Blue Bell Knoll [Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered]

Cocteau Twins | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 3, 2003)
• Original Release Date: 1988
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
• Label: 4ad / Ada
• ASIN: B00009ATJD
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #51,637 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #64 in Music > Alternative Rock > Indie & Lo-Fi > Ambient Pop
  • #80 in Music > Alternative Rock > British Alternative > General

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars critically dismissed, fan acclaimed, September 2, 2006

By 

cherubino (Houston, Texas United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Blue Bell Knoll (Audio CD)

Music critics have not been kind to this album. I have read this album described as a failure of sorts. It seems the "experts" felt that the Twins were resting on their laurels, after cranking out some of the most introspective and melodic music of the early-to-mid eighties. With song titles like The Itchy Glowblo Blow, Spooning Good Singing Gum, and A Kissed-Out Red Floatboat, perhaps they were also taking themselves a little too seriously. Accusations abound about Blue Bell Knoll being the zenith of prettiness for prettiness' sake, forsaking in the process any depth or gravitas. Yet, many fans describe this as either their favorite CT album, or among their favorites. Who is to be believed?

I have a theory about why Blue Bell Knoll isn't critically praised. The reason has to do with the timing of its release. It succeeded two very important albums, the seminal Treasure, and the highly conceptual Victorialand. Conversely, it was followed by Heaven or Las Vegas, which broke with the past and established the Cocteau Twins' mature sound. Sandwiched between those albums, Blue Bell Knoll doesn't seem to break any ground, thus inviting dismissal, which is a mistake.

If you think about it, Blue Bell Knoll was the end of an era in musicmaking. After their early "post-punk" efforts (the Garlands album and the Lullabies / Peppermint Pig EP's), the Twins found their signature sound. After Blue Bell Knoll, however, they hit middle age soundwise, and were forced (perhaps) to stay relevant in the wake of a changing music scene. Much of the change was achieved by scaling back and lifting a few veils. Then, three albums later, they sounded the death knell, calling it quits.

Blue Bell Knoll is a bit like floating lazily down a river atop an inner tube. The Twins weave a sound tapestry that is uniformly beautiful and ethereal. The only vague bit of melancholy is Spooning Good Singing Gum.

It would have helped if the Cocteau Twins had composed a song of equal strength as Carolyn's Fingers. Just about every other full-lengh album in their canon achieves this effect. Sugar Hiccup is mirrored by My Love Paramour, Ivo by Lorelei, Iceblink Luck by Heaven or Las Vegas, Bluebeard by Evangeline, etc. Don't get me wrong- there is NO filler in Blue Bell Knoll, but Carolyn's Fingers does stand apart from the rest.

For fans of Heaven or Las Vegas, a precursor can be found in A Kissed-Out Red Floatboat, a shimmering, exquisite blend of Elisabeth Fraser's soulful lower range, and angelic upper range, spread across a percolating backdrop.

My personal favorite, aside from the obvious choice of Carolyn's Fingers, is Suckling the Mender. That high note Elisabeth sings midway through is jaw-dropping, a mighty feat for one who isn't classically trained.

Really, the whole album gives you great pleasure. The opening title track begins with an electronic equivalent of a spider spinning a web.

Contrary to folk wisdom, the Cocteau Twins' Blue Bell Knoll album proves that God is in the details.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I own thousands of records, this is my number 1!, June 9, 2006

By 

M. Ward (San Francisco, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Blue Bell Knoll (Audio CD)

Cocteau Twins have been my favourite band since a couple of years after they started out. I've bought everything, searched out collaberations, solos, etc. Bands typically come in and out of your favour, or you still like them but just don't play them any more. Cocteau Twins are one of the exceptions - I just don't get tired of listening to them. I've played Blue Bell Knoll on a regular basis, ever since it came out. There's so many layers in the mix and the songs are gorgeous. This record contains their most breathtaking work, in my opinion. I can't recommend it highly enough.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Musical Bliss, April 7, 2008

By 

Kendra - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blue Bell Knoll (Audio CD)

The Cocteau Twins created what is known as "Dream Pop"-- a very apt term. It's lush, rich, and layered with guitars and vocals on top of more guitars and vocals. When this specific cd came out in 1988, many Cocteau Twins' critics derided it. Their previous albums had a lush, gorgeous side, but had a darker side, as well. Critics had claimed that they had forgone their darker side to become more 'commercial' as Blue Bell Knoll was their first cd of entirely lush, ambient melodies-- truly dreamy pop music with no darker side at all. And, although many critics disliked it, all the fans immediately fell in love with it.

This cd is astounding to listen to. From the moment you press play to the moment it's over, you can get completely swept away in this sound. There is really nothing else like it. Musical bliss is how I'd describe it. It's atmospheric. It's rich. It's melodic. It's all-encompassing. If you haven't heard The Cocteau Twins before, then describing them adequately is a very difficult feat-- since there's no other band like them.

I remember back in the late 80s, I listened to this album less often than I'd listen to Victorialand and Treasure. I also listened to some of the band members' work that they had done separately. This Mortal Coil was a favorite of mine and included vocalist Elizabeth Fraser (whose cover of Tim Buckley's Song to the Siren was quite almost as gut-wrenching as the original). However, over the years, this specific album is perfect while I find their other albums just don't appeal to me quite as much as they used to.

Blue Bell Knoll is perfectly sublime.