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| From | "Don Stroud \(Nocean\)" <info@noceanstudios.com> |
| Subject | Cocteau Twins |
| Date | Fri, 25 Aug 2006 14:23:00 -0700 |
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One of the bad things about growing up in rural North Carolina is that I
didn't have access to much non-Top 40 or AOR music. It wasn't until I hit
college that I was exposed to things that were "off the beaten path". But
just because you're exposed to something cool, that doesn't mean you're
ready for it yet. In many cases, there were artists that I turned away from
because I couldn't wrap my brain around what they had to offer. XTC, Peter
Gabriel, Let's Active... those and many others were put into my ear-holes by
friends and acquaintances, but I couldn't appreciate them. Now, two decades
later, I've fallen in love with them. (Especially XTC... Andy Partridge is
one of the best wordsmiths ever...)
You can add COCTEAU TWINS to that list. Again, back in college, someone I
knew tried to get me to enjoy them, but my brain couldn't parse what it was
hearing. (Heck, you KNOW you're not ready for a band when the Love Of Your
Life hands you the CD after a wonderful passionate weekend spent together,
and you can't get even two songs into it!) The echo-y drums, the lilting
voice, the non-lyrics... After coming from a Queen background, it was too
much to handle.
But, once I got older, and I began to appreciate melody and *sound* more
than just 4/4 rhythms, I stumbled across them again, and WOW. I was in mad
serious love. I am now their biggest cheerleader. I know they're not for
everyone, but the music is *beautiful*. The ringing guitars, the ethereal
vocals... I love it. The recent 4-disc "Letters To Violane" collection was
stuck in my player for weeks on end.
(Oddly enough, I think that I know what gave me the foundation to appreciate
music like Cocteau Twins and their ilk, and that is "Loveless" by My Bloody
Valentine. A co-worker played that CD one night back in early 1992, and it
was like I'd been blind for years and suddenly received the gift of sight.
It is now my favorite CD, and I listen to it often. Now I'm a sucker for
soundscapes worked into pop music.)
You know, this post isn't really a review, isn't really a question... it's
just a fan rambling about a band he loves. If you're curious and want to
check them out, try their CD "Treasure". It's my fave, and considered by
some to be their best work. It's certainly the most indicative of their
style.
Oh, and for your movie geeks: the Twins' vocalist, Elizabeth Fraser, did the
vocals for "Gandalf's Lament" in "The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of
The Ring". Even more reason to love the band!
Don
NP: Cocteau Twins - "Blue Bell Knoll"
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