Blue Bell Knoll
| Blue Bell Knoll | ||||||||||
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| Studio album by Cocteau Twins | ||||||||||
| Released | 19 September 1988 | |||||||||
| Recorded | September Sound, Twickenham, England | |||||||||
| Genre | Dream pop | |||||||||
| Length | 35:17 | |||||||||
| Label | 4AD - CAD807 | |||||||||
| Producer | Cocteau Twins | |||||||||
| Cocteau Twins chronology | ||||||||||
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| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [1] |
| The Age | (very favourable)[2] |
| Drowned In Sound | (10/10)[3] |
| Martin C. Strong | (7/10)[4] |
| Robert Christgau | (C+)[5] |
| Piero Scaruffi | 7/10[6] |
Blue Bell Knoll (1988) is the fifth album by Scottish band Cocteau Twins.
This was the first LP by the Twins to receive major-label distribution in the USA, as it was originally licensed by Capitol Records from 4AD for North American release. After a period of being out of print while 4AD reclaimed the American distribution rights for their back catalog, this (along with much of the band's 4AD material) was remastered by Robin Guthrie and re-issued in 2003. The album shares its name with a peak in southern Utah, Bluebell Knoll.
Critical reception
Blue Bell Knoll was listed by Pitchfork Media as the 81st best album of the 1980s, describing it as a return to the band's ethereal style explored on Treasure.[7] It was also appraised as "everything that atmospheric music should be and usually isn't."[2] NME also viewed Blue Bell Knoll positively, placing it at #33 in Albums of the Year 1988.[8]
A less favourable response came from Robert Christgau, who criticized the "momentary momentum" of the record's guitar-playing, and highlighted its supposedly boring nature: "Ever hear the one about being so open-minded that when you lay down to sleep your brains fall out?"[5] Allmusic reviewer Ned Raggett awarded the album three out of five stars, saying that "Blue Bell Knoll has some striking moments that are pure Cocteaus at their best" and citing the opening track "Blue Bell Knoll", "For Phoebe Still a Baby", and the U.S. single "Carolyn's Fingers" as highlights,[1] before suggesting that "things slowly but surely slide back a bit" afterwards. Drowned in Sound reviewer Gen Williams disagreed, saying in her 2002 review that "from start to finish, it's a record that gleams with grace and emotion; chiming, mournful guitars and layered tapestry of sounds evoke a vast array of imagery".[3]
Track listing
All songs written by Elizabeth Fraser, Robin Guthrie and Simon Raymonde.
- "Blue Bell Knoll" – 3:24
- "Athol-Brose" – 2:59
- "Carolyn's Fingers" – 3:08
- "For Phoebe Still a Baby" – 3:16
- "The Itchy Glowbo Blow" – 3:21
- "Cico Buff" – 3:49
- "Suckling the Mender" – 3:35
- "Spooning Good Singing Gum" – 3:52
- "A Kissed Out Red Floatboat" – 4:10
- "Ella Megalast Burls Forever" – 3:39
Personnel
- Elizabeth Fraser - vocals
- Robin Guthrie - guitar
- Simon Raymonde - bass guitar
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Raggett, Ned. "Blue Bell Knoll – Cocteau Twins : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards : AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 January 2013.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Thieberger, Victoria (28 October 1988). "Best New Albums - Blue Bell Knoll". The Age (Fairfax Media). Retrieved 30 December 2011.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Williams, Gen (5 December 2002). "Cocteau Twins - Blue Bell Knoll". drownedinsound.com. Retrieved 3 January 2013.
- ↑ The Essential Rock Discography - Volume 1: 222. 2006.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Consumer Guide Reviews: Blue Bell Knoll". www.robertchristgau.com. Retrieved 3 January 2013.
- ↑ Scaruffi, Piero (1999). "Cocteau Twins". pieroscaruffi.com. Retrieved January 18, 2014.
- ↑ "Top 100 Albums of the 1980s". pitchforkmedia.com.
- ↑ "Albums and Tracks of the Year: 1988". NME. Retrieved 3 January 2013.
External links
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