Disco de Cocteau Twins: “Milk & Kisses”

My first exposure to Cocteau Twins was via MTV, of all places, back when they played music instead of commercials masking themselves as music. "Postmodern MTV" hosted by Kevin Seal (whatever happened to him?) played the video for "Carolyn's Fingers" from "Blue Bell Knoll," saying it was brilliant. I had to agree - BBK was in my collection the next day.

I have since been fortunate enough to own all of the Cocteau Twins US releases, and a few of their UK releases for good measure. What a gift to the world their career as an ensemble was!

"Milk and Kisses" is an appropriate coda to a catalogue of ethereal, heartfelt masterpieces. Frasier's vocals lilt above the astral guitarwork like wispy clouds on "Serpentskirt," evoking visions of love, lust and loss.

On other tracks, like "Tishbite," her assured stylings portray an inner strength that is positively inspirational. Each track is a journey itself, while being a chapter in a larger, more universal story. Overall, the sound is epic, angelic and hopeful.

Though we may not see another release from this seminal, completely unique band, "Milk and Kisses" is a practically perfect curtain call. Recommended highly!!!

forget about all of the other trendy so-called "alternative" groups like live,bush, or the offspring, the cocteau twins are the real deal when it comes to TRULY alternative music. after the so-so effort of four calendar cafe, the twins have made their best album since blue bell knoll, with its groovy bass playing courtesy of simon raymonde, the shimmering, cascading, feedback laden guitar work of robin guthrie, just possibly the world's most underrated guitarist, and the sweeping, swooping, dipping,curving, twisting, turning, operatic vocals of elizabeth frazier. i spotted six hit singles on this album, the stunning opening track "violane", "serpentskirt", the awesome "calfskin-smack", the merry-go-round-like "ups", "treasure hiding", and one of the most erotically otherworldly songs out there "seekers who are lovers". this record is aptly titled, because it feels just like your mother wrapping her arms around you, feeding you milk and smothering you with kisses, telling you that its gonna be alright, and it has a way of amplifying any mood you might be in, its perfect music for your honeymoon! i can't wait till their next album!

English is not my native language. I am Brazilian and my mother language is Portuguese. I love music, good British music above all, as I love football, good Brazilian football above all. Cocteau Twins made extremely good music and Milk & Kisses is their last and best album. Whoever loves music will certainly love this album. You do not need to know English to appreciate CT's music because music is not about words but about sound, good sound in harmony with beautiful human voice like Elizabeth Fraser's one just functioning as another musical instrument in every song. Lyrics are for poetry lovers and not for music lovers. Cocteau Twins are the final proof that words in music are meaningless. If you are not familiar with Cocteau Twins' music start with Milk & Kisses and next buy Heaven or Las Vegas and then I am sure you will buy all their albums and singles and eps, provided you are a music lover, of course.

This album may not be as hard as earlier works or have the variation of some albums, but it solidly true to the Cocteau Twins sound. This album or Heaven and Las Vegas would be a good first album for the neophite Twins fan to appreciate their more current sound. After that of course The Pink Opaque, Treasure, and the relatively unknown Moon and the Melodies.

I agree that Half-Gifts is a defining Cocteau Twins song and is worth the price of the album. In my opinion it is one of the most beautiful and moving pieces of music that I have heard.

Takes the best parts of Four Calender Cafe and gives the extra punch of Treasure . . the most complete cd and close to a Swan Song . . nothing out of the ordinary for the band . .rather perfecting what they have done for so long . .with a real drums, too! (As opposed to a drum machine.) Violin and Seekers appeared on the 1995 EP Otherness. And Faye Wong appears on the cd singing in Chinese with Liz backing. The cd is worht it for the track "Seekers Who Are Lovers" alone. Rivals anything the Cure ever did during the Faith era. And so much more positive!