Cocteau Twins - Ranking the Albums & 15 Best Non-Album Songs
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- Опубликовано: 18 окт 2024
- This time we're ranking not only the 9 albums from Cocteau Twins, but also 15 of their best non-album tracks. Joining me once again is Frank Deserto (Post-Punk.com, Systems of Romance Blog, The Harrow) and writer/curator Greg Fasolino (Creem, Fangoria, Trouser Press, Guitar for the Practicing Musician, Faces, The Harrow).
We look forward to interacting with you in the comments section. Don't forget to subscribe to keep up to date on the latest videos.
PLAYLISTS:
Bret (Album): • Cocteau Twins - Rankin...
Bret (Non-Album): • Cocteau Twins - The 15...
Frank (Album): • Cocteau Twins Album Ra...
Frank (Non-Album): • Cocteau Twins Top 15 N...
Greg (Album): • Cocteau Twins Album Ra...
Greg (Non-Album): • Cocteau Twins Top 15 N...
Other links to investigate:
BRET'S LINKS
Audra: audra.bandcamp.com
Instagram: / bretlifeonthisplanet
GREG'S LINKS:
The Harrow: theharrownyc.b...
RUclips Channel: / @greengerg
FRANK'S LINKS:
The Harrow: theharrownyc.b...
Systems of Romance: www.systemsofro...
Post-Punk.com: post-punk.com/...
Videos referenced *
25 Best Albums of 1988: • 1988 - The Best Albums...
Dead Can Dance - Ranking the Albums: • Dead Can Dance - Ranki...
Cherry Stars Collide Box Set review: • Box Sets! Post-punk, G...
#vinyl #vinylcommunity #records #cocteautwins #scotland #elizabethfraser #robinguthrie #simonraymonde #willheggie #lowlife #garlands #headoverheels #treasure #victorialand #themoonandthemelodies #bluebellknoll #heavenorlasvegas #fourcalendarcafe #milkandkisses #4ad #thespanglemaker #brethelm #gregfasolino #frankdeserto #postpunk #albumranking #4ad #4adrecords
This was a great video,and so amazing you looked into the EP's as well,you each gave such insightfull and nuanced takes on the albums and the non album tracks. For me Blue Bell Knoll would be my number 1 album and a non album track would be "Watchlar". I've always thought the cover of 'Garlands' is a really iconic album cover and still is. Did you know at the end of August 2024 "The Moon And The Melodies" has been remastered and is about to be re-released. And Elizbeth Fraser and her partner Damon Reece recently released an extended 2 cd version of their Ep "Sun's Signature" it's really stunning and the vocals are sublime. (matt) P.s Frank "When Cherry Stars Collide" is a brilliantly put together compilation,that I really love listening too.
Thanks! Yes, looking forward to The Moon and the Melodies reissue for sure!
@@BretHelmsLifeOnThisPlanetBlog something may be in the works as a few days ago an official Cocteau Twins RUclips channel was created then an official new Cocteau Twins web site selling merch etc,their albums are being re-issued in America,they are remastering all videos and putting them out on RUclips and they are appearing on other social media platforms too, definitely feels like a build up to something (Matt)p.s my all time favourite song by the Twins is "Carolyn's Fingers" the way Elizabeth sings on this track is so different to anything she did before or since,it still gives me goosebumps as it did back then.
BRET!! Your choice for Victoria Land is amazing because I’m so in love with that album as well. Lazy Calm is so perfect and beautiful. That whole album has no skips
Thank you for watching! Yes, Victorialand all the way. :)
As a longtime Cocteau Twins fan, I just want to say how much I appreciate your reviews here. You should definitely consider ranking the EPs - there's a lot of great music on them (I have the opening three chords from Pink Orange Red as my ringtone). Am interested in opening up the discussion as to which of Head Over Heels and Treasure people prefer. I'm in the Head Over Heels camp. It feels more cohesive overall, production is solid and it's a strong set of songs. The welter of guitar in tracks like In Our Angelhood and Glass Candle Grenades is thrilling. Multifoiled gets dissed a lot but I love the dirty bass, fat keyboard chords and those bare sections where it's just Liz and the drum track. The only reservation I have is the repeating vocal figure in The Tinderbox - the one that goes down to low G - Liz sings it sharp for almost the whole track. It's kind of like an incantation I guess, and sounds suitably sinister. Musette and Drums is just genius, one of their very best songs.
Just thought I'd mention that *Sultitan Itan* is pronounced: Sul-ty-tun, Eye-tun. Liz actually sings those exact words in Pink Orange Red, so you can hear how she says it herself.
As you probably already know, Liz has used her lyrics as subsequent song titles before. For example the song title: _Ooze Out And Away One How_ (from Moon and the Melodies) is a lyric that she sang in the song _My Love Paramour_ (from Head Over Heels).
