Hi Molly. As someone who grew up loving Cocteau Twins as a teenager in the 80s, watching you discover the joy of their music put a huge smile on my face.
Agree with every word. Been a fan since I first heard them in my best friend's bedroom back in '85 when I was 16. Their music re-wired my brain for the better.
Me too. I first heard them as a young teen in 1984. Still one of my favorite bands. Great reaction vid. Nice to see someone who doesn’t necessarily have a lot of preconceived ideas about the Cocteaus respond.
Hearing Cocteau Twins Heaven or Las Vegas for the first time was the most profound musical experience I've had. An old friend would lend me random CD's from his older brother, some I liked, some not so much. So I sit down on my own and listen to this on my own with headphones. The emotional response was so intense it felt like when you are falling in love with someone.
I love hearing a young persons take on of the most influential bands of this era. If she works listen to their catalog in chronological order, it would blow her mind
Garlands, head over heels, treasure, victorialand, blue bell knoll and heaven or las vegas.. these early albums is a step apart from the one before. garlands is dark and sparse bleak feel to it then they get more fuller and more human while still having a haunting quality. they really do explore the guitar vocal symbiosis on each album. victorialand is laid back gentler style while bluebell knoll is happier warmer but still a ghost in the works feel, treasure is edgier brittle yet delightful, they have this way of combining mixed feelings emotions landscape of sound that is hard to tie down but if it gets in it's... so good..( PS please try out their EPs they are really rewarding to listen to... love's easy tears,tiny dynamine, echoes in a shallow bay, sunburst and snowblind, aikea guinea there are others too but give them a try).. good luck and thanks for posting, great stuff.
Impossible to choose a favourite CT album , but true: "Blue Bell Knoll" is definitely one of the most impressive, at least vocally🤩🤩🤩. "Victorialand" is unique too and so beautiful but "Heaven or Las Vegas" might be my favourite one for some reason... I need to listen to it a lot when I feel I'm really in love with someone. I think it describes exactly all the different layers of emotions you go through when discovering your own feelings at the very beginning. It became a sort of test to know if I'm really in love as I react with much more intensity while listening to it...😄😍
Blue Bell Knoll is one of my favourite albums. First time I heard The Itchy Glowbo Blow I knew it would hold a special place for the rest of my life, and it has. Another album I love but feel is underappreciated is Four Calendar Café.
Cocteau Twins made such ethereal pop music...love it!! Since you enjoyed this I must recommend Dead Can Dance. One of my absolute favorite bands who add a tribal rhythmic element to this ethereal style. The Serpent's Egg is a masterpiece. Thanks for bringing back some great memories with this and your Ministry review. Cheers
If you want a colder, darker vibe check out their debut Garlands. Quite a different album from the blissed out hazy warmth that followed but still excellent!
Beautiful beautiful beautiful ! There is absolutely nothing to throw with Cocteau Twins ! They reinvent themselves with each new album, the musicians are so creatives and the angelic voice of Liz is a benediction able to make us happy. This woman is a gift from heaven 💖💖💖
I heard a b-side in a documentary called Tarnation back in 2004 that gave me all those goosebumps you're getting. Cocteau Twins is Scottish, so yes there's an accent, but also the singer supposedly would just vocalize half the time. Just make sounds that would work for the emotion. Last time I heard this album was when I went to see Caroline Polachek live and the venue decided to play the whole thing before the show.
Have you listened to 'Disintegration' by The Cure? If not, that would be my recommendation because 'Heaven or Las Vegas' and 'Disintegration' were THE two "Mood-albums" to me when I was younger.
This is probably my favorite album from start to finish and the reflexions it produces in me when i hear it are unique. It was really pleasant seeing this video and your reactions about every song were put in perfect words. Nice sensitivity and emotional description.
Love to see you react to this epic dreampop LP. My favorite Cocteau LP is 'Blue Bell Knoll', its the LP that preceded Heaven, and a bit darker. The main song on that LP is 'Carolyn's Fingers', which for me, is their best song!
I've loved the Cocteaus since around 84. This album is one of their finest, every track is gold, I'm glad you got to listen to it. Blue Bell Knoll is similar to this album and preceded it. The accent you're detecting in Liz's vocals is Scottish! Your commentary is spot on.
Garlands YES !!!! It is a pure masterpiece, and Treasure even more. Heaven or Las Vegas no. It is only a simple and ordinary dreampop album equal to douzains of albums of that kind of music.
Hey Molly, similar to what Karl said, as a teen I grew up listening to the Cocteau Twins around 1983, and it's an absolute joy to hear you discovering one of their finest records - it literally made me hear the songs again with fresh ears - thank you so much for sharing your listening experience and thoughtful responses - moved me greatly!
Thank you so much, I'm glad you enjoyed the reaction! This album was absolutely breathtaking, such a beautifully unique sound. So glad I finally gave it a listen.
I'm so excited to see someone discovering them...they're absolutely my whole world and youre right they create atmospheres that you never want to leave. Mostly, Liz never sang real words and her voice was also a vibe.
This is my fav Cocteau twins reaction i come back monthly to experience ur reaction again it’s so reminiscent to what I experienced listening for the first time. Thank you for articulating my feelings when I first discovered them!!!
Wow, thanks! So glad that you enjoyed my reaction. This band is incredible, I loved every second of this beautiful album. I'll definitely have to give some more of their music a listen, it's so unique.
