The Moon and the Melodies occupies an odd place in the Cocteau Twins' discography: while it contains a few of the band's better songs (e.g. "She Will Destroy You"), it was completely overlooked by Robin Guthrie when he remastered the Cocteau Twins catalog several years back. This slight reiterates its undeserved reputation as an inessential "ambient" album. While The Moon and the Melodies is not necessarily successful as a collaborative effort, in that it seems quite tentative in integrating the Cocteau Twins' unique vocal and guitar arrangements into Harold Budd's Eno-esque ambient soundscapes and vice versa, it does contain some memorable work by everyone involved. The final track, "Ooze Out and Away, Onehow" is, in particular, not to be missed.
The Moon and the Melodies
1. Sea, Swallow Me (3:09)
2. Memory Gongs (7:27)
3. Why Do You Love Me? (4:51)
4. Eyes Are Mosaics (4:09)
5. She Will Destroy You (4:17)
6. The Ghost Has No Home (7:27)
7. Bloody and Blunt (2:17)
8. Ooze Out and Away, Onehow (3:39)
Thanks!!
ReplyDeleteOkay I'm going in! I'll give this, and the Jesus And Mary Chain, a serious listen.
ReplyDeleteIssi, my pleasure!
ReplyDeletescurfie, it would shock me if you didn't like "Psychocandy"....Cocteau Twins are probably a more "love it or hate it" thing
ReplyDeleteI have to tell you ever since you posted Garlands I have listened to it via headphones everyday at my computer. I just love it! Psychocandy is a grower I believe...
ReplyDeletescurfie, do you happen to have the expanded edition of Gang of Four's "Entertainment!" in FLAC?
ReplyDeleteI have the re-mastered not the extended. I will have a look around and see if I can find the extended.
ReplyDeleteI would say that the Jesus and Mary are a more "love it or hate it" thing than The Cocteau Twins who are easier on the ears.
ReplyDeleteHi anonymous, you're probably right, but I think Elizabeth Fraser's vocal style is a turn-off for some. Personally I love her singing, and with regard to JAMC, I find their first two albums impeccable, not too fond of what came after that.
ReplyDeletescurfie, thanks, it would be great to post the expanded version along with the new one
ReplyDeleteI can't believe that this is looked upon as one their lesser works. Not for me. We use to drop an E to this one and float. Budd is a mammoth talent.
ReplyDeleteI look at this more through the lens of Eno and from that perspective this looms large. This and Victorialand are perfect of that time.
yes, I agree. Definitely a strangely under-appreciated gem in the Cocteau Twins' discography. "Victorialand" is coming soon
ReplyDeleteThis sounds SOOOO good on an E part 2.
ReplyDeletehave you listened Harold Budd & Robin Guthrie – "Bordeaux" ?
ReplyDeleteNo?
so :
http://www.mediafire.com/?8andba21y9dpxx1
Darla Records is proud to offer Bordeaux, a new album by Robin Guthrie and Harold Budd; unquestionably the two masters of sonic beauty, minimalism and modern ambient. We feel there is nothing better than an artist with a sound so completely original and unique unto himself that it is instantly recognizable. This gift is widely acknowledged to be one bestowed on both Mr. Guthrie and Mr. Budd. What’s even more significant, however, is how the signature style of each combine to create a complimentary union so rare and sublime.
ReplyDeleteSince meeting in 1986 when they recorded The Moon And The Melodies they have joined occasionally for albums, soundtracks and live performances. Each has forged a very independent music career and become firmly established in his own right. Mr. Budd’s 1984 album The Pearl, a collaboration with Brian Eno, remains an ambient minimalist milestone that set the scene for a whole generation of copyists. Likewise Mr. Guthrie’s guitar and production work, from his roots in Cocteau Twins, has broken entirely new ground and has had a significant impact on alternative music for over 30 years.
With the twin albums After The Night Falls and Before The Day Breaks released in 2006, Mr. Guthrie and Mr. Budd received acclaim without parallel. However, Bordeaux, recorded in the hazy Summer of 2010 in a studio near Bordeaux, France, has a further degree of elegance, poise and sheer breathtaking romance, which shows these two fine gentlemen at their best.
Evident, as one would expect, is a maturity, intensity and depth of character, magnificently understated, which no others in the field can even come close to matching. Its dense richness makes Bordeaux a striking work of ambient impressionism. Quite clearly, Mr. Budd and Mr. Guthrie have created one of the most atmospheric and captivating instrumental performances of our time.
Tracklist:
1. Gaze [3:42]
2. Deva C [3:52]
3. The Names Of Those Never Here [4:26]
4. So Many Short Years Ago [3:43]
5. The Belles Of Saint Andrew [3:43]
6. Radiant City [4:53]
7. L’Aventure [7:06]
8. Smiling Apart [7:00]
9. Southern Shore [10:00]
douxee, thanks for this! I will definitely seek this out.
ReplyDeleteha, you even provided a link, which I missed at first! thanks!
ReplyDeleteWooow, this one and the The Pink Opaque was my very favorite Cocteau Twins records in my high school years!!! I've lost this tape more than 15 years ago! Thank You, thank You, thank You!!!
ReplyDelete(rl) matiné, you're welcome! A very underrated Cocteau album
ReplyDelete