Date: Wed, 10 May 1995 17:22:58 -0400 From: Milan Pejnovich (mxp9@PSU.EDU) Subject: Re: CT and DCD >Pretty much the same with CT, I own Blue Bell Knoll (alright, but it's >not one of my faves). How's Treasure? Any others you can recommend? Treasure starts out ... uhm, musically "dense" I guess you could call it. I haven't really gotten a similar response out of fellow CT fans here (all two of them), but to me, the first four songs have an edge to them -- Liz's voice is harsh at times, she almost wails at others, and the accompanying sounds are very rock-y, at least to me. That said, they are infinitely more accessible than anything off of Garlands (their first), but I really didn't see much of a progression from Head Over Heels (their second and the album prior to Treasure). Also, starting with the fifth song, Pandora, they enter a realm of fairy-tale, fragile, beautiful music. It's almost like two different albums to me. Anyway, neither Treasure nor BBK are my favorites. That honor goes to Victorialand, which is basically (to my ears) a continuation of the fairy-tale landscape they composed at the end of Treasure, but they got rid of the drums and just went crazy with the texture and layers. I worship it. Of course, you probably don't understand anything I've just written and everyone who does probably thinks I'm babbling gibberish. Failing a semester brings out the critic in me, I guess. - Milan Date: Sun, 10 Aug 1997 20:07:39 +0300 From: Strong Comet Subject: Simon Raymonde's Bella Union ! Cocteau's Simon Raymonde solo album - "Blame Someone Else" - is about to be released on his very own new label called Bella Union at the beginning of September. From the press release : "Ranging from dreamy, fragile pop songs to heavier groove-laden tracks, the album asserts Raymonde's individuality, without rejecting the harmonic grace that he brings to the Cocteau Twins. A twelve track collection, there are cameos to be found within. Elizabeth frazer turns in spine-tingling performance on 'Worship Me', which also features Spiritualized's Damon Reece on drums. Charlotte Marionneau, the young French starlet, appears on the duet 'In My Place', and elsewhere there are Miles-inspired trumpet noodlings from Mick Ball, and guitar noises from Robin Guthrie. But the bulk of music - guitar, bass and piano - emanates from Raymonde alone. Simon is the first Cocteau to go solo but he is also busy working on new material with Robin and Liz as the Cocteau Twins, and ( HEAR THIS) producing tracks for the forthcoming NUDE release of BILLY MACKENZIE !!!" Amazing stuff, aye ? Simon Raymonde - Blame Someone Else BELLACD001 distributed in the UK by Vital Distribution, and export by Setanta. Tracklisting: 1. It's a family thing 2. Love Undone 3. The Seventh Day 2. In My Place 5. Supernatural 6. If I Knew Myself... 3. It's Raining Today 8. Muscle & Want 9. Worship Me 4. A Fault Of Mine 11. Days 12. Tired Twilight Visit the Bella Union web site - http://www.bellaunion.com BUT don't expect a warm welcome ! Strong Comet cometail@netvision.net.il http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Studios/6940 Aiming at the stars...not shooting...just waiting... Date: Mon, 11 Aug 1997 13:05:26 -0400 From: Michael Borum Subject: Simon Raymonde/Bella Union/Cocteau trivia Actually -- to be nitpicky -- Bella Union is the new independent record label wholly owned and operated by the Cocteau Twins, not solely Simon. They are based out of the Cocs' September Sound studios. The first single from "Blame Someone Else" will be the first official release from Bella Union, with a few upcoming Cocteau Twins releases to follow (most likely some time in 1998). There's chatter about a CT b-side compilation, as well as a video compilation, but those things are most likely on the back-burner while everyone works on other material (soundtracks, guest appearances, production, new CT stuff, etc.) Liz and Robin do appear on "Blame Someone Else", along with the other guests mentioned (Damon Reece is Liz's boyfriend; not sure where the Charlotte Marionneau connection comes from -- Robin's wife is French, so maybe there's a degree of connection in there somewhere). Even more trivia: The lyrics to the song "Muscle & Want" were actually penned by a fan and frequent visitor to the Cocteau Twins Web site. Simon liked some poetry she had posted and asked permission to use it as lyrics...how's _that_ for a compliment? The lyrics are actually quite good. Word has it that Liz is guest-appearing on an upcoming Massive Attack release -- which should be bloody brilliant. It's true about the "don't expect a warm welcome". Whereas the site is accessible, it isn't finished, so don't be alarmed by the "go away" message. That is all... Mike iceblink@tiac.net