Disco de Cocteau Twins: “Victorialand [Remaster]”

A beautiful, chiefly acoustic release by the Cocteau Twins. The songs evoke the feeling of darkness, winter, and solitude. Elizabeth Fraser's vocal range on this album is amazing, especially on "Ooomingmak" and "The Thinner the Air." This album was considered to be one of the most influencial albums in the ambient movement, circa 1986.

The Cocteau Twins were one of those bands that I had heard of but never really took the time to check out their music. The first time I heard them was on a CMJ compilation cd ten years ago. It was not until last year when I bought the remastered version of "Treasure" and "Stars and Topsoil" did I find myself under the spell of The Cocteau Twins. I recently picked up "Victorialand" this week. Like "Treasure", "Victorialand" is candy for the ears. The cd is only 32 minutes long which is the only flaw I found with the album. The album begins with the dreamy soundscape of "Lazy Calm", probably my very favorite track on the album. From there the music just flows smoothly with Elizabeth Fraser's fragile vocals. Another personal favorite is "Little Spacey". I just love Robin Guthrie's guitar playing on this particular song. His intricate guitar playing complements Elizabeth's unique vocals. I found myself entranced with the ethereal melodies. "Victorialand" is a great album to to pick for people who just started getting into the Cocteau Twins' music such as myself. The production is absolutely pristine and the music is enchanting.

the cocteau twins...their sound can transport you to places in your mind you never knew existed. the music on this cd is probably some of the best from this group of etheral soundscapes and design. from the "eerie lazy calm" opening of the album....all the way through to the unbelievable "the thinner the air"...this album does not stop delivering. i am a huge cocteau fan, and this recording is easily on my top three list of their catalogue. all of their music is fantastic, yet this cd just has a certain magic that can not be denied. liz's voice is angelic....it soars along taking you with it in smooth fluid movements....the layers of guitar, your guide on this magical flight to Victorialand...a place of wonderment. again, you are faced with (like in most cocteau releases) not understanding alot of what liz is actually saying lyrically, but that's just it...you don't need to...you can feel what she's saying. when i'm walking up to the gates of heaven awaiting my judgement, this is what they'll be playing just inside the gates. that's how beautiful this music is. it is unlike anything i have ever heard, yet you immediately know it's the twins. similar to blue bell knoll...no drums though...no bass...just robin on guitars, and liz's angelic voice. picture walking through a snow covered tundra.....the sun reflected off the ice patches....a castle in the distance...then you hear a voice...soaring...sweeping... magical stuff.... i thank the musical gods for the cocteau twins every time i listen to them...and that's usually every day.

The record is a masterpiece from the beginning to the end. This album is tied with "Head Over Heals" as my favorite record of the Cocteau Twins. And like "Head Over Heals", Robin Guthrie and Elizabeth Fraser do this one without Simon Raymonde. After a hard day, please put this record on, and all problems will just disappear. I think it is a tragedy that for the most part this album will never be heard by the mass majority of the people, and they are saddly never going to hear one of the most prettiest, peaceful, delicate, blissful albums ever made. And if we could hear butterflies sing they would sound like Elizabeth on this album. She always has amazed me, and here she astounds once again. Let me review my five favorites on "Victorialand".

1)"Throughout The Dark Months Of April and May". The wicked and at the same time delicate guitar playing and singing on this song is simply gorgeous. When you think the song will be going one way, they do a U-Turn. 2)"Lazy Calm". If you don't cry on this one, you have turned to stone. There is a stillness in this song any group would kill to be able to achieve, but these guys do it effortlessly. 3)"Feet-Like Fins" Pure brilliance. Here again another U-Turn song. 4)"The Thinner The Air". On this one close your eyes and experience pure ecstacy. 5)"How To Bring A Blush To The Snow". Another Cocteau Twins masterpiece. And the song title says it all about how you will feel after hearing it. Listen to this album, and be prepared to be a Cocteau Twins fan for life. I rate this group priceless and this album 5 stars.

I purchased the Remaster Victorialand a few months ago. I'll other people praise this album, I'll agree with any review. I writting this if you are a Cocteau Twins fan. If you have a early release of Victorialand and love it as I do. YOU HAVE TO BUY THIS ALBUM REMASTERED!!!! As an audiophile I compared this CD with earlier releases. This release is like High Def audio the recording is much cleaner and articulate. This album is the most played in my music collection but I haven't listen to it in awhile. But after listening to this release I am about to catch a second wind here. It is very enjoyable even a compressed media format, which sounds better than the earlier CD releases of Victorialand. I now on a mission to buy all Cocteau Twins remastered releases. Joy, pure joy. This release is as good as the Vinyl release. Buy it you won't be disapointed.