Disco de Cocteau Twins: “Stars & Topsoil: A Collection (1982-1990)”

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.

The album title aside, this is a must-have for any Cocteau fan, and a primer on one of the '80s most original and influential "gloom and doom" bands for those who are not yet fans. A comprehensive collection spanning the height of the Cocteaus career, Stars and Topsoil gathers 18 slices of beauty and serves them up fresh (and chronologically to boot) for your listening pleasure. Hearing the songs chronologically helps the listener to evolve with the Cocteaus, from the bass-heavy goth tune Blind Dumb Deaf (1982's Garlands), through the height of their "swirly-girl" beauty (Lorelei and Pandora from 1984's penultimate Treasure), to the last masterpiece from this one-of-a-kind band (1990's Iceblink Luck and Heaven or Las Vegas). Although this cd doesn't contain any unreleased tracks or alternate versions (like last year's BBC Sessions), it still succeeds in celebrating the Cocteaus, and spares the listener any of the less-than-beautiful new age pap that scarred their final two studio albums Four Calendar Cafe and Milk and Kisses. The Cocteau Twins and 4AD helped to build each other, and this collection represents both at their very finest. The omission of Ivo or From The Flagstones aside, this is perfect listening for those cold stormy nights ahead in the upcoming months....

Forget the strange looks your peers and family give you when you pop in a Cocteau Twins disc. This is the kind of music that is for your gratification only. There's no point of reference for their music. Thats why its impossible to date their music to a time period or associate them to a musical movement. Although they've influenced artists like Sarah McLachlan, the Cranberries, Sixpence None the Richer, Mazzy Star, Lush,The Sundays, et al. Angelic and acrobatic vocalizing by Liz and spacey and original guitar work by Robin Guthrie. For me only Johnny Marr of the Smiths and John Squier of the Stone Roses approaches their guitars in such a melodic and original way. Their music may be electronic but there is no trace of harshness. Instead their music feels organic as if sprouting from the murk of primeval soup. Not even acoustic music feels so connected to earth, space, and beyond like the Cocteau Twins. Why is their sound so unique? Its because they've managed to break free from the bonds of the musical continuum of their predecessors and peers. In the same way punk and reggae did back in the 70's.

As far as I know, this title is only available as an import, going for around 25 bucks. It is worth every cent of your money. Greatest hit collections appeal to me because I don't have the budget to get every release by my favorite bands and in this particular case, I couldn't be happier having shelled out more than average money for this insanely great collection. The track listing is chronological but the Cocteau Twins retain their unique wall of sound throughout, it sounds like all of the songs were created within the same space of time. The liner notes are almost as warm and majestic as the music itself as well. There isn't one bum song on the whole thing, it's just a constant flow of beautiful and alien soundscapes with the most heavenly voice ever recorded floating in and out. I'm so in awe to actually own this, to actually have all of these wonderful songs on one CD, that I'm out of words to explain anything. It is spectacular.

Ask any Cocteau Twin to choose 18 songs for a compilation, and you're likely to get a different response each time. Still, Stars and Topsoil leaves out too many first-rate songs to be considered truly representative collection.

Let's start with track one. Why was Blind Dumb Deaf chosen to represent the Garlands album, and not Wax and Wane? Scanning though the rest of the list, I picked up on some glaring omissions, including From the Flagstones, Crushed, and Oomingmak.

Furthermore, a proper collection would have encompassed the whole of their catalogue, not just up to 1990. Bluebeard, anyone?

Sorry to say it, but I think this compilation, not being a true "best-of", is a waste of money for all but those completely unfamiliar with the Twins' music.