What a fun video, especially the deep dives into the ep and bside cuts. I’ve always loved “Orange Appled.” Sort of a precursor to the whimsical pop of Heaven & Las Vegas.
Glad you enjoyed! "Orange Appled" is a great song for sure. If you're a Dead Can Dance fan as well, make sure to check out our video on their catalog with special guest, original drummer Peter Ulrich: ruclips.net/video/fiH0-UdeBGM/видео.html
Thanks for watching!
Great listen, thanks guys.
"Those eyes, that Mouth" -- spot on. It's a masterpeice, up there with "Itchy Glowbo Glow" and "Ella Magalast" for me.
"The moon and the melodies" -- underappreciated here in my option. Goes in my top 5. Glad you give Garlands the recognition it deserves. My introduction to the Cocteaus as a 16 year-old and blew me away.
Thanks for watching, Paul!
I have just started getting into this band. It's not for casual listening and they're not for everyone but what a world of magic they created.
Thanks for tuning in!
It's Garlands for me dark and menacing and brilliant over headphones. 'In Our Anglehood' however is my favourite song which is off head over heels.I think the Garlands album cover is someone's visual interpretation of the Banshee's 'scream' album cover
Yeah, Garlands is so good. "In Our Angelhood" definitely a top favorite from HoH for me.
Absolutely fantastic Cocteau Twins ranking video! Love them so incredibly much!! I’m probably in the minority but I’m blown away there was no mention of their non-album song “Alice.” Wow, what a way to officially conclude a mind-blowing career with arguably their most beautiful and inspiring song ever. It’s like the sound of the first flowers blooming in early spring….
Glad you enjoyed, Sam. Good call on "Alice" - one of those that would've made my list if we went beyond 15... so many great ones to choose from!
Alice is just the most beautiful, delicate Cocoteau Twins song, and sounds so sad, always brings tears to my eyes
@@lord_chozo7341 Oh absolutely I agree. Also the song is extra sad because it’s literally the FINAL single of their career that was originally released in July 1996
Another masterpiece ranking Bret, Frank and Greg wow love the details you all said about these albums I became a fan in the late 90’s . Bret we see Eye to a eye Vicorialand is tops in book I always pull that record when I wanna he the Twins Heaven or Las Vegas and Head over Heels not far behind . The 4ad label is so phenomenal the artwork the production and pressing top notch. And the ep damn I need to complete I have a few but not all the one you guys showed my favorites in my collection is Aikea- Guinea man this made my week Frank , Greg and my friend Bret thanks for this video. P. S. I still remember in the late 90’s jumping on train to Evanston to go to Vintage Vinyl to pick up the OG Heaven or Las Vegas on wax .
Thank you for the kind words, Lovell. Pleased to see you feel the same about Victorialand! Yeah, those EPs have gotten scarce in the wild. It'd be cool if 4AD did a reissue of them all in a box set form.
Nice video. Like the variety. Surprised the b-side 'Alice' wasn't chosen, but loved the thoroughness.
Glad you enjoyed. Thanks for watching, Steven.
Love this video, thanks to all of you for taking the time. Treasure will always be my favorite, I have too much sentimental attachment for it ever to be topped. Can I just give a shout out to the Hitherto love. That song is one of my top favorites and I'm glad to see it get mentioned. Great video!
Glad you enjoyed! Treasure is an excellent album to have as your favorite.
I was lucky to meet Robin on a solo tour with Brendan Perry. I never got to see Cocteau Twins live but did see Liz with Massive Attack just before covid shut the world down.
I bet seeing Liz with Massive Attack was pretty amazing!
Hi Bret, really enjoyed this one! CT is one of my top 3 favs bands of all time! Surprised by your #1, but like you guys said, all 9 albums are great is just a matter of which one you like most. My ranking goes more in line with Greg's. I'm going to list them here but going purely by history since I haven't done the excersise you guys did of re-visiting all the albums for about a month to freshen up and readjust to the present, but anyways I have them on regular rotation and always am listening to their songs for over 30 years.
9-The Moon & The Melodies
8-Four Calendar Cafe
7-Victorialand
6-Milk & Kisses
5-Treasure
4-Blue Bell Knoll
3-Garlands
2-HOLV
1-Head Over Heels
P.S. Totally agreed with Greg regarding the track Those Eyes, That Mouth is the perfect CT song...fantastic!
Thanks! This was definitely a tough one for final decisions. Looks like we're in alignment with our 2nd & 3rd picks. I appreciate you watching and leaving your own list.
Hi Bret - So glad you’re making videos again. I watched your U2 ranking video way back when and we definitely share a similar taste in music (and age unfortunately- lol). You’re always mentioning music I love. I’m going to listen to Unto Ashes and Audra this weekend and If you wish, my prior band project by The Invented - an album called “Blur of Tomorrow (Deluxe Edition). It’s out there….Cheers!
