| Artist |
Cocteau Twins |
| Album Title: |
Blue Bell Knoll |
| Album Cover: |
 |
| Primary Genre |
Alternative & Punk: Ambient/Dream Pop |
| Format |
CD |
| Released |
09/19/1988 |
| Label |
4AD/Capitol Records |
| Catalog No |
CDP 7 90892 2 |
| Bar Code No |
0 7777-90892-2 2 |
| Packaging |
Jewelcase |
| Tracks |
| 1.
|
Blue Bell Knoll (3:25)
|
| 2.
|
Athol-Brose (2:59)
|
| 3.
|
Carolyn's Fingers (3:08)
|
| 4.
|
For Phoebe Still A Baby (3:16)
|
| 5.
|
The Itchy Glowbo Blow (3:20)
|
| 6.
|
Cico Buff (3:49)
|
| 7.
|
Suckling The Mender (3:36)
|
| 8.
|
Spooning Good Singing Gum (3:52)
|
| 9.
|
A Kissed Out Red Floatboat (4:10)
|
| 10.
|
Ella Megalast Burls Forever (3:38)
|
|
| Date Acquired |
01/01/1990 |
| Personal Rating |
 |
| Acquired from |
Down In The Valley |
| Purchase Price |
14.00 |
Web Links |
All Music Guide Entry
Discogs Entry: |
Notes |
Photography By – Juergen Teller
Sleeve – Jeremy Tilston, Paul West (6)
Written-By, Producer – Cocteau Twins
Published by American Momentum Music/ BMI
℗ 1988 4.A.D. under exclusive licence to Capitol Records, Inc. © 1988 4.A.D.
Manufactured by Capitol Records, Inc.
Made in U.S.A.
With the variant 2 matrix no.s:
- both variant 2 strings read left to right when viewed from the label side, but the two separate variant 2 strings are upside down relative to each other
- "1-2-5 CAPITOL JAX 8C" appears to be stamped into the plastic
- "CPCD-90892-JVC 1 S 2" appears to be printed in the mirror layer, except for the final "2" in this string which appears to be stamped into the plastic, and is formatted like a superscript character
Variant 3 Matrix # appears in the mirror layer.
Barcode: 0 7777-90892-2 2
Matrix / Runout (Variant 4): 90892 4-1-1 CAPITOL JAX 2 D
|
|
| Reviews |
All Music Guide Review:
Review by Ned Raggett
The first Cocteaus album to feature a full-band lineup since Treasure was also their first full studio record released in America, resulting from the group's stateside deal with Capitol. Much to longtime fans' surprise, the Twins in fact were much more content with Capitol than 4AD, hinting at their eventual full departure from that label. This was all well and good, but the trio's new inspiration didn't fully translate into their work, unfortunately. While Blue Bell Knoll has some striking moments that are pure Cocteaus at their best -- the opening title track is especially lovely with a keyboard loop leading into Fraser's ever-wonderful vocals, a light rhythm, and a great final Guthrie solo -- it's still the band's least noteworthy release since Garlands. The feeling throughout is of a group interested in dressing up older approaches that have served them well, but aren't as distinct; the quite-lush arrangements by Guthrie are fine but the songs are a touch more pedestrian. Blue Bell Knoll has enough initial steam, however, to ensure that there are reasons to listen, happily. "Athol-Brose" has the inspirational feel that the Twins can easily create. "Carolyn's Fingers," the clear album standout, is perhaps the strongest individual Cocteau song since "Aikea-Guinea," with Fraser singing against herself over a rough, hip-hop-inspired rhythm while Guthrie peels off a fantastic main guitar melody and Raymonde contributes some supple bass work. After that amazing opening, things slowly but surely slide back a bit; most of the rest sounds okay enough to listen to, but the heartgripping intensity that defines the Twins at their best isn't present.
|
|
| Cover 1 |
 |
| Cover 2 |
 |
| Cover 3 |
 |
| Cover 4 |
 |
| Cover 5 |
 |
| Cover 6 |
 |
|
