Customer Reviews

Gothic Tribute to the Cocteau Twins

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Cocteau Twins fans will be pleasantly surprised by this loving tribute. Most tracks are faithful to the originals, effortlessly appropriating the Twins' distinctive style--right down to Elizabeth Fraser's otherworldly chanting (though Jennifer Hope actually deciphered the lyrics to "Seekers Who Are Lovers" and enunciates all of them). Faith and Disease's "Amelia" is difficult to tell from the original, while The Autumns' "Garlands" is sung by a guy (the only male voice on the album). Non-Cocteau fans probably won't get much out of this album (and they should head straight for the original albums immediately), but the converted will find a lot to savor here.

Y'know, I never really considered the Cocteau Twins' music to be gothic, except for maybe their first album (but even that's stretching the definition). So I was a little confused as to why the songs were getting the goth treatment, especially ones from their later, more ethereal period. But I'm a curious fox, and I was interested to hear others' interpretations...so I bought the CD.

I came away with mostly good impressions, but there were a few caveats in the package. It would be hypocritical of me to expect a consistent style throughout the album, as there are 15 different artists performing the songs, but there is definitely a variance as to how well-produced the songs are. Some of the artists (Rhea's Obsession, Trance to the Sun, Absinthee) really go all out in transforming the original tunes into darker, menacing constructs (personally, I loved the strings in "Shallow Then Halo" - good touch). On the other hand, some artists have good ideas for the songs, but don't seem to execute them well - "Iceblink Luck" is particularly disappointing in that regard, with underwhelming vocals and bad drumming, and "Wax and Wane" suffers from vocal deficiency as well. I'm not saying all these singers should sound like Elizabeth Fraser herself - that's a tall order for anyone to fill - but there's room for improvement. Finally, some songs don't deviate much from the original sound, but update it nicely; "Amelia" and "In Our Angelhood" are examples of these.

It's a mixed bag, sure. Overall, though, I enjoyed this CD; hearing new versions of songs that, in some cases, are over 15 years old is always interesting. In short, fans of the Cocteau Twins who know the original songs will probably find something here that they like. If you've never heard the Cocteaus' music before, though, I recommend buying one of their albums first - after all, no one does these songs better than the Twins themselves!

I think a few of the previous reviewers wanted the Twins and weren't aware of the "gothic tribute" part of the album title. If you don't like goth, don't buy it because you won't like it. If you do like goth, I think you'll like this. Darkening the brilliant shoegazing work of Robin Guthrie (continued so well in Violet Indiana) was an excellent idea.

Calling these bands "amateur bands" shows a complete ignorance of the gothic genre. Most of them have very impressive resume's.

After reading the wildly varying reviews, I'm confused why so many negatives. "Dark Treasures..." adds depth and texture so wonderfully, I still can't believe it after all these years of listening to it. Sure, there's some production laxity, but that fits too. For me the treatments of "The Thinner the Air," "Need Fire," and "Treasure Hiding" are sublime, and the rest are amazing as well. Maybe we still can't define goth. Maybe no one can explain why the fascination with things dark. I'm a writer and when I do explain goth and dark--shucks! I'll be famous!!!

I am impressed by several of the tracks on this release. Oneroid Psychosis (w/ Kristy Venrick)'s version of "Treasure Hiding" is transcendant, and Jennifer Hope's "Seekers Who Are Lovers" is lovely. Some, like Mephisto Walz's rendtion of "Iceblink Luck" sound remarkably similar to the original - a real tribute as opposed to a re-imaging. Godbox's "Blood Bitch" is surely the best track on the release - A fantastic techno/darkwave groovefest.

Other tracks disappoint - Andrea Lane's minimalist "Violaine" is a drunken, mushmouthed affair, which happily picks up (but only slightly) in the abyssal/ethereal chorus. "Athol-Brose," one of my favorite tracks from "Blue Bell Knoll" receives the generic Goth treatment here. Ooooooh - it's "creepy" (yawn).

All in all, I have to say this one will remain in my collection, if only because I have to respect artists who obviously care enough about the music of such a unique band to spend the time and effort to offer their homage.

A valiant effort, and worth a listen.

