The Cocteau Twins are undoubtedly one of my favorite bands of all time. Elizabeth Fraser’s voice remains to be something that’s simply indescribable and unjustifiable by words alone, and a voice that I have not heard matched by anyone to this day. The band’s output is legendary among shoegazers, goths, ambient heads, and multi-purpose indie kids alike. This past year, 4AD released Lullabies to Violaine, a 4 disc retrospective collecting every single/b-side that the group has ever put out. All Cocteau Twins devotees know that the band often released their best tracks solely in the single format, making this collection so significant as a career retrospective and just so damn enjoyable. Unlike the earlier round of album reissues, the remastering on Lullabies sounds superb. The oft-overlooked post-4AD material sounds great as well, and might I add that many of the later songs double incredibly well as Christmas music.

I’ve posted four songs from the box set here. “The Spangle Maker” and “Aikea-Guinea” are Cocteau classics, and hardly need some meandering intro from me. (Note that the Aikea-Guinea is an alternate version from the original 12” version.) I’ve always felt that “Circling Girl” is one of the group’s most underrated songs; it’s incredibly lush and beautiful, and is as strong as anything else the group released in their final years. Finally, there’s the Cocteau’s take on “Frosty the Snowman” because… well.. tis the season and all. Enjoy~

Cocteau Twins - The Spangle Maker
Cocteau Twins - Aikea-Guinea (alternate version)
Cocteau Twins - Circling Girl
Cocteau Twins - Frosty the Snowman

-David