Thanks Michael! Happy to hear you started watching that long ago. The U2 video will be updated once a new studio album is released. Long overdue! I appreciate you checking out the Audra & UA albums!
Love the Autumns shout out! Great video 😊
Thanks for watching!
Love the Cocteau Twins! Enjoyed watching this so much. thanks.
Glad you enjoyed watching this one. Thank you!
Hello fellow greybeards: thanks for the exhausting overview of the master Twins. I humbly offer my ranking of the studio albums. My favorite period is 84-86, hence these choices:
9 Milk and Kisses
8 Four Calendar Cafe
7 Blue Bell Knoll
6 Garlands
5 Heaven or Las Vegas
4 Head Over Heels
3 Victorialand
2 Treasure
1 The Moon and the Melodies
Since Tiny Dynamine and Echoes were released as a CD album, I was tempted to include it. It includes some of their most psychedelic recordings. Intense!!!
Cool to see The Moon and the Melodies in the #1 spot.
That is very close to my ranking - I'd probably just move Victorialand up a place. Also I'm a massive Harold Budd fan.
It'd be interesting to see a ranking of the Black Tape for a Blue Girl discography, I'm sure you'd have some great insights having been in the band!
:)
Thanks guys! One of my favorites as well, so it's nice to hear others appreciate them in such detail. I love everything they did, but my obvious and undeniable #1 would be Heaven or Las Vegas. First record I ever heard/found of theirs was the 12" promo of I wear your Ring, and Cherry Coloured Funk is up there as the best track 1 to start an album.
Thanks for watching! Heaven or Las Vegas is an amazing record.
Great Video Bret, I really enjoyed it all the way through. I love this band and all their work is just stunning. It's very difficult to rank their albums because they are all special, but I'll put them in this order, but it seems to change all the time.
9. Moon and the Melodies
8. Victorialand
7. Treasure
6. Milk and Kisses
5. Blue Bell Knoll
4. Head Over Heels
3. Four Calendar Cafe
2. Garlands
1. Heaven or Las Vegas
Thanks for taking the time to do this video, it was very enjoyable to watch. The trivia questions were way too hard for me! Quick shout out to the "Snow" single/EP. I love their version of "Winter Wonderland", and that's a holiday favorite at my house. Great that "lowlife" got a few mentions because that's a band that just didn't get nearly enough attention. I love all their work. Would love some quality reissues and remasters of their albums.
Very well done on the albums and non album songs.
Hey James, super interesting to see the similarities / differences between all of our lists. Ah yes.... Lowlife. Such a great band and in dire need of some reissues. Yeah, I think I might have went a little too Phd level on the trivia this time around. Haha. Glad you enjoyed the video!
Fun fact, melody maker at the time of release of Heaven or Las Vegas, quipped that Road,river and rail was a paean to fishing. Rod, river and reel. I miss those days
Thank you for this great video! It's such a pleasure to listen to actual fans gushing over the catalogue of this incredible band (probably my favourite band of all time too). A coouple of things for a future video: reviewing their side projects and post-CT work (that's another 2 hour video at least), looking at some tribute albums (not many out there I think, they're really difficult t cover, at least doing them justice) OH! and something I've always loved about them, so many songs in 6/8!!! (which for some reason also applies to a lot of 80s goth, I think that's fascinating and pretty intriguing).
Anyway here's my list:
9. Moon and the melodies (is it *really* a CT album, though? I'm not so sure it counts)
8. Head over heels
7. Milk and kisses
6. Heaven or Las Vegas
5. Victorialand
4. Garlands
3. Blue bell knoll
2. Treasure
1. Four-calendar café (these last two share the number 1 spot for me depending on the seasons, I tend to favour 4CC in summer and spring, and Treasure in autumn/winter) It's interesting because I kind of love these two albums a bit for the same reasons you guys critisised them: I love that Treasure has that rough, unpolished sound without losing its otherwordlyness - and I love that 4CC has such a normie production, it's like the production aspect takes a back seat and the songwriting is the main protagonist.
I also have a list of 15 non-album songs but this is long enough already 😵
Oh and shoutout to any former members of Cocteautwinsforums.com out there!
Glad you enjoyed! And thanks for posting your list. Would like to see your 15 non-album list, so please do post. About the 6/8 totally. I always like to mention that time signature as I always enjoy when it pops up in songwriting.
Really enjoy these videos and the depth of knowledge you all have. This one has inspired me to move beyond my copy of Heaven or Las Vegas and give Head over Heels and Garlands a good listen.
