Spangle Maker [Import]

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
Canadian pressing of the ethereal Scottish trio's classic 1984 EP. Tracks, 'The Spangle Maker', 'Pearly-Dewdrops' Drops' (12-inch version), 'Pepper-Tree', & 'Pearly-Dewdrops' Drops' (7-inch version). 4AD. 1991.

Tracks:

Pearly- Dewdrops' Drops
Pepper Tree
Pearly Dewdrops' Drops
Bonus

Customer Reviews:

A bridge from HEAD OVER HEELS to TREASURE.......2005-01-15

Recorded from January to March of 1984, the Cocteau Twins EP "The Spangle Maker" came between the 1983 album HEAD OVER HEELS and their breakthrough TREASURE. This EP marks the first appearance of bassist Simon Raymonde, whose remarkable musicianship immediately adds to the Cocteau Twins' ethereal sound. As with all Twins releases, this EP shows an evolution, which this time is from the rawness of earlier releases to the comparatively more lush and gentle TREASURE.

The EP opens with "The Spangle Maker", a throbbing bass drum-driven song that plods along for a few minutes before the vocals explode in a climax of wailing. It may be the weakest song on the EP because it is uncomfortably raw and sounds unfinished. "Pearly Dewdrop's Drops (12" Version)" is a bouncy sugary song that has the distinction of being the highest charting Cocteau Twins song. It's very radio-friendly, but the finest part of the track is the first 20 seconds, before the song actually kicks in, where Liz sings nearly a capella the refrain. Her vocal technique in this part is clearly superior to what anything that she has done before, which was already astounding as it was.

The third track is "Pepper Tree", a hidden gem. One of the Cocteau Twins most underrated songs, it seems a little early here, as it is based on a sound the band moved to on 1985's "Aikea-Guinea" EP. A slower, more languishing track, it provides a bit of rest between two bouncing versions of "Pearly Dewdrop's Drops". This is probably the best track to measure the admirable skills of newcomer Simon Raymonde, as the production makes the bass pretty up front.

The EP closes with "Pearly Dewdrop's Drops (7" Version)", the radio edit of the second track. A full minute shorter, it regrettably doesn't have the gorgeous intro.

One of the oddest things about this EP is its explicitness. Cocteau Twins lyrics are often sexual ("Fotzepolitic" from HEAVEN OR LAS VEGAS, or "Oil of Angels" from FOUR CALENDAR CAFE are good examples), but here it's right out in the open. With the song titles "The Spangle Maker" and "Pearly Dewdrop's Drops", you should be able to guess what exactly Liz is singing about here. The lyrics of these two songs, which are intelligible nearly the whole way through, are so coyly obscene that the attentive listener is simply shocked that such a diminutive and unassuming woman can say such things. How "Pearly Dewdrop's Drops" got so much radio play in the UK upon the EP's release shows that the Cocteau Twins sound is so heavenly absorbing that one could usually care less what words Liz is singing because of the glory of that voice.

The artwork of the album, by famed British designer Vaughan Oliver, is just as solid as in the other Cocteau Twins EPs. The cover picture by early 20th-century American photographer Gertrude Kasebier matches the music quite well.

While some of the Cocteau Twins' finest work is on their EPs it's probably best to start with their albums. I'd recommend HEAVEN OR LAS VEGAS or TREASURE as an introduction to their work if you've never before heard this excellent group. Once you've got the albums, the EPs await. However, I think that the "Aikea-Guinea" and "Love's Easy Tears" EPs are superior to this one, so try those first.

Average customer rating:

Bridging HEAD OVER HEELS and TREASURE, more evolution
Is it just the chocolate on your tooth?

Spangle Maker

ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | British Alternative | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Dream Pop | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Alternative Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0000088K7
Release Date: 1998-04-07

Tracks:

The Spangle Maker
Pearly-Dewdrops' Drops (12 Inch Version)
Pepper-Tree
Pearly-Dewdrops' Drops (7 Inch Version)

Album Description

Canadian pressing of the ethereal Scottish trio's classic 1984 EP. Tracks, 'The Spangle Maker', 'Pearly-Dewdrops' Drops' (12-inch version), 'Pepper-Tree', & 'Pearly-Dewdrops' Drops' (7-inch version). 4AD. 1991.

Customer Reviews:

Bridging HEAD OVER HEELS and TREASURE, more evolution.......2002-09-28

Recorded from January to March of 1984, the Cocteau Twins' "The Spangle Maker" EP came after their 1983 album HEAD OVER HEELS and their breakthrough TREASURE. This EP is the first appearance of bassist Simon Raymonde, whose remarkable musicianship immediately adds to the Cocteau Twins' ethereal sound. As with all Twins releases, this EP shows an evolution, which this time is from the rawness of earlier releases to the comparatively more lush and gentle TREASURE.

The EP opens with "The Spangle Maker", a throbbing bass drum-driven that plods along for a few minutes before the vocals explode in a climax of wails. It's the weakest song on the EP, because it is uncomfortably raw and sounds unfinished. "Pearly Dewdrop's Drops (12" Version)" is a bouncy sugary song that has the distinction of being the highest charting Cocteau Twins song. It's very radio-friendly, but the finest part of the track is the first 20 seconds, before the song actually kicks in, where Liz sings nearly a capella the refrain. Her vocal technique in this part is clearly superior to what anything that she has done before, which was already astounding as it was. The third track is "Pepper Tree", a hidden gem. One of the Cocteau Twins most underrated songs, it seems a little early here, as it is based on a sound the band moved to on 1985's "Aikea-Guinea" EP. A slower, more languishing track, it provides a bit of rest between two bouncing versions of "Pearly Dewdrop's Drops". This is probably the best track to measure the admirable skills of newcomer Simon Raymonde, as the production makes the bass pretty up front. The EP closes with "Pearly Dewdrop's Drops (7" Version)", the radio edit of the second track. A full minute shorter, it regrettably doesn't have the gorgeous intro.

One of the oddest things about this EP is its explicitness. Cocteau Twins lyrics are often sexual ("Fotzepolitic" from HEAVEN OR LAS VEGAS, or "Oil of Angels" from FOUR CALENDAR CAFE are good examples), but here it's right out in the open. With the song titles "The Spangle Maker" and "Pearly Dewdrop's Drops", you should be able to guess what exactly Liz is singing about here. The lyrics of these two songs, which are intelligible nearly the whole way through, are so coyly obscene that the attentive listener is simply shocked that such a diminutive and unassuming woman can say such things. How "Pearly Dewdrop's Drops" got so much radio play in the UK upon the EP's release shows that the Cocteau Twins sound is so heavenly absorbing that one could usually care less what words Liz is singing because of the glory of that *voice.*

The artwork of the album, by famed British designer Vaughan Oliver, is just as solid as in the other Cocteau Twins EPs. The cover picture by early 20th-century American photographer Gertrude Kasebier matches the music quite well.

While some of the Cocteau Twins' finest work is on their EPs (especially 1986's "Love's Easy Tears" EP), it's probably best to start with their albums. I'd recommend HEAVEN OR LAS VEGAS or TREASURE as an introduction to their work if you've never before heard this excellent group. Once you've got the albums, the EPs await. However, I think that the "Aikea-Guinea" and "Love's Easy Tears" EPs are superior to this one, so try those first.

Is it just the chocolate on your tooth?.......1998-09-24