Customer Reviews

Singles Collection

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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.

The late, great Cocteau Twins' original vinyl releases were a joy and a wonder to those of us who anticipated and marvelled at them in the 80's. It's unfortunate that much of their best material ever was released on 12" singles, never to be re-released on CD compilations or as "bonus tracks"...until this collection appeared. Its availability is waning as time goes on, and the vinyl, for those who can still play it, is either disappearing from the used shops, or increasingly overpriced. So much extraordinary music which far transcends typical "pop/rock" formats is contained in this boxed set, a true treasure chest. Unforgettable songs like "Sigh's Smell of Farewell" and "Quisquose" just aren't available elsewhere, and might never be now that the band's future releases are an uncertain thing. Those who only know and love the Cocteaus from their album recordings, and missed out on all the remarkable singles from the 80s would be well-advised to invest in this important collection, which will surely age well. Music of this quality, beauty, and artistry is timeless.

...be aware that it's often posible to buy the 10CD/w case at Ebay auctions at prices between 50-100 $. Good luck !

I was first introduced to Cocteau Twins through this set. To this day, it remains my favorite collection of CT songs, which I enjoy even more than the regular LPs. It is a beautiful overview of the band's many styles and takes you from their harder earlier sound to their later lush compostions. The actual box itself is a lovely collecters item that will blend in nicely with your music collection. A charming, simple set that leaves you breathless and yearning for more. (And I did yearn for more...eventually I collected their entire catalogue.)

This collection spans through most of the Cocteau Twins' career, and is a wonderful overview of the many different styles and sounds they adapted. Some of it is stronger than others; nearly all of it is admirable and beautiful.

There are some items here which are not to be missed by any CT fan, namely the entire CD's of Aikea Guinea, The Spangle Maker, and Love's Easy Tears, as well as the rare singles Pink Orange Red, Mizake the Mizan, and Crushed, just to name a few.

If you already have a taste for the Twins, you will not be disappointed by this essential collection.

The Cocteau Twins released some of the most exquisite and beautiful music ever, and some of their finest moments had been on EPs previously available only in England or at import prices. The Cocteau Twins Box Set, released in 1991 by Capitol Records, allowed Americans to enjoy domestic releases of the ten EPs the band had released up to the time.

The Cocteau Twins EPs are must-have records, and I cannot recommend them enough. However, the Box Set is not the way to get them. Although the outside of the box is attractive, the CDs themselves are cheaply printed; I found with some dismay indelible fingerprints from the factory on two discs. Even worse, the CD's come in standard jewel cases instead of the import's single cases. The CD inserts are printed on only one side, while the other side is left totally blank. This detracts from the artwork, done by Vaughan Oliver (called the greatest British designer of the last 20 years) and his collaborator, the photographer Nigel Grierson.

It may take longer and cost (just a) little more, but I would recommend that one pick up the imports, so that the original beauty of the Cocteau Twins EPs can be enjoyed.

i spent years looking for this set. i still remember when it was first released...i tried to find it then, but lost the chance due to the SMART cocteau fans getting there before me!

every disc in this set is magical...liz's voice, angelic with hidden strength and power. the ehteral guitar work... i'm rambling....

the music is unlike any other...the words produce emotion unlike any you've felt before...the mood will send you flying toward a place you've never been before.

cocteau twins. 10 cd set. 1 chance. take it...now

peace

After spending a long time trying to find it, I found it at an independent music store here in Houston. There is a considerable amount of material here, most of it very hard to collect, unless perhaps you live in the U.K.

My favorite CT song, "From the Flagstones", is here.

If you live in Houston, Soundwaves on Westheimer near Alabama usually carries it.

This CD box set I have owned for years, it is a excellent example of their music spectrum from over 15 years ago to the early 90's. If anyone really wants to experience Cocteau Twins, I suggest this box set!

This box set is a critical piece of any Cocteau Twins fan's collection and encompasses almost all of their early EP releases, which are now almost impossible to find anywhere in any format. Many of these tunes were college radio standards in their day. Also includes some unreleased material which can't be had elsewhere. If you like the Cocteaus in particular, or simply have fond memories of the wonderful ambient, guitar-based new-wave music of the 1980s, BUY this set!

Fans of Bauhaus, My Bloody Valentine, Legendary Pink Dots, Joy Division, The Wonder Stuff, Buzzcocks, The Cure, etc... will definitely enjoy this.

Hard to find these days, you'll probably have to buy this limited-edition release used. Decent used copies can be had for little more than the $65 price of the new set when it was in print. Don't pay $300 for a still-wrapped, mint-condition set. Just find one with all the disks in decent condition. You're going to end up ripping and burning them onto two long 19-song CDs anyway - each disk only has 4 songs on it (preserving the 12'' EP format of the originals), so you'll get sick of changing them pretty fast.

I wish the Cocteau Twins would consider re-issuing this, perhaps as a two-disk set for less money.