Right on, Matt! Make sure to give Victorialand a listen as well. :)
Listened to the first 4 Cocteaus albums after watching this video ! I can see how Victorialand features towards the bottom of the lists but not The Moon and the Melodies which I love. It also struck me that Victorialand is possibly one of the best sleeve artworks. My UK copy is a promo and the "image" on the front appears like a photo on a matt background . Was the US issue similar? I was convinced Heaven or Las Vegas would be Bret's number one!!!
Hey John! Good to see that this video inspired you to pull out the first 4 albums. Did you ever get the Milk & Kisses reissue? My copy of Victorialand is the reissue from a few years back and doesn't have image presented in the way you describe. The original was another one of those 'had it in my hands at the store years ago when it was $6, didn't grab it, went back and it was gone situations.' :)
Hi Bret , Ive got all of the Cocteau's albums on vinyl plus quite a few 12 inch singles and the US compilation The Pink Opaque. All are og pressings except Four Calender Cafe and Milk and Kisses which I got as the RSD reissues on coloured vinyl
I did a ranking in my Cocteau collection video, if memory serves, it was:
9. Head Over Heels
8. Garlands
7. Moon and the Melodies
6. Treasure
5. Victorialand
4. Four Calendar Cafe
3. Milk & Kisses
2. Blue Bell Knoll
1. Heaven or Las Vegas
Some of my favorite non-album tracks: Mud and Dark, Smile, Orange Appled, Pink Orange Red, Hitherto, Laughlines, and love the acoustic Half-Gifts.
Great video guys. Cheers!
Hey Mike! Always fascinating to see these rankings and how one album can top one's list and be at the bottom for another! Happy to see Milk & Kisses up so high on yours. The acoustic "Half-Gifts" is such a gem.
@@BretHelmsLifeOnThisPlanetBlog The more I listen to Milk & Kisses, the more I love it, even the songs I didn't care for when it came out. Now its more evenly great.
Agreed. That album has really grown on me more and more over the years as well.
sorry your ranking is a disaster
@@Alix777. cool
In the Gold Dust Rush lyrics----
Her honey mouth has got the all fool gold (x3)
In the gold dust rush, I only genuflect (x3)
Bridge:
Honey is harbor,
There's locusts in there
She got the all fool gold
You can isolate the vocal online with AI programs. It doesn't always work but it makes it a lot easier to decipher.
Also a bit of Musette and Drums
"Tragedian, you were fast for a genius
Humoredian, what a genius to all
For this song, I will favor a genius
Strawberries, she turned thirteen on...
Tragedian, am I prettier now?"
Very, very dark...
It's the droplet, it is the droplet on my tooth
It's the spangle, it is the spangle maker
All for that, all for that went to Charoletta
She is his, she is his spangle baby
And roast pig's just the driver
Singing, broke a window, broke a window
Whistling
It's part of the plan and unborn there
It's cutting me and temporary
Ay-yi, it's just a droplet singing
Broken window, it's a lie
EXTREMELY dark. Think on it.
Every Cocteau's record needs remixing, and the drum machines need replacing
I bought four calendar café when it came out. Still haven’t played it. Just can’t bring myself to touch the cover, such a travesty after 23 envelope. Very shallow and precious but there you go. Thanks Fontana. And Guthrie has to be heralded for his undeniably and scarcely mentioned scorching hip hop drum beat on the track garlands. Seriously, 1982, Grangemouth, Scotland is quite some distance from south bronx. Probably not a million miles but it’s got to be a long way
IMHO, Victorialand and Treasure are the best albums. Four Calendar Cafe and Milk and Kisses are genius in a more conventional style. Tiny Dinamine is the best EP.
Right on. Thanks for watching!
I've been a CTs fan for almost 40 yrs. Some might not like this, but I think Tishbite is one of their worst songs. It has no emotional impact whatsoever. Moon & the Melodies is stunning. The instrumental tracks are incredible. Of course, Harold Budd had a big input (& thank god!).
Some of these guys here seem to me to be latecomers to the CTs. The mid 80's saw CTs release some of their most complex and emotional work. Latecomers to CTs music tend towards their later work (which was beset by problems of decline and creative block). Picking fav lps is tricky and totally subjective. It depends on what aspect of their sound you love. Their best stuff sounds like a heart breaking. Therefore, their best lps are (IMHO!) Head over Heels, Victorialand, Treasure, Garlands, Blue Bell knoll, Heaven or Las Vegas (IP, 50/50 clown and Cherry Coloured Funk, Road River & Rail) Moon & the Melodies. All eps around mid-80's are genius - Aikea Guinea, Lullabies, Peppermint Pig, Echos in a shallow bay + of course Tiny Dynamine. I have spoken!
I tried the "third song" challenge. Got five right.
bluebeards one of the best tunes
..........I'll have a go at my own list but I'm not good at ranking .....
Please post when completed!
Garlands then Garlands with Garlands a close third
Twas
Akea Guinea #1 song .... all else is great too.
Thanks for watching!