Cocteau Twnins:
"Garlands"
1982
Cocteau Twins were a Scottish band active from 1979 to 1997. They were formed in Grangemouth by Robin Guthrie (guitars, drum machine) and Will Heggie (bass), adding Elizabeth Fraser (vocals) in 1981 and replacing Heggie with multi-instrumentalist Simon Raymonde in 1983. The group earned critical praise for their ethereal, effects-laden sound and the soprano vocals of Fraser, whose lyrics often abandon recognisable language. They pioneered the 1980s alternative rock subgenre of dream pop.
The band's early work drew influence from Siouxsie and the Banshees and Joy Division. After signing with the British record label 4AD in 1982, they released their debut album Garlands later that year. The addition of Raymonde in 1983 solidified their final lineup, which produced their biggest hit in the UK, "Pearly-Dewdrops' Drops", peaking at No. 29 on the UK Singles Chart. In 1988, Cocteau Twins signed with Capitol Records in the United States, distributing their fifth album, Blue Bell Knoll, through a major label in the country. After the 1990 release of their most critically acclaimed album, Heaven or Las Vegas, the band left 4AD for Fontana Records, where they released their final two albums.
After nearly 20 years together, the band disbanded in 1997 in part due to issues stemming from the disintegration of Fraser and Guthrie's romantic relationship. In 2005, the band announced that they would reunite to headline Coachella and embark on a world tour but the reunion was cancelled a month later after Fraser refused to perform on stage with Guthrie. In a 2021 interview, Raymonde confirmed that Cocteau Twins "will never reform".
Origin Grangemouth, Scotland
Genres
Dream pop, ethereal wave, gothic rock, post-punk
Years active 1979–1997
Labels
4AD Relativity Capitol Fontana Bella Union
Associated acts
This Mortal Coil - Faye Wong - Harold Budd - Seefeel
Website www.cocteautwins.com
Past members
Elizabeth Fraser
Robin Guthrie
Will Heggie
Simon Raymonde
Garlands is the debut album by Scottish alternative rock band Cocteau Twins, released on 10 July 1982 by 4AD. It peaked in the top 5 of the UK Independent Albums Chart, and received support from BBC Radio 1 radio host John Peel.
Garlands is the only album the band recorded with original bassist Will Heggie. Prior to the album the band recorded a four track session for John Peel in June 1982 including "Wax and Wane" and "Garlands". A second John Peel session in January 1983 was included as bonus tracks on the cassette and CD release of Garlands. Gordon Sharp of Cindytalk provided backup vocals on "Dear Heart", "Hearsay Please", and "Hazel".
Released 10 July 1982
Recorded 1981–1982
Studio Blackwing Studios, London, England
Genre Gothic rock, post-punk
Length 35:09
Label 4AD
Producer Cocteau TwinsIvo Watts-Russell
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