I'm still looking for the treasures on this horrific release? I have yet to hear a respectable cover of a Cocteau Twins song. In my opinion the only decent track on this release is by The Autumns. This truly is a collection of amateur bands trying way to hard to cover a legendary band!

im sure this compilation was done with the best intentions but as a die hard cocteau twins fan
who regards their music as nothing less than Divine. it would be very hard for anyone to attempt to do their music justice do yourself a favor listen to the real thing,i recommend albums treasure Treasure, the pink opaque, the moon and the melodies, and garlands you will be eternally seduced by their music as I have for over 25 yrs

First I must say that as with all music collections, not all are hits. This is also true with a various artists situation. Haven't you ever bought a CD and only one or a few songs are good, the rest suck or take time to grow on you? Or in good situations the reverse? IMHO, this CD is the the later, most are very good and with a few, "Meh". I agree with some of you "snobs" that some attempts are a bit off. Others are very damn good, even as simply a goth tune if you've never listened to or not into Cocteau Twins. Really digest the title of this CD...DARK Treasures, now stay with me...A GOTHIC Tribute...get it? If you don't like Goth music, stick with the original Twins. If you are a Goth music fan, you will like this CD regardless probably. If someone creates a perfect copy of a Cocteau Twins song, why not just listen to the original, hmmm? These artists are fans and spin their flavor into the tunes. It IS flattering to the Cocteau Twins to have a tribute. It could have been techno or rap artists, but I think Goth was a good choice given that the Twins are a bit dark in a beautiful way, much like vampires or Suicide Girls. As for the bands, some you may like for their own material. Others you won't, even if you like their tribute song. Monster Magnet did a Depeche Mode cover that I really enjoyed. I got one of their CD's and didn't like it at all. GusGus did a cover on the same Tribute CD and I've been into them ever since. You can't go wrong with this CD. If you don't like goth music, please stay away. Isn't it common sense?

Another one of Cleopatra's hit-and-miss tributes. In their defense, the source material is difficult. "Dark Treasures" magnifies what is beautiful AND what is frustrating about Cocteau Twins songs. Most of the bands keep the echoey, langorous feel of the original versions.

BACKGROUND: Cocteau Twins (Elizabeth Fraser, Robin Guthrie and Simon Raymonde) songs are reverb-laden and lyrically confusing. Poppy Z. Brite nailed it in her book "Exquisite Corpse," calling it a "seasick wall of sound." There are moments so beautiful that you might cry, but even then you're puzzling out the language used - English or Gaelic or some random babbling? If you hear one of their songs while just waking or just falling asleep, it might make perfect sense and be the most beautiful thing you ever heard. I'm gonna try that.

Rhea's Obsession kicks it off well with a synth-&-sitar cover of "Cicely." Jennifer Hope gives the clearest lyrical translation on "Seekers Who Are Lovers." Trance to The Sun best captures the drifting, glacial feel of Cocteau Twins music on "The Thinner The Air." (This one would make a good cool-down track at a goth dance party.) Absinthee's "Shallow Then Halo" has good keyboards and a slinky beat. Faith and Disease's "Amelia" is indistinguishable from the original. The Autumns offer the only male singer, for "Garlands." Sort of like the guy hanging out at a baby shower. Diva Destruction's
"Persephone" uses the guitar and drum tracks from the original version.

I recommend Godbox's cover of "Blood Bitch." Good techno-industrial beat with loud guitars and strong dancefloor appeal.

If you're into Cocteau Twins, go ahead and get "Dark Treasures." As a tribute, it's a split decision: some of it makes you want to hear more Cocteau Twins, some of it makes you want to find the cover band's own material. Definitely listen to the samples on this site first.

Though I have a deep and abiding love for the music of the Cocteau Twins, this thudding, gothic tribute takes away the subtle, careful loveliness of the songs. Hearing other versions of their songs ~ especially these overly-mixed, unoriginal, lackluster versions ~ just affirms to me that not only are the Twins excellent musicians, but that perhaps sometimes imitators need not bother. If this is a summary of gothic music, then the Cocteau Twins transcend the gothic genre; what this compilation does is pull the music back down and make it tawdry.