I almost never comment but this brought me back to hearing CT for the first time. It seems to show in her eyes. CT live was truly magnificent and some of the happiest ever memories. Decades later the fandom is just as great. And long live Scotland
Cocteau Twins are my all-time favorite band, and during 2 tours and a bunch of shows in different cities, I got to know them. They were really nice ordinary people. They were the band that influenced the genre called Dream Pop. Every album they ever put out was great. Believe it or not, they started out as a Gothic band (check their 1st release called Garlands). Elizabeth Fraser and the guitarist, Robin Guthrie (who to me was the brains and the producer of the group) are both Scottish and were at one time married to each other. Heaven Or Las Vegas came out the same year of their daughter's birth, and some of the song lyrics are about her. Her name is Lucy Belle Guthrie. They even named a record label they started after her. It's called Bella Union. Elizabeth Fraser is actually singing in a form of beautifully mutated English. People for years wondered if it was a foreign language, but almost all of it was in English, some of it being old English. The only other vocalist that I know of who did this kind of thing was the vocalist of a band that Cocteau Twins had a hand in getting signed to their 1st (and best) label 4AD, and that person's name is Lisa Garrard, of the group, Dead Can Dance. The only difference is that Lisa Garrard sings in her own made-up language, which she says is akin to when babies are 1st trying to sing. It's usually nonsense, and that's what she took to heart. I'm absolutely sure that she went down this road because of the way Elizabeth Fraser started. Both bands were started in the early 80's.
Getting to watch you discover my all time favorite band is the closest thing to getting to hear them again for the first time. I smiled the whole video. Great work :)
Great job, Molly. I’ve been a Cocteau Twins fanatic since their beginning and I really enjoyed seeing you discover them and hearing your genuine observations. I will watch more of your videos!
Well done Molly for introducing the Cocteau Twins to a new and probably wider audience. In our day, early 80s, they were kind of an enigmatic underground “alternative” band who few had really heard except on John Peel in UK, or college radio in US. If they were founded today, they’d be likely more widely known I think.
Cocteau Twins are amazing, love them! Liz Fraser is positively not of this earth. Pure magic! Definitely try Stereolab, I think they might be up your alley as well. Emperor Tomato Ketchup is a good place to start (or Dots and Loops). Love your reactions btw!👍
They really are such an amazing band, I'm so glad I've finally heard some of their music. Thanks for the further suggestions, I'll have to check them out :)
Singer, Liz, is a gem of a human being. Robin Guthrie is the guitarist and genius behind the soundscape. Gorgeous, brilliant individuals and absolutely magical together.
Since you're moving this direction, definitely check out Jeff Buckley's "Grace" -- he cites Elizabeth Frazier as a huge influence (and they dated!) but more, he's quite possibly the most angelic singer I've ever heard. He also shreds on guitar. Also, on the note of the words she's choosing: She has stated in interviews, that her lyrics were far more influenced by what sounded right for the song, than by meaning. She occasionally made words up for the syllabic rhythm and tone.
Congratulations on discovering the cocteau twins, Scotlands greatest export since dodgy whiskey! Although i think Heaven or Las vegas is their most polished album , all of them are stunning. They (Liz) was famous for having un decipherable lyrics, this was a great move as the vocals were part of the music and in a way she was providing the vocal melody as a template by which to put your own ideas or words two. Back in the eighties they were on the famously dream pop 4ad record label and this would be classed as Indie. Many people don't get the cocteau twins, i think those people have no musical perception.
Your reaction is flawlessly accurate and expressively superb, nearly the exact experience I had many years ago. Love your thoughts on one of my favorite bands of all time. Thank you!
This is absolutely one of my top 5 records. It feels very generous and warm. It's just wall-to-wall bangers, and it makes me feel like I'm floating on clouds. I've seen some of the lyrics and while they don't really make literal sense much of the time, they center all around images of pregnancy, childbirth, and motherhood. EDIT TO ADD: To me, this is the sound of when your dentist gives you pain pills and they are a lot stronger than you anticipated
Liz had a baby during this album while her husband Robbie was suffering from the loss of his father. So, Agony and ecstacy at the same time. God have mercy. I got to meet both of them in Atlanta on this tour. The concert had eight ovations!
Cocteau Twins are one of my top 5 bands of all time, and IMHO this album is their highest achievement. I had the pleasure of seeing them at the Warfield in SF. What a show. Just magical.
I was 15 in 1990 when when I first heard Heaven or Las Vegas on cassette tape. I'd previously already heard their prior albums to that point (thanks to my older brother). I still enjoy it every time I hear it, even as I am quickly approaching 50. It gets better with every listen.
My personal playlists are littered with Cocteau Twins tracks. Will never tire of 50-50 Clown. We had a brilliant radio DJ called John Peel (sadly deceased) and he championed up and coming bands and he loved Cocteau Twins. I love the weird song titles and the fact that you can never really tell if there is real lyrics or just vocals that sound like a language
Also albums Four Calendar Cafe Victorialand (Gorgeous!!!!) They put me in a space where i dont want to listen to anyone elses stuff for the rest of the day, only theirs!
