and more like a voice inside ur head, like ur remembering her rather than hearing her. compared to holv which im a lot more familiar with this is less anthemic and more esoteric...while not ofc being one bit less melodic, and the mysteries here are all inviting, like theres reason to believe there's benevolence behind them. kind of the best music ever lowkey

Adore this album. I don’t think it’s quite as ethereal as many would argue. Rather, I just think it’s elegant artsy pop, often with a great deal of propulsion to the programmed beat. Ms. Fraser’s timeless vocals always receive a lot of attention, and deservedly so, but there’s just so much here. The type of music that sounds like nobody before and everybody after.

Had this album on cassette tape in early 90s, with Heaven or Las Vegas on the flip side: both are timeless classics and two of the best pop albums made during 1980-90.

Still an amazing album. Dark and light at the same time. Cicely was, and still is, my favourite song.

I absolutely love a couple things about this album. 1. Our musicians are playing shoegaze before it was a thing. And they're doing an incredible job. 2. Our vocalist is spouting utter nonsense, but doing it so consistently with exquisite phrasing, that it has the form of lyrics without containing any linguistic content whatsoever. As a person who hears lyrics as music before I register that they're actually singing *words*, I consider the singing an amazing feat. If you were to grow music in a lab that was meant specifically for me, you couldn't do much better than the Cocteau Twins.

This one is a little hard to review as it’s a little unique to a degree. You’re kind of forced into just talking about how the vocals sound and the music itself, as lead vocalist Elizabeth Fraser sings in an entirely made up language. I’d love to say it’s a very daring choice to do so, but it seems to fit the music and production perfectly; adding an aura of total mystery to everything. It forces you to FEEL the music, while simultaneously adding to it. Her voice is dreamy, smooth, and ethereal as she hits high note after high note after high note with an unbelievably strong sense of melody and intensity. I was also surprised to learn, upon reading about this album, that the band aren’t very fond this release; regarding it as rushed and meaningless “arty-farty”. But at the same time they kind of admit defeat that people seem to like this album more than the others as it was their most successful. It really shows how sometimes there can be a pretty distinct disconnect between the audience and the artist. I myself am falling in line with the audience on this one. It may have been rushed, and it may not mean anything to the band. However, they have crafted a masterpiece here. Aside from the phenomenal vocals of Fraser, the music is just perfection. Gentle acoustic and electric guitars. Echo-y drums that feel far away adding to the ethereal, dream-like atmosphere. Bells ringing throughout each song. Subtle piano work. And just beautiful engineering all around. My personal highlights: ‘Ivo’, ‘Lorelei’, ‘Persephone’, ‘Amelia’, and ‘Domino’. I was very quick to add this to my list of LP’s I now want to physically own; and I think anyone and everyone should give this album a chance. Because while it means absolutely nothing to the band, they seemed to have accidentally stumbled into making just an absolute banger of a dream pop album. 5/5

Darker than their later stuff, but still with those same dreamy vibes I absolutely adore.

I can't think of another album with such a singular vibe than this one. The washed out distant vocals, the shimmering guitars, the childlike melodies, the unintelligible lyrics. Even the tracklist has a specific vibe, with every song have an uncommon person's name. I guess this must have been the moment when dream pop really began, and it sure sounds very dreamy and otherworldly. Key tracks: Ivo Lorelei Persephone Pandora (For Cindy) Amelia Domino

This is my second time listening to this album, and it absolutely fits the name Dream Pop. It’s dreamlike, ethereal, surreal, and abstract. This is definitely one of those albums you start from the beginning and just let it play all the way through. The whole thing feels like a journey, with each track seamlessly flowing into the next.

Liz Fraser's voice soars, and the guitar work from Guthrie remind us that he wasn't always a complete dick, or addicted to chorus pedals.

I've fallen in love with the Cocteau Twins since discovering them through this list. An excellent album with ethereal vibes.

As someone who’s a big fan of Heaven or Las Vegas, this is super cool to hear them essentially go inverse because of how rock/heavy and dark it feels. Sounds phenomenal but I still prefer the former to this one

one of my all time favorites blissful!

Wow, what an album. Where the sounds of light and darkness intertwine into an atmospheric soundscape. This will be going on repeat in the coming months.

10/10

Soundscapes alternating between dreamy and vaguely unsettling. The layered female vocals are largely unintelligible. Mechanical sounding programmed drums. And yet, the overall effect is organic and beautiful. Ivo and Lorelei are pretty, but Persephone is better; built around a dark, driving low end rhythm. Pandora and Aloysius are melodic again and uplifting. Strong closer in Donimo. Nothing else quite sounds like this. A treasure indeed.

Hadn't heard before, loved it.

I LOVE THIS ALBUMMMMM

Very fun

more like 4.5, love the cocteau twins already, but not as good as heaven or las vegas

Beautifully atmospheric, emotive and sweet

Treasure may just be my favorite Cocteau Twins album. I've commented on the tension I've often felt in listening to Cocteau Twins with respect to wanting them to unleash some aggressive riff or sonically crushing chord...to momentarily drop the ethereal charade and crush us with a burst of musical muscularity that they're hiding behind masses of restraint and reverb. Often some listeners with whom I've shared this feeling will cock their head to one side and look at me quizzically in a way that suggests there is little evidence in their opinion that Cocteau Twins posses this capacity. For them there is no aggression that is held at bay, but for me Treasure is a wonderful example of an album that when I turn up I can hear all the aspects of their sound that are absolutely massively muscular. The thing that I have learned over time is that with Cocteau Twins this aggression I apprehend will always be a subtext in the songwriting. And, in many ways that "threat" that I feel is a different, possibly more powerful feeling to elicit in a listener — all the better that with Cocteau Twins it is beautifully wrapped in their unique sound. Treasure indeed.

It's only the dreamiest music ever

Hauntingly beautiful. Shimmering, ethereal, gothic, shoegaze/dream pop masterpiece. 5/5

Unique and otherworldly.

Ethereal, dreamy, and mysterious. This is probably my favorite Cocteau Twins album. Everything is well thought out, from the one-word song titles to sequencing and visual art. I don't know how to put it into words, but these songs connect with my soul. They are pure yet lusty. There is nothing like this.

Why’s this album art so bad? There’s something about it that screams 2004 emo act along with all the songs being names. I know literally nothing about the Cocteau Twins. Oh wow this is beautiful. I don’t know if I’ve heard anything quite like this. It’s relaxing but somehow also energetic it just makes me feel good. The bass on Beatrix feels like another singer paired with the actual singer it’s beautiful and haunting, this is so good

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.

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.

Shoegazey dream pop at its finest.

Just gorgeous I adore the Cocteaus. That is all.

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

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!

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

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

Here’s what it says

You have to be in the mood. I was.

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.

Klang viel moderner als es ist

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

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

god i love cocteau twins

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 :)

Superb. Ghost like dream scapes

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!

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

love

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.

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 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.

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

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

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.

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.

Incredible

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

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.

otherworldly, the sound of angels come to earth

cool

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!