I do recommend this compilation album for one’s introduction to the music of The Cocteau Twins and don’t be surprised if you find yourself wanting to purchase their two part compilation and all of their albums afterward. “Stars and Topsoil: A Collection (1982-1990)” is highly recommended!
Purchase The Cocteau Twins – “Stars and Topsoil: A Collection (1982-1990)” on Amazon
BAND: Cocteau Twins
ALBUM: Stars and Topsoil: A Collection (1982-1990)
DURATION: 18 Songs (1 Hour, 13 Minutes)
LABEL: 4AD
RELEASE DATE: October 16, 2000
In 1979, a band formed by guitarist Robin Guthrie and bassist Will Heggie in Grangemouth, Scotland was formed. Guthrie would meet a 17-year-old Elizabeth Fraser who was DJing at a local disco and he invited her to become the vocalist of his new band.
Influenced by Siouxsie and the Banshees, Kate Bush, Sex Pistols, the band decided on the name “The Cocteau Twins” based on an early song by the band, Simple Minds.
The band would record a four-track session and submit it to one of the most influential DJ’s and a legend for BBC Radio 1, John Peel.
Peel has popularized many bands through his popular popular “Peel sessions” and he was also the presenters for the UK’s popular music show, “Top of the Pops” but the band would debut with their LP “Garlands” released in July 1982 and reaching no. 2 on the indie album charts in the UK.
Their early music was compared to Siouxsie and the Banshees and Bauhaus but after the release of two EP’s and their second album “Head Over Heels” and the departure of founding member Will Heggie, a new sound emerged for the band. The focus now was on Elizabeth Frazer’s dreamy vocals and Guthrie’s guitars (and use of effects), the duo would be joined by a musician who can play a variety of instruments, Simon Raymonde and this new sound that the band would be known for was called “Dream Pop”.
The Cocteau Twins would create eight albums, eleven EP’s and eight singles from 1982 through 1996.
But like all good bands, there has to be an end. And for some bands, they come to an end amicably or abruptly. For The Cocteau Twins, music fans were able to be entertained by 20 good years of wonderful music from the band.
But the end of The Cocteau Twins was pretty much issues between the breakup between Elizabeth Fraser and Robin Guthrie, who have had a long time relationship. And while many have hoped for a reunion, unfortunately it will never happen. The end of failed relationship and other situations probably is best.
But The Cocteau Twins music will live forever and for those not familiar with their music, the band’s music is often categorized as dream pop, a band that would influence a music genre known as Shoegaze that became popular in the late ’80s and early ’90s.
Shoegaze bands were defined by their ethereal and obscure vocals, heavy distortion of their guitars and many effects and of course, the loud volume of the music.
But before bands such as my bloody valentine, Slowdive, Ride, Chapterhouse, Lush, Galaxie 500, The Swirlies and even an early version of The Verve and others become popular for Shoegaze, their early predecessors were The Cocteau Twins, The Jesus and Mary Chain, and even earlier influences in the ’60s from The Velvet Underground, The Beatles and more.
While Britpop and Grunge music would take over, there have been resurgences of Shoegaze music today with new bands and even bands from the peak of Shoegaze creating new music for a new generation of listeners and those who have never given it up.
And while many shoegaze fans have their favorites, I’m a person who listened to Cocteau Twins not because it was dream pop, nor because of shoegaze.
I actually discovered the band in the early ’90s because I was into the music of Faye Wong during my college years, and I loved her ethereal voice. Because information was sparse at the time and the Internet was still during its earlier years, what I would find out is that she collaborated with The Cocteau Twins. That’s all I knew. And so in 1994, I purchased “Four-Calendar Cafe” because of “Bluebeard” and my interest in the band began there.
And whenever I talk to someone who has interest in The Cocteau Twins or if I want to recommend them one album, it would be their compilation album “Stars and Topsoil: A Collection 1982-1990”.
This compilation covers the years when The Cocteau Twins were part of the 4AD music label (1982-1990) and a song or two come from their six albums “Garlands” (1982) up to “Heaven or Las Vegas” (1980).
Now I can’t call this a greatest hits, but I can say it does come with four of their singles such as “Pearly-Dewdrops’ Drops” from their EP “The Spangle Maker”, “Carolyn’s Fingers” from “Blue Bell Knoll” and “Iceblink Luck” and “Heaven or Las Vegas” from their “Heaven or Las Vegas” album.
But the best way I can explain the music of The Cocteau Twins, it would be impossible to release a best album. People can try to create their top 10 songs or even top 20 songs, but you’ll find The Cocteau Twins forums and everyone will have a completely different list.
You literally have to get their albums and their EP’s to thoroughly enjoy The Cocteau Twins music.
Of course, the EP’s aren’t going to be easy to find, but fortunately, you can purchase “Lullabies to Violaine: Singles and Extended Plays 1982-1990” and “Lullabies to Violaine: Singles and Extended Plays 1993-1996” which were released by 4AD in 2006. And of course, there are the eight albums. Each album with awesome songs, and of course, varying styles depending on what year you are listening to.
So, instead of invest in all eight albums, for those wanting to get into The Cocteau Twins should check out “Stars and Topsoil: A Collection (1982-1990)” which is probably the best compilation to put together a lot of songs which are fan favorites from their 18 years with 4AD.
For those wondering if they should invest in their first compilation album “The Pink Opaque” which features songs recorded from 1982-1985, if you plan to get the “Lullabies to Violaine” compilations, then this compilation could be skipped (some may want it just for two tracks – “<Millimillenary” which was only available on an NME cassette compilation and “Wax and Wane” (remixed). It was more or less an album compilation to introduce the band to American audiences, as this was their first US release. “Stars and Topsoil: A Collection (1982-1990)” is a more satisfying compilation and you have 18 years of music versus four years.
Get this album to enjoy The Cocteau Twins and listen to each track and if you like what you hear, then you can decide to purchase their other compilations and their albums.
I won’t go to far into the review of these songs as I plan to review the actual albums, but I will say that this is the ultimate album to introduce friends to The Cocteau Twins. It’s not expensive and you get 18 tracks of wonderful music.
In fact, every song on this compilation is fantastic, but if I had to pick the five songs I listen to the most…It would be “Pearly Dewdrops’ Drops”, “Lorelei”, “Pandora”, “Carolyn’s Fingers” and “Heaven or Las Vegas”. But you do get a good variety of music and hear how The Cocteau Twins have changed their music throughout the years.
But you really can’t go wrong this compilation. I do recommend this compilation album for one’s introduction to the music of The Cocteau Twins and don’t be surprised if you find yourself wanting to purchase their two part compilation and all of their albums afterward.
“Stars and Topsoil: A Collection (1982-1990)” is highly recommended!
Purchase The Cocteau Twins – “Stars and Topsoil: A Collection (1982-1990)” on Amazon