I know Elizabeth Fraser's sister! I also occasionally message Simon Raymonde too and know one of the founders Will Heggie! they have all signed various vinyl etc for me.. HUGE Cocteau Twins fan here! C 09 - 08 - 23
Your Instagram stories got me SO hyped for this reaction, and here it is! This dream pop masterpiece never fails to bring tears to my eyes, that's the power of Elizabeth Fraser's vocals ahahahah I'm so glad you decided to listen to Heaven Or Las Vegas and I agree with basically everything you said in the video, this album is pure perfection! The comparison you made with My Bloody Valentine is actually on point, shoegaze and dream pop are two very close genres and often blend into each other (try giving another listen to the song "Blown A Wish" from Loveless now that you've heard Cocteau Twins, it's basically the same sound). Regarding the lyrics, they're actually written in English but Fraser's pronounciation is purposefully exaggerated to make them difficult to grasp: this is more evident on other Cocteau Twins albums (Treasure, the third one, is a good example of this), which you should absolutely check out because they're just as great!
It was so much fun watching your reaction to one of my favorite albums. If you like Cocteau Twins and My Bloody Valentine, you might check out one of the more obscure bands of the era, Curve. I'd love to watch your first time listening to their debut album, Doppelgänger.
Have you ever listened to a full album by The Cure? I was remembering the story that Robert Smith put a Cocteau Twins album to play on his wedding and it made me think “that would be a great mash”.
Such a wonderful album! I think my introduction to Cocteau Twins (apart from hearing Elizabeth Fraser's vocals on Massive Attack's Mezzanine) was the song Pitch the Baby which intrigued me enough to make me listen to the rest of the album as well. Some of my personal Cocteau Twins favourites are the Victorialand album, the compilation album The Pink Opaque and the song Pink Orange Red (the lyrics of which are a list of Latin butterfly names).
I'm so glad you chose to review this album. I discovered it a while back, and it's truly a masterpiece. To answer your question as to why the vocals sound heavily accented at points, I think that's simply because the singer, Elizabeth Fraser, is Scottish. Also, I have an album recommendation. You should check out Power, Corruption, and Lies by New Order. I think you'd really enjoy it.
I’m so happy you finally listened to Cocteau Twins. One of my favorite bands. Another band that you should eventually check out is Slowdive. Cheers Molly!
I Wear Your Ring is a top ten shoegaze track! I love this album to death, and my personal favorite from the Twins. From Mr Bungle to Deafheaven, I’ve been reliving some of the most important music in my life through this channel. Whoever is feeding you the recommendations is killing it.
Everything from them is amazing, definitely my favorite band (out of a lot). I like their last four albums (including this one) the most. Btw, the singer, Elizabeth Frazer, uses all kinds of non-existing words and abstract phrases. It's all about sound. Other great dreampop bands from that era are Lush and The Sundays. You might also like the sadcore/slowcore genre from the early nineties with bands like The Red House Painters, Slowdive and Low.
Someone else in the comments mentioned her unique use of vocals as well. I kinda love how random it is, a sort of collection of words that simply sound good strung together. Really goes to show how music can transcend words when it comes to having an emotional impact, because despite how random the lyrics are across this album I found it very emotionally evocative. And thanks for the further suggestions, I will have to check them out!
The Cocteau Twins, and this album in particular, is about as close as humans have ever come to achieving perfection, an absolutely otherworldly, angelic and pristine bit of musical beauty, life would be less without it for sure..
This album is perfect! Also, would love to see you react to some Black Gaze albums from artists like Alcest and/or Sylvaine Oh, and also, Our Time in Eden by 10.000 Maniacs. A fantastic 90s alt rock album.
Long time ago i've had a cell phone called Siemens SL45. It was long before Spotify and UA-cam times. It has one thing - it was able to contain few songs as MP3 to play it back. I don't remember what was those other songs i've had, but the one i remember it was Heaven or Las Vegas - I absolutely loved it! From then i fell in love with Cocteau Twins!
This album and my bloody valentine's loveless sound like falling in love. The way that I perceive the album is that the main character starts to have feelings of deep love and trust for someone that they have gotten to know for some time. The opening track, Cherry-Coloured Funk, is the beginning of these feelings (almost like a butterflies in the stomach type thing). By the time Iceblink Luck comes around, the main character only wants the best and basically wants to throw out any circumstances that are negative or lead to bad luck (this song reminds me of The Cure's Doing The Unstuck). When we get to Heaven Or Las Vegas and Fotzepolitic, the main character at both of these points during the album grows a strong connection with the other character to the point where it feels like Heaven and is absolutely peaceful and heartwarming when both characters are together, but at the same time during some days, the main character wonders if what they are experiencing together is "too good to be true" which could apply to the title track and the title of the album. Finally, during Frou-Frou Foxes In Midsummer Fires, the main character could be leaving this person that they have made a connection with due to some unusual circumstances, and it is a cry for hope that they will both see each other again someday. loveless could be implementing similar feelings that this album has, but applies more to feelings of "nostalgic love" rather than realistic feelings of love (which could be implemented into any kind of "ship" (even a really close friendship or relationship that doesn't have any sexual or romantic implication)).
I saw the tour for this in on a good night. On my list of top performances musically, but they filled the venue with fog and put on one of the best light shows I've ever seen (props to the production team for that, had a perfect venue)...still. Elizabeth Fraser is the vocalist. Scottish, so accent is there. Gone on to many great things. Lyrics are almost flow of consciousness, but she also deliberately mispronounces words for musical effect. Unique...welcome to 80's music. There was a lot of that.
In 1991 I had a transcendent experience listening to this music on my Walkman on a plane flying to Portugal while still buzzing from some Ecstasy I'd had at a party the night before! We were flying above a huge bank of clouds and I felt as though I was in heaven!
