Treasure (Cocteau Twins album)

Treasure
Studio album by Cocteau Twins
Released 1 November 1984
Recorded August–September 1984 at Palladium Studios, Edinburgh and Rooster, West London
Genre Ethereal wave
Length 41:19
Label 4AD
Producer Cocteau Twins
Cocteau Twins chronology

The Spangle Maker
(1984)		 Treasure
(1984)		 Aikea-Guinea
(1985)

Treasure is the third studio album by Scottish alternative rock band Cocteau Twins. It was released on 1 November 1984 by record label 4AD. With this album, the band settled on what would, from then on, be their primary lineup: vocalist Elizabeth Fraser, guitarist Robin Guthrie and bass guitarist Simon Raymonde. This new lineup also coincided with the development of the ethereal[1] sound associated with the band's music.[2]

The album reached No. 29 on the UK Albums Chart, becoming the band's first UK Top 40 album, and charted for eight weeks.[3] It also became one of the band's most critically successful releases, although the band themselves expressed dismay at it.

Background

The album was recorded from August to September 1984 at Palladium Studios, Edinburgh and Rooster, West London.

The song "Ivo" was named after Ivo Watts-Russell, the founder of 4AD.

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
AllMusic [4]
BBC very favourable[5]
Martin C. Strong 9/10[6]
Rolling Stone [7]
Spin 9/10[8]
Stylus Magazine B−[9]

Treasure is considered by many fans to be the band's finest work,[10] and has received critical acclaim. Pitchfork wrote, "Cocteau Twins' third album was titled simply enough. Treasure was an adjective for the endlessly inventive melodic lines you'd find buried in these songs, and a verb for what you'd do with them for years to come", and noted that the record signalled the start of the Cocteau Twins' "signature ethereality".[2] Ned Raggett of AllMusic complimented its "accomplished variety", saying, "Treasure lives up to its title and then some as a thorough and complete triumph."[4] BBC Online wrote, "Treasure was where the Cocteau Twins first got it 100 percent right."[5] Melody Maker described the album as "true brilliance" and stated that the band were "the voice of God".[11]

From the band

Bass guitarist Simon Raymonde alluded to it being rushed and unfinished, while guitarist Robin Guthrie referred to it as "an abortion"[12] and to the period in which it was made as "arty-farty pre-Raphaelite".[10] Nonetheless, as Raymonde observed, "It seems to be the one that people like the best and it's probably sold the best."[12]

Accolades

Slant Magazine listed the album at No. 74 on its list of the best albums of the 1980s,[13] while NME named Treasure the 37th best album of 1984.[14] Pitchfork listed Treasure as the 98th best album of the 1980s.[2]

The album was included in the 2008 edition of 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.

Track listing

All songs written and composed by Cocteau Twins (Elizabeth Fraser, Robin Guthrie and Simon Raymonde). 

Side A
No. Title Length
1. "Ivo"   3:53
2. "Lorelei"   3:43
3. "Beatrix"   3:11
4. "Persephone"   4:20
5. "Pandora (for Cindy)"   5:35
Side B
No. Title Length
1. "Amelia"   3:31
2. "Aloysius"   3:26
3. "Cicely"   3:29
4. "Otterley"   4:04
5. "Donimo"   6:19

Personnel

Cocteau Twins
Production

References

  1. ↑ Scourfield , Jack (14 July 2014). "Cocteau Twins: The Complete Guide". Clash. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Dare, Christopher (20 November 2002). "Staff Lists: Top 100 Albums of the 1980s | Features | Pitchfork". Pitchfork. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  3. ↑ "The Official Charts Company - Treasure by Cocteau Twins Search". The Official Charts Company. 6 May 2013.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Raggett, Ned. "Treasure - Cocteau Twins : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards : AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Jones, Chris (22 August 2008). "BBC – Music – Review of Cocteau Twins – Treasure". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  6. ↑ The Essential Rock Discography – Volume 1: 222. 2006. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  7. ↑ "Cocteau Twins – Treasure". acclaimedmusic.net. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
  8. ↑ Weisbard, Eric; Marks, Craig (1995). Spin Alternative Record Guide. Vintage Books. p. 87. ISBN 0-679-75574-8.
  9. ↑ Parrish, Peter (7 May 2007). "Cocteau Twins – Treasure – Review – Stylus Magazine". Stylus Magazine. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Cocteau Twins | History | Chapter 6: 1984". cocteautwins.com. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  11. ↑ "Cocteau Twins: Treasure review", Melody Maker, 10 November 1984
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Select, October 1990
  13. ↑ "Best Albums of the 1980s | Music | Slant Magazine". Slant Magazine. 5 March 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  14. ↑ "Albums and Tracks of the Year: 1984". nme.com. Retrieved 3 January 2013.

External links