Stars and Topsoil: A Collection 1982-1990 [ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED]

Cocteau Twins

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 3, 2003)
• Original Release Date: 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: 4ad / Ada
• ASIN: B00004Y2FT
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #54,745 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description
'Stars And Topsoil, A Collection (1982-1990)' is the first 'best of' retrospective to span the entire period Scotland's ethereal alternative trio recorded for 4AD. 18 track overview of their first eight years together. Featured are tracks from their acclaimed albums as well as choice tunes from select singles. A perfect introduction to what is generally considered their best era. All tracks have been remastered as well. 2000 release. Standard jewel case.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Collection of beautiful songs, but not the best intro to CTs, January 18, 2001

By	Christopher Culver - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

I've been a rabid Cocteau Twins fan for many years and have all of their albums and EPs. When I heard about STARS AND TOPSOIL, this compilation put together by 4AD to summarize their superb eight years on that label, I immediately added it to my collection. Thinking about the release, though, I think that getting STARS AND TOPSOIL would probably not be the best introduction to this wonderful band for someone who had never heard them before. There are simply too many styles put together on this album and, although it does show the progression in the band's sound during the 4AD years, it is confusingly uneven for the newbie. I would simply recommend picking up HEAVEN OR LAS VEGAS or TREASURE to learn about the band. Leave STARS AND TOPSOIL alone until you've become familiar with the band and already have most of their albums.

But this caveat is only for people unfamiliar with the Twins. If you enjoy the gorgeous music of the Cocteau Twins, STARS AND TOPSOIL features 8 years of some of their best songs on a single disc. It's worth picking up.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Pink Orange Red" worth the price alone, August 14, 2005

By	Rich Latta (Albuquerque, NM - Land of Entitlement) - See all my reviews

I'll be brief - The Cocteau Twins have made some of the most heavenly, lush, etheral, otherworldly music I've ever heard. The atmospheres they create are so palpable you can almost step into them. For years, my personal favorite CT song was "Pink Orange Red," originally on the TINY DYNAMINE ep. Alas, I became permanently seperated from my old vinyl collection from the 80s (long story) and couldn't get this song for ages. So when STARS AND TOPSOIL came out and I saw "Pink Orange Red" on it, I snatched it up in a heartbeat.

I would agree that this is not a "best-of" collection, but nearly every song here is fantastic. Actually, it does include my least favorite CT song "Sugar Hiccup," but I'm the only one that seems to be mildly annoyed with this track so no matter. Undenyably, STARS does include some of CT's best music, like "Aikea-Guinea."

This is a fine place to start for newbes although just about anywhere will work since most of their music is wonderful. My first CT was THE PINK OPAQUE which actually is somewhat of a "best of" collection. Maybe the best album to pick up first would be TREASURE or their debut GARLANDS which is a bit heavier, darker and gothic compared to some of their later works which focus more on beauty. Some of the last few albums they released like HEAVEN OR LAS VEGAS are a bit more slick and digestable, but still great.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An enchanting album, November 30, 2004

By	Erica Anderson (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

I am not really familiar with The Cocteau Twins music except for their enchanting album "Treasure" and now "Stars and Topsoil: a Collection (1982-1990)". I bought "Treasure" last year on a whim. I had always wanted to check out their music. I had heard a song or two by the Scottish trio over the years but I couldn't remember them. I liked what I heard and thought they were worth looking into. I immediately fell under Elizabeth Frasier's haunting vocals. She has one of the most incredible voices in pop music. No one really sings like her. Her voice can be fragile yet powerful at the same time. Robin Guthrie's shimmering guitar riffs complements Elizabeth's delicate vocals. Listening to The Cocteau Twins' music is such a joy to listen to. I especially love the addictive "Sugar Hiccup" which is simply irresistably infectious and the swirling sounds of "Pearly-Dewdrops' Drops". I am also a big fan of "Lorelei" and "Pandora" too. I thought "Stars and Topsoil" is a great introduction to newer listeners like myself and gives me a broad idea of the band's music. I loved all the songs. As I listened to the cd, I could hear their influence on bands like Black Tape For a Blue Girl and Lycia iwth their haunting, ethereal pop melodies. I defintely plan on picking up the band's other remastered albums in the near future