Knew you would like this band. I was someone recommending them a lot. Great job with the reaction, you have a talent for this, one of my favorite reaction channels. Here’s another suggestion, Dead Can Dance - Anastasis.
Road River and Rail sounds really like Shantell by And Also The Tree, absolutly in love with this band, this LP was the first I bought from them, every LP from them is a masterpiece and Liz Fraser is an absolutly terrific singer with her flying above voice. It's a great pleasure for me to know you, everything you say is brilliant,your voice is fascinating and your smile is so lovely.
Well, I'd go with Treasure next, but if you like the syrupy side of Heaven or Las Vegas, then Four Calendar Cafe is the logical follow up. They have several EPs which are excellent, and would be good for a shorter segment. I'd recommend Love's Easy Tears, or Aikea-Guinea.
Funny to hear you're mentionning My Bloody V., since Kevin MBV and Robin CT are actually good friends (and guitar gear freaks). Check Mazzy Star ("so tonight...) who opened for the CT decades ago.
I loved your take on the album. It's one of my favorites since it first came out. I'm sure someone's told you by now, but the reason you don't understand the words is because Liz didn't sing in any language. She uses words here and there, but part of the beauty is the lack of meaning to the sound she makes. You're not trapped into what the song means to the lyricist.
Hi Molly. As someone who grew up loving Cocteau Twins as a teenager in the 80s, watching you discover the joy of their music put a huge smile on my face.
Agree with every word. Been a fan since I first heard them in my best friend's bedroom back in '85 when I was 16. Their music re-wired my brain for the better.
Me too. I first heard them as a young teen in 1984. Still one of my favorite bands.
Great reaction vid. Nice to see someone who doesn’t necessarily have a lot of preconceived ideas about the Cocteaus respond.
I know Gen X gets a lof of flak but they made the best music!
YESSSS!!! We love Dream pop and shoegaze!
Absolutely!! :D
Yep. I can attest to that.
The first time hearing this album is a holy experience - you're so lucky to be having that!!!
Hearing Cocteau Twins Heaven or Las Vegas for the first time was the most profound musical experience I've had. An old friend would lend me random CD's from his older brother, some I liked, some not so much. So I sit down on my own and listen to this on my own with headphones. The emotional response was so intense it felt like when you are falling in love with someone.
this is the way i feel about frou frou foxes. such a magical experience
yes, much of their music sounds like how love feels.
I love hearing a young persons take on of the most influential bands of this era. If she works listen to their catalog in chronological order, it would blow her mind
The briefest summary of Cocteau Twins - they didn't make music, they made magic.
5:48 I always feel those goosebumps too. Fifty-fifty clown is my favorite song on this album by far ❤
Mine too
Four Calendar Cafe is also a really great album from Cocteau Twins.
Garlands, head over heels, treasure, victorialand, blue bell knoll and heaven or las vegas.. these early albums is a step apart from the one before. garlands is dark and sparse bleak feel to it then they get more fuller and more human while still having a haunting quality. they really do explore the guitar vocal symbiosis on each album. victorialand is laid back gentler style while bluebell knoll is happier warmer but still a ghost in the works feel, treasure is edgier brittle yet delightful, they have this way of combining mixed feelings emotions landscape of sound that is hard to tie down but if it gets in it's... so good..( PS please try out their EPs they are really rewarding to listen to... love's easy tears,tiny dynamine, echoes in a shallow bay, sunburst and snowblind, aikea guinea there are others too but give them a try).. good luck and thanks for posting, great stuff.
This is making me so happy, they are genius and it's so good to have a new member of our crew. Welcome!
Cocteau Twins is like a delirium becoming an atmosphere.
‼️💯👊👍👏👏👏 Well said!
My favorite Cocteau Twins album is Blue Bell Knoll - so damn good
Can't wait to hear that one too!
Same. This is their best album, but my personal favourite is Blue Bell Knoll - had it on repeat when it came out (yes, I'm that old) 🙂
Impossible to choose a favourite CT album , but true: "Blue Bell Knoll" is definitely one of the most impressive, at least vocally🤩🤩🤩. "Victorialand" is unique too and so beautiful but "Heaven or Las Vegas" might be my favourite one for some reason... I need to listen to it a lot when I feel I'm really in love with someone. I think it describes exactly all the different layers of emotions you go through when discovering your own feelings at the very beginning. It became a sort of test to know if I'm really in love as I react with much more intensity while listening to it...😄😍
Blue Bell Knoll is one of my favourite albums. First time I heard The Itchy Glowbo Blow I knew it would hold a special place for the rest of my life, and it has. Another album I love but feel is underappreciated is Four Calendar Café.
This.
Cocteau Twins made such ethereal pop music...love it!!
Since you enjoyed this I must recommend Dead Can Dance. One of my absolute favorite bands who add a tribal rhythmic element to this ethereal style. The Serpent's Egg is a masterpiece.
Thanks for bringing back some great memories with this and your Ministry review.
Cheers
I had pitch the baby on repeat for months. That song goes hard and it’s like no one knows. Very under the radar
Such a great song!!
Best track from this album & one of my first choices if I compile a CT playlist 😊
Liz Fraser's voice is simply incredible.
this album is fucking amazing, you will never forget it anymore
You definitely should listen to Cocteau Twins's album "Treasure" You WONT regret it 😁😁😁
"Garlands" for me, but there's a whole bunch of good albums there.
@@wulfgold that's a good album as well!
If you want a colder, darker vibe check out their debut Garlands. Quite a different album from the blissed out hazy warmth that followed but still excellent!
