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**Cxcvvfbgtr** · 04-12-2010, 10:31 PM

Listened to Blue Bell Knoll for the first time today, liked it. I find with Cocteau Twins that I need multiple listens before the different melodies reveal themselves.

I have most of the Cocteau Twins releases, apart from the first two. I finally delved into their catalog about 4-5 years back, previously only knowing them by name and references to them being an influential group.

My favorite release and general order ranking tends to fluctuate over time. Blue Bell Knoll was the toughest for me to get into. Took me a lot longer to appreciate it but once I did, I was like, "how did i never NOT like this!" You know how that goes.

I have noticed that amongst the hardcore CT fans, BBK is held in higher esteem than it is amongst more casual fans and in critical circles. Somewhat like Is This Desire? within the PJH catalog. Conversely, some of the hardcore fans couldn't stomach some of the latter releases towards the end where the lyrics were too straightforward and sometimes seemed too much like Liz Fraser therapy sessions brought to song.

Similar to other artists, their singles & EPs contained some of their best work. One of them, I forget which, was actually just them mucking around in the new studio they had built, just experimenting with the equipment. Then someone told them it was good enough to release in it's own right.

As far as live stuff, I don't have too much and Liz's vocals can be hit or miss there. There was a period in which Liz went really "out there" with her vocals. Four Calender-Cafe tour or thereabouts. And I don't mean in a good way.

Still, some people found her singing great even then. But I found it cringe-worthy and I wasn't alone. But then she was back to singing great again towards the end.

Haven't heard much from her since, other than the several songs she's done with Massive Attack, soundtrack stuff, the couple songs she did with the guy who did the Amelie soundtrack and a sprinkling of other songs. Here's a nice one (This Love w/Craig Armstrong), but many years old already..

Robin and Simon have had a fairly steadily output since CT, particularly Robin, mostly instrumental music. I haven't heard too much of it though. Simon has run his own record label, the most successful band probably being Fleet Foxes. He tends to be undervalued in Cocteau Twins, but he contributed a fair amount. Love his bass lines in the following, from the BBK album, for example...

04-12-2010, 10:31 PM	#8
Cxcvvfbgtr Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 361 Senior Member	Listened to Blue Bell Knoll for the first time today, liked it. I find with Cocteau Twins that I need multiple listens before the different melodies reveal themselves. I have most of the Cocteau Twins releases, apart from the first two. I finally delved into their catalog about 4-5 years back, previously only knowing them by name and references to them being an influential group. My favorite release and general order ranking tends to fluctuate over time. Blue Bell Knoll was the toughest for me to get into. Took me a lot longer to appreciate it but once I did, I was like, "how did i never NOT like this!" You know how that goes. I have noticed that amongst the hardcore CT fans, BBK is held in higher esteem than it is amongst more casual fans and in critical circles. Somewhat like Is This Desire? within the PJH catalog. Conversely, some of the hardcore fans couldn't stomach some of the latter releases towards the end where the lyrics were too straightforward and sometimes seemed too much like Liz Fraser therapy sessions brought to song. Similar to other artists, their singles & EPs contained some of their best work. One of them, I forget which, was actually just them mucking around in the new studio they had built, just experimenting with the equipment. Then someone told them it was good enough to release in it's own right. As far as live stuff, I don't have too much and Liz's vocals can be hit or miss there. There was a period in which Liz went really "out there" with her vocals. Four Calender-Cafe tour or thereabouts. And I don't mean in a good way. Still, some people found her singing great even then. But I found it cringe-worthy and I wasn't alone. But then she was back to singing great again towards the end. Haven't heard much from her since, other than the several songs she's done with Massive Attack, soundtrack stuff, the couple songs she did with the guy who did the Amelie soundtrack and a sprinkling of other songs. Here's a nice one (This Love w/Craig Armstrong), but many years old already.. Robin and Simon have had a fairly steadily output since CT, particularly Robin, mostly instrumental music. I haven't heard too much of it though. Simon has run his own record label, the most successful band probably being Fleet Foxes. He tends to be undervalued in Cocteau Twins, but he contributed a fair amount. Love his bass lines in the following, from the BBK album, for example...
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