Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Emotions turned into music, August 28, 1999
By A Customer
Used to be pop music had lyrics that anyone could sing or hum, and the simplicity of rock & roll was its direct appeal to adolescent emotions. Strange, then, that upon hearing "Blue Bell Knoll" for the first time, I felt pure emotions from such shimmering music, and cared not one bit what lyrics were being sung. Like an opera sung by a virtuoso, Cocteau Twins are best enjoyed for their sound and its ability to touch the heart as well as mind. While so much of their music was passed over on "alternative radio" playlists, they deserve a place as a one-of-a-kind outfit, and BBK is one reason why. Elizabeth Fraser's arabesque vocals showcase whatever mood she's in, and the listener instantly feels it, without benefit of a lyric sheet. My favorite cut is "Carolyn's Fingers", and it has a familiar Twins structure of rambling rhythm guitar, soaring vocals and pealing synthesizers. After savoring this album, I began collecting their other works. I notice a definite progression from harder-edged music "(Pink Opaque") to softer, more tailored efforts ("Heaven or Las Vegas") and it's natural, I suppose, that a group's music gets blended, like old scotch. But "Blue Bell Knoll" crystallizes for me what is best about Cocteau Twins: their other-worldly sound that always makes emotions soar, and never fails to elicit the question from my friends, "what kind of music is that?"
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
nothing closer to heavenly..., July 22, 2001
This is a really beautiful album! It brings back a LOT of memories of being a complicated and introverted teenager, and needing music that paralleled those trappings. For me I identified with the longing and theatrical musings of Elizabeth Fraser's voice, which is definately one of the most recognizable in music. The music is equally lush and multi-faceted, with their usual fazey guitars, drum machines and introspective melodies. But I think this is definately some of the best music they made in their long career, second only their first LP Garlands, which is darker and more post-punk sounding. The song "the Itchy Glowbo Blow" is totally rivetting (and somewhat unsettling in it's beauty). It's definately my favourite song they ever wrote. The droning guitars and Fraser's overlapping vocals are just stunning. And I remember "Carolyn's Fingers" as being quite the little club hit at teen nite at the Shelter in Detroit. It's definately the most upbeat track on Blue Bell Knoll, an album full of meloncholy and tenderness. It never really mattered to me that her lyrics are completely unrecognizable as anything resembling English. I think that was part of the experience, that i could feel comforted and elated by music that was sort of other-worldy in a way. Also check out "For Phoebe Still A Baby" and "A Kissed Out Red Floatboat." Im sorry to hear this album is only available on import, seeing as it was originally on Capitol. Either way you get it, it is a totally beautiful and cozy stroll through the mysticism that is the Cocteau Twins.
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
the album that changed my life forever !, May 14, 2001
This album made a storm in my soul! i couldnt understand a word but the music and the singing took me to another world of exotic islands and tropic visions .when i first heard the album i was 15, and it felt like heaven. I couldnt open my eyes when i heard it, I was in total extazy. its a "must have!" and so is "Victorialand" i love those 2 albums and i'll treasure them forever.
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