Ooh, sounds like something I'd enjoy! I'll definitely have to give that album a listen too.
"Garlands" is by far their best, IMO.
that also has wax and wane on it, which is one if the songs deftones have covered
Amen
Blind Dumb Deaf is still my favorite CT song
Such an amazing Album.
It's absolutely heavenly, her voice is magical. I'm so glad that I've finally checked out Cocteau Twins!
Cocteau Twins are kind of unique in the world of music : their music is so sophisticated, smooth and delicate : my gosh this is high quality music !!!
Beautiful beautiful beautiful ! There is absolutely nothing to throw with Cocteau Twins ! They reinvent themselves with each new album, the musicians are so creatives and the angelic voice of Liz is a benediction able to make us happy. This woman is a gift from heaven 💖💖💖
I heard a b-side in a documentary called Tarnation back in 2004 that gave me all those goosebumps you're getting. Cocteau Twins is Scottish, so yes there's an accent, but also the singer supposedly would just vocalize half the time. Just make sounds that would work for the emotion. Last time I heard this album was when I went to see Caroline Polachek live and the venue decided to play the whole thing before the show.
Ooh I will have to give that b-side track a listen!
@@mollyesanborn ua-cam.com/video/9_tOP9xXa64/v-deo.html
Hi saw your post, what Liz does is called "Pixelating"they are close friends of ours. She sings backwards Gaelic and old english.
@@DanielChavisWho are friends of yours?
I would go just to hear this album played out loud at a concert venue
Have you listened to 'Disintegration' by The Cure? If not, that would be my recommendation because 'Heaven or Las Vegas' and 'Disintegration' were THE two "Mood-albums" to me when I was younger.
No, I've never heard the whole album. I'll definitely have to dive into The Cure at some point :)
I second this, I just heard the whole thing at the beginning of the year and was blown away lol
Plainsong!
Disintegration is a perfect album.
This is probably my favorite album from start to finish and the reflexions it produces in me when i hear it are unique. It was really pleasant seeing this video and your reactions about every song were put in perfect words. Nice sensitivity and emotional description.
Love to see you react to this epic dreampop LP. My favorite Cocteau LP is 'Blue Bell Knoll', its the LP that preceded Heaven, and a bit darker. The main song on that LP is 'Carolyn's Fingers', which for me, is their best song!
I've loved the Cocteaus since around 84. This album is one of their finest, every track is gold, I'm glad you got to listen to it. Blue Bell Knoll is similar to this album and preceded it. The accent you're detecting in Liz's vocals is Scottish! Your commentary is spot on.
I love your descriptions of one of the most beautiful album of all time!
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed the reaction :)
You need to hear their very first album GARLANDS. Pure dark bliss 🖤
Garlands YES !!!! It is a pure masterpiece, and Treasure even more. Heaven or Las Vegas no. It is only a simple and ordinary dreampop album equal to douzains of albums of that kind of music.
I used to listen to this band while walking city streets on rainy nights.
Hey Molly, similar to what Karl said, as a teen I grew up listening to the Cocteau Twins around 1983, and it's an absolute joy to hear you discovering one of their finest records - it literally made me hear the songs again with fresh ears - thank you so much for sharing your listening experience and thoughtful responses - moved me greatly!
Thank you so much, I'm glad you enjoyed the reaction! This album was absolutely breathtaking, such a beautifully unique sound. So glad I finally gave it a listen.
Your commentary is spot on. This is one of the greatest albums ever.
I appreciate that, yeah this album is absolutely mesmerizing!
I'm so excited to see someone discovering them...they're absolutely my whole world and youre right they create atmospheres that you never want to leave. Mostly, Liz never sang real words and her voice was also a vibe.
This is my fav Cocteau twins reaction i come back monthly to experience ur reaction again it’s so reminiscent to what I experienced listening for the first time. Thank you for articulating my feelings when I first discovered them!!!
Wow, thanks! So glad that you enjoyed my reaction. This band is incredible, I loved every second of this beautiful album. I'll definitely have to give some more of their music a listen, it's so unique.
Slowdive's Souvlaki would be another worthwhile album to check out, as you've enjoyed both this and My Bloody Valentine.
Yes :) SlowDive doesn’t get enough credit
I love both CT n slowdive but MBV is just not mine
@@Tay-wk3jj right same, i just jive with their music for whatever reason
YES‼️💯 I recommend that album to any new people I meet that "love" music.👍👊
Pretty amazing album. Track 2 is otherworldly---sounds like floating across interstellar space.
I just found them tonight and I love their music! Thanks for this video!
Yessssss! You should listen to their album "Treasure" next. Or "Head over Heels".
For sure, I'd love to hear both of those albums!
Listen to them ALL.. lol ;-)
anybody reading this hit up treasure if your first listen was Heaven or Las Vegas. the contrast would be interesting
I love witnessing someone hear them for the first time! I saw them live when they toured for this album -- absolutely magnificent hearing them live!
