Jul
6
2010
Jul
5
2010
Rocking Retro: Cocteau Twins – Pink Opaque
I have long been a vocal supporter of M83’s Saturdays=Youth, Anthony Gonzalez’s forray away from the typical instrumentals his project had produced. Instead he made a near-flawless dream pop album inspired by his teenage years. Ken Thomas produced the album, a guy who knows a thing or two about the John Hughes-inspired 80’s sheen Gonzalez was going for, having worked with Sugarcubes, Suede, and Cocteau Twins in the past. I adore the album, and so it seems fitting that many have recommended I listen to the last band in that list – the Scottish trio the Cocteau Twins.  A friend suggested I start where most Americans did; he told me to go find a copy of The Pink Opaque.
The group’s record label, UK-based 4AD (a label the group is historically synonymous with) struck a deal stateside with Relativity Records to distribute the emerging band’s back catalog to the US – they were growing in popularity due to increasing airplay on college radio. However, rather than releasing the plethora of EPs the Cocteau Twins had recorded between 1982 and 1985, Relativity made the decision to instead release a compilation of highlights for newcomers to get a taste of what the Twins were all about.
The Pink Opaque is a compilation released in January 1986 featuring ten previously recorded tracks. Also put out in the UK, it was 4AD’s first CD release ever. The album has long been out of print, but I managed to find it on iTunes. While I can hear the similarities in the comp from M83’s 2008 effort, the Twins certainly hold to their own sound – it makes sense this group was so influential for the dream pop movement. At times the group has new-wave tendencies, at times they have the bass thump of the Cure, at times they are scary, at times they are beautiful, but they always manage to stick to their trademark collage.
I can probably name you groups and artists that were influenced by this album, but I would have difficulty in categorizing the music of the Cocteau Twins – they sound like their own entity. The immediate standout is Elizabeth Fraser’s mouth-music vocals, indecipherable words that she usually chose to fit with the vibe of the song rather than conform to having meaning or message.
Needless to say, thanks to the Pink Opaque, I have fallen in love with the Cocteau Twins; I just wish I had listened to them sooner. While I delve deeper into their back catalog, get a taste of this excellent compilation for yourself – a sampling of my three favorite tracks can be found below.
Jul
2
2010
My Top 100 Songs of 2009 – 30-21
Today I continue my ten-part series showcasing my personal picks for the best songs of last year.
30. Magic Kids – Hey Boy
San Francisco has churned out some pretty awesome music as of late, and the 50’s-esque Magic Kids are too fun to pass up. Mix up a little Beach Boys, add some poodle skirt twists, and throw in the finest moments of Grease, and you’ve got “Hey Boy,” a girl/guy sing-along my sister and I have mastered.
Jul
1
2010
Quarterly Review: April-June 2010
Once every three months I list the best of what I heard in albums/songs/remixes for the quarter. I do this to personally keep up with all the awesome music I hear, as it ultimately helps me at the end of the year when I do my overall listing for the previous twelve months. I also do it to introduce you cool cats to tunes you may have missed independently.
Continue reading
Jun
30
2010
The Twenty Best Hood Internet Tracks
While Austin’s Beauty Bar isn’t exactly my favorite place for a number of reasons, it is the weekend hotspot for high-profile after parties and A-list DJs. So I find myself there from time to time.
This past Saturday, my favorite mashup duo rocked the house: The Hood Internet. They’ve been around for three years, and you’ve probably heard their work if you’ve spent time cruising the web. I would be safe in saying they’re probably the most popular mashup group out there, second only to Girl Talk. Needless to say, they got the place bumping. Afterwards, I browsed their site extensively, and I have compiled the finest of their work. Browse the list and don’t be afraid to sing along and shake your money maker.
Jun
29
2010
My Top 300 Songs of the 2000s – 230-221
Today I continue my ongoing feature showcasing my personal picks for the best songs of the past decade, posting ten songs at a time.
230. Grizzly Bear – Two Weeks
Plinking pianos, soaring background vocals, and an accessible approach to the band’s quiet tendencies brought Grizzly Bear their breakthrough track in 2009. While Veckatimest still had the trademark off-kilter minor keys and dark lyrics, “Two Weeks” came out of the oven ready for Gossip Girls. And there’s certainly nothing wrong with that.
Jun
28
2010
Songs About Being Lazy
It’s Monday. I’m lazy. You should be too. Here are some videos. We can get through this.
Together.
Jun
27
2010
Random Web Findings: Metacritic, Hipster Evolution, Music Blogs
Ranked: The Best and Worst Iraq/Afghanistan War Films
Adam Sandler: All Films Considered
Tom Cruise: All Films Considered
Pixar vs. DreamWorks Animation: Comparing the CGI Giants
15 Movies the Critics Got Wrong
19 Great TV Episodes Largely Confined to One Location
Pop Culture’s Ten Best Assisstants
The Ten Best Musical Rejections
Music Blogs Are Dead – Long Live Music Blogs!
Jun
25
2010
My Ten Favorite Michael Jackson Songs
Today marks the one-year anniversary of the death of the King of Pop. Whatever your opinions of the man, his fascinating (and unusual) life, and his music, I haven’t met a single soul who doesn’t recollect where they were and what they were doing when they heard the news. It’s one of those moments in history, like the murder of John Lennon, the suicide of Kurt Cobain, the 9/11 tragedy, or the JFK assassination, that resonates with a collective majority. It’s a moment that stands the test of time and forever remains in the memories of many.
While others would deride Michael Jackson’s achievements and focus on his eccentricities, I am a huge fan of the man’s music and the impact it still has on popular culture. And so, in honor of this anniversary, after the jump are my ten favorite MJ tracks. Don’t stop til you get enough.
*this list only includes solo Jackson material – Jackson 5 deserve their own list – maybe next year.
Share This Blog
