COCTEAU TWINS Vinyl & CDs

Review: The Cocteau Twins' transition from 4AD to Fontana Records in the early 90s marked a significant shift, yet their 1993 release Four-Calendar Cafe remains a stunning addition to their discography. Despite the upheavals, including strained relationships, the band delivered a gem that subtly evolved their signature sound. Four-Calendar Cafe follows the acclaimed Heaven Or Las Vegas and presents a more accessible, melodic approach while maintaining the ethereal and beautiful characteristics we associate with the Cocteau Twins. Tracks like 'Know Who You Are At Every Age' and 'Evangeline feature Elizabeth Fraser's crystalline vocals, layered over Robin Guthrie's lush, reverb-drenched guitars. 'Bluebeard,' with its country-inflected melody, and 'Squeeze-Wax,' an uplifting lullaby, highlight Fraser's more discernible lyrics, adding an intimate layer to the album's dreamy soundscapes. The dynamic closer 'Pur,' solidify its place in the band's esteemed discography. Reissued on vinyl for 2024, Four-Calendar Cafe remains a great album to listen to, blending shimmering atmospheres with Fraser's amazing voice. This release reaffirms the Cocteau Twins' status as pioneers of dream pop, whose influence continues to resonate.

Review: Milk & Kisses proved to be the final studio album by the inimitable Scottish band Cocteau Twins, the band that made the 4AD label long before the likes of Dry Cleaning and Future Islands graced their roster. By the time in 1996 that they'd released this, however, album number eight, they'd moved on to major Fontana Records and were well into the period of their career where singer Elizabeth Fraser had switched to singing words rather than expressing herself through sounds alone. Not necessarily the happiest time for the band, who reportedly avoided each other during its recording, but still some of the dreamiest dream pop about at the time. Includes the song 'Rilkean Heart' which was penned about the late Jeff Buckley, a lifelong devotee of the poetry of Rainer Maria Rilke.

Review: Four Calendar Cafe is a latter-day LP from dream pop pioneers Cocteau Twins, now reissued by their home stretch 4AD (though it first appeared as a defection to Dutch label Fontana). Though it isn't an album of high priority in the average Cocteau canon, this very fact proves that the average Cocteau enjoyer can be differentiated from the patrician cream. That's all due to the fact that Four-Calendar Cafe oozes a maturity that only a seventh full-length album could muster, infamously swerving away from the ambient indeterminacy of their prior albums and veering into greater accessibility and popcraft, with the likes of 'Evangeline' and 'Bluebeard' garnering the band moderate success in the charts.

Review: The Moon and the Melodies, a remarkable collaboration between Cocteau Twins and ambient pioneer Harold Budd, remains a standout achievement in both artists' repertoires. First released in 1986, this enchanting album is now receiving a well-deserved vinyl reissue, meticulously remastered by Robin Guthrie from the original tapes. This album is a stunning fusion of the Cocteau Twins' signature dreamlike atmospheres with Budd's elegant, improvisational piano, resulting in a listening experience that is both expansive and deeply personal. The blending of Elizabeth Fraser's ethereal vocals, seamlessly intertwined with Guthrie's luminous guitar work and Raymonde's resonant bass, creates a sound that is both distinct and evocative. The album effortlessly balances vocal tracks with instrumentals, each adding to its rich and diverse sonic palette. This reissue offers a chance to rediscover a defining moment in the evolution of dream pop and ambient music. The Moon and the Melodies continues to stun audiences. This CD edition is the perfect vehicle to an ethereal beauty of the highest order.

Review: The Moon and the Melodies, a collaboration between Cocteau Twins and ambient pioneer Harold Budd, stands as a unique gem in both artists' discographies. Originally released in 1986, this ethereal album is now being reissued on vinyl, remastered from the original tapes by Robin Guthrie. Unlike anything else the Cocteau Twins ever produced, this record blends their dreamlike soundscapes with Budd's serene, improvisational piano work. The result is an atmospheric journey, at once intimate and expansive. Tracks like 'Sea, Swallow Me' shine with Elizabeth Fraser's otherworldly vocals, intertwined with Guthrie's shimmering guitar and Raymonde's grounding bass, creating a sound that feels both familiar and entirely unique. Instrumentals like 'Memory Gongs' and 'The Ghost Has No Home' highlight Budd's delicate piano, enhanced by the band's signature ambient textures. The album is a study in contrasts, vocal tracks sit alongside instrumentals, each contributing to a cohesive yet diverse listening experience. For fans, this reissue is a chance to revisit a pivotal moment in the evolution of dream pop and ambient music. The album's enduring appeal is evident in its continued influence in social media. The Moon and the Melodies remains a shining light that can happen when artists from different realms come together to create something truly timeless.