I almost never comment but this brought me back to hearing CT for the first time. It seems to show in her eyes. CT live was truly magnificent and some of the happiest ever memories. Decades later the fandom is just as great. And long live Scotland
Cocteau Twins are my all-time favorite band, and during 2 tours and a bunch of shows in different cities, I got to know them. They were really nice ordinary people. They were the band that influenced the genre called Dream Pop. Every album they ever put out was great. Believe it or not, they started out as a Gothic band (check their 1st release called Garlands). Elizabeth Fraser and the guitarist, Robin Guthrie (who to me was the brains and the producer of the group) are both Scottish and were at one time married to each other. Heaven Or Las Vegas came out the same year of their daughter's birth, and some of the song lyrics are about her. Her name is Lucy Belle Guthrie. They even named a record label they started after her. It's called Bella Union. Elizabeth Fraser is actually singing in a form of beautifully mutated English. People for years wondered if it was a foreign language, but almost all of it was in English, some of it being old English. The only other vocalist that I know of who did this kind of thing was the vocalist of a band that Cocteau Twins had a hand in getting signed to their 1st (and best) label 4AD, and that person's name is Lisa Garrard, of the group, Dead Can Dance. The only difference is that Lisa Garrard sings in her own made-up language, which she says is akin to when babies are 1st trying to sing. It's usually nonsense, and that's what she took to heart. I'm absolutely sure that she went down this road because of the way Elizabeth Fraser started. Both bands were started in the early 80's.
I have found lyrics on Genius or some other lyrics site. Did the transcribers just make up their own lyrics?
I got goosebumps watching you get goosebumps. I'm jealous you got to listen to this for the first time, but grateful I know them at all.
Getting to watch you discover my all time favorite band is the closest thing to getting to hear them again for the first time. I smiled the whole video. Great work :)
Great job, Molly. I’ve been a Cocteau Twins fanatic since their beginning and I really enjoyed seeing you discover them and hearing your genuine observations. I will watch more of your videos!
Yeah this album was so beautiful, I'm glad I've finally heard it! Thanks for checking out the reaction :)
I spent the afternoon watching react videos of the Cocteau Twins, and yours is the most insightful.
Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed the reaction :)
beautiful album, one of my all time favorites
Yes, this is such a gorgeous record!
one of my fav albums of all time so glad u checked it out 🙏🏼
This album blew me away... I expected it to be good but it far exceeded my expectations. I can see why it's a favorite of all time for you.
Well done Molly for introducing the Cocteau Twins to a new and probably wider audience. In our day, early 80s, they were kind of an enigmatic underground “alternative” band who few had really heard except on John Peel in UK, or college radio in US. If they were founded today, they’d be likely more widely known I think.
Cocteau Twins are amazing, love them! Liz Fraser is positively not of this earth. Pure magic!
Definitely try Stereolab, I think they might be up your alley as well. Emperor Tomato Ketchup is a good place to start (or Dots and Loops).
Love your reactions btw!👍
They really are such an amazing band, I'm so glad I've finally heard some of their music. Thanks for the further suggestions, I'll have to check them out :)
Yes, Dots and Loops!
Saw this wonderful band in Glasgow Barrowlands in October 1990 on their tour for this album. Incredible.
Great review! My favorite band😁 What til you hear the other albums, more reviews plz
Singer, Liz, is a gem of a human being. Robin Guthrie is the guitarist and genius behind the soundscape.
Gorgeous, brilliant individuals and absolutely magical together.
THANK YOU FOR DOING THIS ONE!! God, it is quite possibly my favorite album of all time.
Since you're moving this direction, definitely check out Jeff Buckley's "Grace" -- he cites Elizabeth Frazier as a huge influence (and they dated!) but more, he's quite possibly the most angelic singer I've ever heard. He also shreds on guitar.
Also, on the note of the words she's choosing: She has stated in interviews, that her lyrics were far more influenced by what sounded right for the song, than by meaning. She occasionally made words up for the syllabic rhythm and tone.
Congratulations on discovering the cocteau twins, Scotlands greatest export since dodgy whiskey! Although i think Heaven or Las vegas is their most polished album , all of them are stunning. They (Liz) was famous for having un decipherable lyrics, this was a great move as the vocals were part of the music and in a way she was providing the vocal melody as a template by which to put your own ideas or words two. Back in the eighties they were on the famously dream pop 4ad record label and this would be classed as Indie. Many people don't get the cocteau twins, i think those people have no musical perception.
The guitar tone In Cocteau Twins music has lot of effects like Chorus, Vibrato, Flanger and Reverb
That's is the sound of them
Your reaction is flawlessly accurate and expressively superb, nearly the exact experience I had many years ago.
Love your thoughts on one of my favorite bands of all time. Thank you!
This is absolutely one of my top 5 records. It feels very generous and warm. It's just wall-to-wall bangers, and it makes me feel like I'm floating on clouds. I've seen some of the lyrics and while they don't really make literal sense much of the time, they center all around images of pregnancy, childbirth, and motherhood. EDIT TO ADD: To me, this is the sound of when your dentist gives you pain pills and they are a lot stronger than you anticipated
Liz had a baby during this album while her husband Robbie was suffering from the loss of his father. So, Agony and ecstacy at the same time. God have mercy. I got to meet both of them in Atlanta on this tour. The concert had eight ovations!
that description is the most accurate thing in the world 🤣
Enjoyed your reaction. Four Calendar Cafe is a good album too.
Lols. I actually only like ONE song from that - Summerhead.
This album be underrated af
Have never heard Cocteau Twins but enjoyed the album & loved your reactions!
Cocteau Twins are one of my top 5 bands of all time, and IMHO this album is their highest achievement.
I had the pleasure of seeing them at the Warfield in SF. What a show. Just magical.
P.S. To get the most out of your listening experiences, I recommend investing in better headphones, and maybe whatever you are using to drive them.
