The opening two numbers of Treasure are simply flawless, starting with "Ivo," where gently strummed guitar and low bass support Fraser's singing; then suddenly added, astonishing chimes and steady percussion build up to a jaw-dropping Guthrie guitar solo. Topping that would be hard for anyone, but in "Lorelei," the Twins do it, with an introductory, breathtaking guitar surge leading into one of Fraser's best vocals, compelling in both its heavenly and earthly tones and rolls. Not a word   [ read more ]

CD $11.38

Deciding to scale back the overly pretty sound on Blue Bell Knoll while experimenting with more accessibility -- -- the Twins ended up creating their best album since Treasure. From the start, Heaven... is simply fantastic: on "Cherry-Coloured Funk," Guthrie's inimitable guitar work chimes leading a low-key but forceful rhythm, while Raymonde's grand bass work fleshes it out. Fraser simply captivates; her vocals are the clearest, most direct they've ever been, purring with energy and   [ read more ]

CD $11.38

VINYL FORMAT. Originally released in June 1982 the debut album by the Cocteau Twins is considered far darker than some their later offerings, being influenced by Siouxsie and the Banshees, early Cure and The Birthday Party. During this early period, Will Heggie's bass played a significant role in defining their sound, giving it a darker and heavily rhythmic, earthy texture. This combined with Robin Guthrie's minimalistic and heavily effected guitar arrangements; a great deal of distortion and feed-back,smoo   [ read more ]

LP $23.99

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VINYL FORMAT. On 180 gram vinyl! The Cocteau Twins second full-length recording Head Over Heels is often cited by the band as well as many enthusiasts as being among their true favorites, and established the trademark "Cocteau" sound. This limited Bonus Edition features the sleeve artwork from the original 1983 vinyl pressing and is remastered from the original analogue tapes.

LP $23.99

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VINYL FORMAT. The Cocteau Twins second full-length recording Head Over Heels is often cited by the band as well as many enthusiasts as being among their true favorites, and established the trademark "Cocteau" sound. This limited Bonus Edition comes with sleeve artwork from the original 1983 vinyl pressing and features the Sunburst & Snowblind E.P., both remastered from the original analogue tapes.

2xLP $42.99

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Cocteau Twins have always been a love 'em-or-hate 'em kind of band -- to some, Elizabeth Fraser's cool, chirpy warble, the shimmering multi-layered guitars and bass of Simon Raymonde and Robin Guthrie, and the affectless electronic percussion that always accompanies them combine to approximate the music of the spheres. To others, it's all frosting and no cake. This two-disc compilation of live and radio studio recordings (some of which are previously unreleased) probably won't change anyone's mi   [ read more ]

CD $18.98

When 4AD released the lavish and extensive Lullabies to Violaine, they also split the original four-disc release into two separate volumes. This, the first volume, covers the Cocteau Twins' 4AD era, from the beginning through Heaven or Las Vegas -- the singles/EPs Lullabies, Peppermint Pig, Sunburst and Snowblind, The Spangle Maker, Aikea-Guinea, Tiny Dynamite, Echoes in a Shallow Bay, Love's Easy Tears and Iceblink Luck. With the exception of the 12" mixes of "Peppermint Pig" and "Pearly Dewdrops' D   [ read more ]

2xCD $15.99

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The first Cocteaus album to feature a full-band lineup since Treasure was also their first full studio record released in America, resulting from the group's stateside deal with Capitol. Much to longtime fans' surprise, the Twins in fact were much more content with Capitol than 4AD, hinting at their eventual full departure from that label. This was all well and good, but the trio's new inspiration didn't fully translate into their work, unfortunately. While Blue Bell Knoll has some stri   [ read more ]

CD $11.38

Those hearing Garlands for the first time who only know the band's other material will likely be more than a little surprised. Whereas the typical vision of the Twins is of beautiful washes of sounds and exultant vocals from Fraser, on Garlands the trio is still only part of the way there. Instead, the best comparison points are to the Cure on Faith and Pornography, perhaps Metal Box-era PiL, a touch of Joy Division here and there -- in sum, deep, heavy mood verging on doom and   [ read more ]

CD $11.38

?The band's first full trio recording without guests since Echoes in a Shallow Bay, Tears has the group in a slight holding pattern, though not without some songs of merit. The title track has good performances from Guthrie and Raymonde both on their instruments, the former creating one of his trademark crystalline feedback washes for the chorus, as Fraser's voice swoops and swirls throughout. Those Eyes, That Mouth is the definite winner of the bunch, with Fraser's work the key factor. Her up-and-down yelp   [ read more ]

MP3 $4.20

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?The immediate follow-up to Treasure didn't match the effortless heights of that album, but still came darn close throughout, providing another brief, affecting precis of the trio at its best. The title track became another well-deserved Twins standard, a deceptively simple bass/guitar/drum combination driving away at its core, while Fraser sings beautifully over it all, matched by a swirl of Guthrie's production touches (piano, mock choir, and so forth). Kookaburra follows squarely in the path of fa   [ read more ]

MP3 $4.20

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?Appearing the same month as its companion release Tiny Dynamine, Echoes maintains the more relaxed-though-still-lush feeling of that EP; if its songs aren't quite as memorable as some of those on Dynamine, they still provide that lovely, unique Cocteau feeling in their performances and arrangements. Great Spangled Fritillary adds a touch of dark psychedelia to the proceedings, gong-like chimes and buried feedback drones mixing with the more expected Fraser singing and drum machine loops. Melonella h   [ read more ]

MP3 $4.20

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