Cocteau Twins / Victorialand
Artist Cocteau Twins
Album Title: Victorialand
Album Cover:
Primary Genre Alternative & Punk: Ambient/Dream Pop
Format CD
Released 04/00/1986
Reissue Date 02/10/2003
Label 4AD
Catalog No GAD 602 CD
Bar Code No 6 52637 06022 5
Reissue Yes
Packaging Jewelcase
Tracks
1. Lazy Calm (6:36)
2. Fluffy Tufts (3:07)
3. Throughout The Dark Months Of April And May (3:05)
4. Whales Tails (3:18)
5. Oomingmak (2:43)
6. Little Spacey (3:28)
7. Feet-Like Fins (3:27)
8. How To Bring A Blush To The Snow (3:52)
9. The Thinner The Air (3:16)
Date Acquired 06/26/2003
Personal Rating
Acquired from Tower Records (Chicago)
Purchase Price 10.00

Web Links

All Music Guide Entry
Discogs Entry:

Notes

2003 Remaster by Robin Guthrie

Producer – Cocteau Twins
Remastered By – Robin Guthrie
Saxophone, Tabla [Tablas] – Richard Thomas (2)
Sleeve – 23 Envelope
Written-By, Performer – Elizabeth Fraser, Robin Guthrie

Richard Thomas courtesy of Dif Juz.
On booklet: Published by Momentum Music Ltd. Beggars Banquet Music Ltd. ℗ & © 1986 4.A.D.
On inner spine: ℗ 1986 4AD Ltd. © 2002 4AD Ltd.
Revised artwork.

Barcode: 6 52637 06022 5
Matrix / Runout: Z16808 Q9 GAD2 602-2 01 M0S1
Label Code: LC 05807

Reviews
All Music Guide Review:

Review by Ned Raggett
With Raymonde taking a break to work on the second This Mortal Coil album, Fraser and Guthrie made up the Cocteaus for the first full-length follow-up to Treasure. Rather than trying for a full-band approach, Fraser and Guthrie instead created a much more simply beautiful effort, with a relaxed air to it. Rhythms are subtler, with bass and drum machine often totally eschewed in favor of Guthrie's delicate guitar filigrees and lush, produced textures. Fraser is, as always, in wonderfully fine voice; her words are quite indecipherable, but the feelings are no less strong for it. "Lazy Calm" starts things perfectly, as deep, heavily-treated guitar strums combine with a heavy flange and guest saxophone from Dif Juz member Richard Thomas. Other songs sparkle with a lovely vivaciousness. Far from being stereotypical arty music to sit around and be gloomy to, two pieces especially shine with a gentle energy: "Fluffy Tufts," with its many-layered ringing strings and Fraser's overdubbed vocals; and the joyful "Little Spacey," with a soft rhythm underlying more sheer electric loveliness. Guthrie adds heavy reverb and overdubbed lines to create the Cocteaus' wash on such songs as "Throughout the Dark Months of April and May" and "Feet Like Fins," the latter again featuring Thomas, this time on tablas. For all the sweet beauty of Victorialand, things end on a quietly dramatic note, but a dramatic one nonetheless. "The Thinner the Air" starts with treated piano and rather spooky guitar leads -- the mysterious soloing is especially wonderful -- while Fraser then sings with a slightly haunted feeling, concluding with slightly nervous wails. It's an unexpected but effective touch for this fine record.

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