Yeah Cocteau Twins ❤❤❤❤❤
WHAT a talented band!! I am so glad that I've finally heard some of their music.
@@mollyesanborn I heared them first time on VH1 in 2017 ,I fall in love with their music in a second
@@EduardoPinto814 I fell in love probably 30 seconds into Cherry-coloured Funk, haha! They've got such a great sound.
Yayyy love when you upload!!! Best reaction channel
Aww thank you! I appreciate the support :)
There's a live remix of Pitch the Baby that's absolutely haunting and hypnotic. Highly recommended.
I love this album- in particular Cherry Colored Funk and I Wear Your Ring. Both songs you can almost make out the lyrics!
I was 15 in 1990 when when I first heard Heaven or Las Vegas on cassette tape. I'd previously already heard their prior albums to that point (thanks to my older brother). I still enjoy it every time I hear it, even as I am quickly approaching 50. It gets better with every listen.
My personal playlists are littered with Cocteau Twins tracks. Will never tire of 50-50 Clown. We had a brilliant radio DJ called John Peel (sadly deceased) and he championed up and coming bands and he loved Cocteau Twins. I love the weird song titles and the fact that you can never really tell if there is real lyrics or just vocals that sound like a language
Also albums
Four Calendar Cafe
Victorialand
(Gorgeous!!!!)
They put me in a space where i dont want to listen to anyone elses stuff for the rest of the day, only theirs!
I know Elizabeth Fraser's sister! I also occasionally message Simon Raymonde too and know one of the founders Will Heggie! they have all signed various vinyl etc for me..
HUGE Cocteau Twins fan here!
C 09 - 08 - 23
Your Instagram stories got me SO hyped for this reaction, and here it is! This dream pop masterpiece never fails to bring tears to my eyes, that's the power of Elizabeth Fraser's vocals ahahahah
I'm so glad you decided to listen to Heaven Or Las Vegas and I agree with basically everything you said in the video, this album is pure perfection! The comparison you made with My Bloody Valentine is actually on point, shoegaze and dream pop are two very close genres and often blend into each other (try giving another listen to the song "Blown A Wish" from Loveless now that you've heard Cocteau Twins, it's basically the same sound). Regarding the lyrics, they're actually written in English but Fraser's pronounciation is purposefully exaggerated to make them difficult to grasp: this is more evident on other Cocteau Twins albums (Treasure, the third one, is a good example of this), which you should absolutely check out because they're just as great!
It was so much fun watching your reaction to one of my favorite albums. If you like Cocteau Twins and My Bloody Valentine, you might check out one of the more obscure bands of the era, Curve. I'd love to watch your first time listening to their debut album, Doppelgänger.
Have you ever listened to a full album by The Cure? I was remembering the story that Robert Smith put a Cocteau Twins album to play on his wedding and it made me think “that would be a great mash”.
i don't know if you heard but we need a slowdive souvlaki video, one of the greatest shoegaze/dreampop albums of 90s
I've got that album on my list! Can't wait to check it out :)
Slowdive are amazing.
@@mollyesanborn I'll be attentive, you make great content, greetings!
Such a wonderful album! I think my introduction to Cocteau Twins (apart from hearing Elizabeth Fraser's vocals on Massive Attack's Mezzanine) was the song Pitch the Baby which intrigued me enough to make me listen to the rest of the album as well. Some of my personal Cocteau Twins favourites are the Victorialand album, the compilation album The Pink Opaque and the song Pink Orange Red (the lyrics of which are a list of Latin butterfly names).
I'm so glad you chose to review this album. I discovered it a while back, and it's truly a masterpiece. To answer your question as to why the vocals sound heavily accented at points, I think that's simply because the singer, Elizabeth Fraser, is Scottish.
Also, I have an album recommendation. You should check out Power, Corruption, and Lies by New Order. I think you'd really enjoy it.
I’m so happy you finally listened to Cocteau Twins. One of my favorite bands. Another band that you should eventually check out is Slowdive. Cheers Molly!
I Wear Your Ring is a top ten shoegaze track! I love this album to death, and my personal favorite from the Twins.
From Mr Bungle to Deafheaven, I’ve been reliving some of the most important music in my life through this channel. Whoever is feeding you the recommendations is killing it.
Yeah the suggestions I get have all been great! Glad you're enjoying the channel :)
Everything from them is amazing, definitely my favorite band (out of a lot). I like their last four albums (including this one) the most. Btw, the singer, Elizabeth Frazer, uses all kinds of non-existing words and abstract phrases. It's all about sound. Other great dreampop bands from that era are Lush and The Sundays. You might also like the sadcore/slowcore genre from the early nineties with bands like The Red House Painters, Slowdive and Low.
Someone else in the comments mentioned her unique use of vocals as well. I kinda love how random it is, a sort of collection of words that simply sound good strung together. Really goes to show how music can transcend words when it comes to having an emotional impact, because despite how random the lyrics are across this album I found it very emotionally evocative. And thanks for the further suggestions, I will have to check them out!
@@mollyesanborn Well said. Enjoy! :)
I second Red House Painters , also Catherine Wheel and Swervedriver.
Lush and Low are dope. "Here's Where The Story Ends" from The Sundays is one of my fav songs lol. Souvlaki is so so so good
Susanne Sundfor namedrop - love it! Big fan, and that's a great observation. Similar tone vocally.
Good call on the Oblivion reference. I can hear it too.
Glad I'm not the only one that hears that! Their voices really do have a similar tone.
