Customer Reviews

The Pink Opaque

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

An early compilation of material culled from three albums and three EPs released between 1983 - 1985, showcases the early, musical brilliance of two young kids from Scotland (Robin Guthrie, Elizabeth Fraser) and a lad from England (Simon Raymonde). Collectively known as Cocteau Twins, the Twins became more well-known in the late eighties, early nineties, but their musical genius was laid during this time. This compilation showcases that brilliance. Whereas the Twins began to experiment with sequencers and more elaborate production in the mid-to-late eighties, the power of these songs is in the raw, emotional energy and sparse production. This was the period the Cocteau Twins laid the foundation for a sound that later became imitated and enormously influencial among musical artists.
Standout tracks include, "From the Flagstones" (originally recorded for the "Sunburst and Snowblind" EP) which has a simple guitar, piano foundation, yet is such an elegant and romantic piece, "Aikea-Guinea (remixed from the the same titled EP from 1985 with slightly louder guitars) showcases how the Twins were able to evoke incredible feeling and emotion, and "Hitherto" which showcases the early guitar brilliance of Robin Guthrie.

The Pink Opaque is not an album. It is, granted, a collection of songs put onto a single CD, packaged and sold for public consumption. But if you think that puts into the same category as Clay Aiken or Fantasia's latest bilge-droppings, or even ordinary by comparison fare like Pet Sounds or Sgt Pepper, you are sadly and bitterly mistaken. The Pink Opaque is not like anything else on amazon.com- it is a magical talisman.

There is a school of parapsychology that posts that what would classify as paranormal, magical or spiritual phenomena are actually events that have reached our plane of existence from parallel dimensions. These planes are like our own in some ways, but profoundly different in others. Hence this theory would have it that ghosts are actually images of departed spirits from the other dimensions trapped in our plane or between planes by a traumatic death. UFOs are dimension-hopping visitors who have learned to pierce the veil between the worlds and come here to put things in our orifices to get their kicks. Trans-dimensional migration is the only way I can explain Elizabeth Fraser. She's not of this earth.

Pink Opaque is not like the cozy, Starbucks-friendly lullabies of late period Cocteaux. This album has sharp points and rough edges. And every single note of every single song on this album will jar your consciousness loose from it's earthly moorings. Every single utterance from Liz's beautiful lips is an invocation to the elder spirits of the otherworld. Even if you have all of these songs from other sources, you need to buy this CD. Magic is about doing things properly, so don't put the tracks on your IPod. Or that is, don't if you expect to pierce the veil of Eternity.

Taken on a mere earthly musical level, these songs are ecstatic mantras. The Spangle Maker begins the unearthly proceedings, as the droning bassline provides the backdrop for the high priestess to darkly proclaim who is the "spangle baby." The final 60 seconds of this sound is an ecstatic eruption of shamanic howls, nearly orgasmic in its purity. You will worship this song for the rest of your life. Millimenary allows you to catch your breath, but summons up visions of children's nightmares from the Victorian Age. Wax and Wane will fill you with dread as the priestess turns her scorpion gaze on her foes and "laughs in their faces.". Hitherto and Pearly Dewdrops Drop are cut from the same cloth- Yuletide carols from our Paganized, interdimensional future. From the Flagstones, Aikea Guinea, Lorelei are breathlessly erotic paeans to the lovers who haunt our favorite dreams. PepperTree is a woozy reverie, similar to the song-forms of Absinthe lovers. As it fades, a clock ticks quietly until Musette and Drums crashes in, flying shards of barb wire guitar flying through the air. At the song ends, you will play it over and over again. I've been listening to this album and it still sounds as fresh and magical as the day I first dropped the needle on it, 20 years ago. I would say it's the greatest album ever released, but it's not an album. It's an express train to Ecstasy.

This compilation has apparently been deleted and replaced by "Stars and Topsoil", which is unfortunate as the latter album seems to over-emphasise the "more accessible" ambient-tinged side of the band. "The Pink Opaque", though short (even for the LP era), better reflects the diversity of the Cocteau Twins' music.

Tracks like "The Spanglemaker", "Wax and Wane", "Hitherto", "Lorelei" and "Musette and Drums" proved influential on the goth movement, whilst other tracks, especially "Aikea-Guinea", could be said to anticipate shoegazing/dreampop. And then there's the genuine rarity - "Millemillenary" - otherwise only available on the increasingly rare CD Singles Box Set (and a lovely song, too!)

While it's a slight exaggeration to say that "Stars and Topsoil" may leave newcomers wondering what all the fuss was about, the fact is "The Pink Opaque" best explains why they generated so much excitement and acclaim in the first half of the '80s.

(Please Note: I am in fact ghengisadonis, aged twenty-something, using the Kids Review form due to a technical mishap that has deleted the regular form).

This is the first album I heard from Cocteau Twins, back around 1987. The first two tracks had me captivated. The towering vocals, the beautiful guitars, the melodies from Heaven. Because of this album, I became a lifetime fan, and few of their releases compare to the power of this CD. It is too bad it is still expensive, but if you have already heard the band and are wondering about this release, IT IS WORTH THE PRICE BY FAR. Even though this is a collection, there are many tracks on here unavailable on any album, and would very spendy to collect all the CD Singles they came from. I give very few albums a 5 star rating. Other standout tracks: Lorelei - a driving anthem, From the Flagstones - quiet psychedelica (a la Siouxie).

This is both a fairly decent introduction to an early phase of the Cocteau Twins' fifteen years long career, *and* a must have for completists: Millimillenary - allegedly their first song recorded festuring Simon Raymonde on bass - and the Wax and Wane remix are unique to this release.

This is certainly not a complete overview of their work up to that time, and I would personally recommend to get "Head over Heels" or "Treasure" first.

I am sorry to disagree with somebody who shares a great part of my musical tastes - and who granted this compilation four stars as well - but I have to say that "Musette and Drums" is one of my favourite tracks from "Head over Heels", if not my favourite Cocteau track ever. Oh, well, different strokes for different people.

This early Cocteau Twins album is my favorite. Its relaxing and reminds me of memories of dreaming at night.

This collection has been a favorite of mine since I was 15, and seventeen years later, it is still fresh and magical for me. "Spanglemaker" is unreal (in a good way), and to try to sing along with it is challenging and comical. "Milli..." is also an incredible track; it brings me to another space and time. I can say, that except for "Musette and Drums", the entire album is excellent and worth a listen, especially for someone who has never heard Liz's voice, and her way with lyrics.

A bunch of early 80's Cocteau Twins works compiled on this album. I have a copy on cassette, that amazingly, still works, which is how I have this album. I think all of the songs are great, in particular The Spangle Maker (one of the best CT songs ever), Aikea-Guinea, Pepper Tree, and Musette and Drums. This also includes the rare Millimillenary, which is a pretty cool listen, and a mix of Wax and Wane. This is a cool album to have for the Cocteau Twins fan.

This was my introduction to Cocteau Twins. I had this LP back in high school and LOVED it. Listening to it now takes me back to a simpler, more innocent, time. Liz Fraser's voice has this beautiful, etherial, quality. If you've never listened to the Cocteau Twins this is the best way to become aquainted with them.

It was for me back in the 80's when this was the dreamiest neverland in existence. This was one of the first groups I've heard that strove to create a palpable atmosphere in their music.
Never had I heard alternative rock with such shimmering beauty. Elizabeth Fraser has an operatic voice which she uses like no other.