The Cocteau Twins


Garlands (1982)



Rating (Out of 10): 7.5

Tracklisting: Blood Bath / Wax And Wane / But I'm Not / Blind Dumb Deaf / Shallow Then Halo / The Hollow Men / Garlands / Grail Overfloweth

The Cocteau Twins are without a doubt one of the most eclectic music acts ever to have come out of Scotland. They don’t sound particularly Scottish, not that that information is particularly relevant, as most Scottish bands don’t really sound Scottish except possibly The Proclaimers. They do, however, sound very 1980’s. The songs are very much dominated by synthesizers and there is a notable absence of a guitar dominated sound. Yes, it’s very 80’s but it leans very much to the gothic, punk side of that particular decade rather than the plastic pop side. This is where the Cocteau Twins become very original. Their sound and style is very unique. They were signed to the same label as Nick Cave’s punk outfit The Birthday Party, and while their music possess a gothy, punk quality to it, there is also a very hypnotic, transey feel to it. This is music that you can close your eyes to and drift off into space. It is dream-inducing, magical stuff. But it is definitely not soft background music. It is hard, in your face and soft barely there both at the same time. If you don’t believe me, listen and you’ll see.

In the same vein as the Thompson twins etc, there are actually three members of The Cocteau Twins – Elizabeth Fraser, Simon Raymonde, and Robin Guthrie The thing that makes the Cocteau Twins stand out from the crowd is Elizabeth Fraser’s voice. It is quite unlike anyone else’s ever before or since. She sings in a hypnotic slur, making it impossible to make out a single word she is singing, she could be saying anything, but her voice draws you in, fascinates you, tortures you. There is something very poetic about it, mesmerizing, spellbinding.

‘Garlands’ was The Cocteau Twins first album, and while it isn’t their best work, it provides a very solid beginning to their career and also provides a contrast to their later much softer, more stylized work. The reissue of Garlands that I have includes a few extra bits and pieces including a John Peel Session from 1983 and a few extra tracks which definitely makes it a very nice item to add to the collection.

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From Billy - 26/12/2006

listened to this for the first time in about 8 years after reading your review. It used to be one of my favourites but don't listen to it much these days. thought it had aged a bit. but it's still really good. it's the sort of music that lasts. anyway, cool review.


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