The Cocteau Twins, and this album in particular, is about as close as humans have ever come to achieving perfection, an absolutely otherworldly, angelic and pristine bit of musical beauty, life would be less without it for sure..
As a long time fan of Cocteau Twins i must say your reaction was very interesting and intelligent, Good for you.
Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed the reaction :)
@@mollyesanborn Check out- "Dead Can Dance" ,Album: "Within the realm of a dying sun"
Great album! Slowdive, Broadcast and Beach House are good directions to continue your dreampop journey.
I wear your ring is my favorite of this album
This album is perfect!
Also, would love to see you react to some Black Gaze albums from artists like Alcest and/or Sylvaine
Oh, and also, Our Time in Eden by 10.000 Maniacs. A fantastic 90s alt rock album.
Long time ago i've had a cell phone called Siemens SL45. It was long before Spotify and UA-cam times. It has one thing - it was able to contain few songs as MP3 to play it back. I don't remember what was those other songs i've had, but the one i remember it was Heaven or Las Vegas - I absolutely loved it! From then i fell in love with Cocteau Twins!
This album and my bloody valentine's loveless sound like falling in love. The way that I perceive the album is that the main character starts to have feelings of deep love and trust for someone that they have gotten to know for some time. The opening track, Cherry-Coloured Funk, is the beginning of these feelings (almost like a butterflies in the stomach type thing). By the time Iceblink Luck comes around, the main character only wants the best and basically wants to throw out any circumstances that are negative or lead to bad luck (this song reminds me of The Cure's Doing The Unstuck). When we get to Heaven Or Las Vegas and Fotzepolitic, the main character at both of these points during the album grows a strong connection with the other character to the point where it feels like Heaven and is absolutely peaceful and heartwarming when both characters are together, but at the same time during some days, the main character wonders if what they are experiencing together is "too good to be true" which could apply to the title track and the title of the album. Finally, during Frou-Frou Foxes In Midsummer Fires, the main character could be leaving this person that they have made a connection with due to some unusual circumstances, and it is a cry for hope that they will both see each other again someday. loveless could be implementing similar feelings that this album has, but applies more to feelings of "nostalgic love" rather than realistic feelings of love (which could be implemented into any kind of "ship" (even a really close friendship or relationship that doesn't have any sexual or romantic implication)).
I highly recommend you listen to "Pandora (for Cindy) probably one of the most beautiful songs ever made in this world!
Can't wait to hear it! I will definitely have to do some more Cocteau Twins albums now :)
@@mollyesanbornHave you heard it yet ? It's one of my favorite song !
Wow, didn't expect this one, but I love this album! Love that you've been doing some stuff that's not strictly within the metal/heavy rock sphere.
I saw the tour for this in on a good night. On my list of top performances musically, but they filled the venue with fog and put on one of the best light shows I've ever seen (props to the production team for that, had a perfect venue)...still. Elizabeth Fraser is the vocalist. Scottish, so accent is there. Gone on to many great things. Lyrics are almost flow of consciousness, but she also deliberately mispronounces words for musical effect. Unique...welcome to 80's music. There was a lot of that.
I love when people react to Cocteau Twins! No other band quite like them before or since. The name is pronounced “Cock-toe Twins” by the way. 🙂
Thanks ! I was going to tell her that myself! 🙃
In 1991 I had a transcendent experience listening to this music on my Walkman on a plane flying to Portugal while still buzzing from some Ecstasy I'd had at a party the night before! We were flying above a huge bank of clouds and I felt as though I was in heaven!
My favorites are frou frou foxes, heaven or las vegas, and fotzepolitic :-) i also had pitch the baby on repeat for weeks, reminds me of sewing
Knew you would like this band. I was someone recommending them a lot. Great job with the reaction, you have a talent for this, one of my favorite reaction channels. Here’s another suggestion, Dead Can Dance - Anastasis.
Great band, great album. My favourite album from them is 'Treasure'. Absolute masterpiece.
Beatrix is my favorite song
An absolute "Treasure."
@@tiredofinternetcultureI love Amelia
The Cocteau Twins were magicians! Absolutely fantastic! I love them and have been listening to them for decades! Elisabeth Fraser's voice is ethereal!
Road River and Rail sounds really like Shantell by And Also The Tree, absolutly in love with this band, this LP was the first I bought from them, every LP from them is a masterpiece and Liz Fraser is an absolutly terrific singer with her flying above voice. It's a great pleasure for me to know you, everything you say is brilliant,your voice is fascinating and your smile is so lovely.
Well, I'd go with Treasure next, but if you like the syrupy side of Heaven or Las Vegas, then Four Calendar Cafe is the logical follow up. They have several EPs which are excellent, and would be good for a shorter segment. I'd recommend Love's Easy Tears, or Aikea-Guinea.
Heaven or Las Vegas should be played at every HS prom.
Amazing commentary on this Gorgeous Album
Thank you! Yes it is indeed a beautiful record. So glad I've finally given it a listen!
Funny to hear you're mentionning My Bloody V., since Kevin MBV and Robin CT are actually good friends (and guitar gear freaks). Check Mazzy Star ("so tonight...) who opened for the CT decades ago.
I loved your take on the album. It's one of my favorites since it first came out. I'm sure someone's told you by now, but the reason you don't understand the words is because Liz didn't sing in any language. She uses words here and there, but part of the beauty is the lack of meaning to the sound she makes. You're not trapped into what the song means to the lyricist.