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Cocteau Twins CD Single Box Set [1991]
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The Cocteau Twins have often been unfairly derided for always sounding the same. Anybody that jumps to this conclusion either needs a new set of ears or has only listened to the releases of their final years. While it\'s fairly easy to track their development through their numerous studio albums, there is a significant amount of outside material that is just as important in their musical career. Few bands are familiar with the idea of an EP these days, but back in the 80s the Cocteau Twins were masters of the format. A couple of the releases included in here are a little flimsy (most notably the Peppermint Pig EP), but the gems among them really shine.
The Lullabies EP has the same bite and grit of the Garlands album, and showcases a darker side of the Twins that never really shows up again. Still, it\'s a great example of where it all began. The true beauty begins with the 3rd disc, however - the stunning Sunburst and Snowblind. While Head Over Heels, the album that preceded it (and also produced the first track, Sugar Hiccup), still had a certain edginess about it, Sunburst and Snowblind has more in common with Treasure, and shows a switch to the softer, textural depth of the band. The Spangle Maker EP is hardly a step down either, pushing the band even further into the thickness of their lush melodies; both the title track and Pearly Dewdrops\' Drops are hauntingly gorgeous. Aikea Guinea marks a focus on the so-called \"landscape music\" period of the band, with melodies that paint pictures of specific locales - a style that is further explored on the Tiny Dynamine and Echoes in a Shallow Bay EPs (as well as the Moon & Melodies collaboration and Victorialand album). The final two EPs (Love\'s Easy Tears and Iceblink Luck) show a general cohesion into their later, more familiar musical style, as found on works like Blue Bell Knoll and Heaven or Las Vegas. A bonus, tenth CD is included with four tracks that either were released on separate 4ad compilations or just had not yet seen the light of day.
Overall, this is a collection that should not be overlooked by any Cocteau Twins fan. While the CDs are certainly short in comparison to the full-length releases, they each represent a vital piece in the beautiful jigsaw of their musical repertoire. An absolute must have.
Disc 1: Lullabies
1. Feathers-Oar-Blades
2. Alas Dies Laughing
3. It\'s All But An Ark Lark
Disc 2: Peppermint Pig
1. Peppermint Pig (7in Version)
2. Laugh Lines
3. Hazel
4. Peppermint Pig (12in Version)
Disc 3: Sunburst and Snowblind
1. Sugar Hiccup
2. From The Flagstones
3. Hitherto
4. Because Of Whirl-Jack
Disc 4: Tiny Dynamine
1. Pink Orange Red
2. Ribbed And Veined
3. Plain Tiger
4. Sultitan Itan
Disc 5: Echoes in a Shallow Bay
1. Great Spangled Fritillary
2. Melonella
3. Pale Clouded White
4. Eggs And Their Shells
Disc 6: Aikea-Guinea
1. Aikea-Guinea
2. Kookaburra
3. Quisquose
4. Rococo
Disc 7: Dials
1. Dials
2. Crushed
3. The High Monkey-Monk
4. Oomingmak
Disc 8: The Spangle Maker
1. The Spangle Maker
2. Pearly-Dewdrops\' Drops (12 Inch Version)
3. Pepper-Tree
4. Pearly-Dewdrops\' Drops (7 Inch Version)
Disc 9: Love\'s Easy Tears
1. Love\'s Easy Tears
2. Those Eyes, That Mouth
3. Sigh\'s Smell Of Farewell
4. Orange Appled
Disc 10: Iceblink Luck
1. Iceblink Luck
2. Mizake The Mizan
3. Watchiar