Cocteau Twins

Scotland • 1979-01-01 – 1997-01-01

Biography

Cocteau Twins were a Scottish rock band active from 1979 to 1997. They were formed in Grangemouth on the Firth of Forth by Robin Guthrie (guitars, drum machine) and Will Heggie (bass), adding Elizabeth Fraser (vocals) in 1981. In 1983, Heggie was replaced by multi-instrumentalist Simon Raymonde. The group earned critical praise for their ethereal, effects-laden sound and the soprano vocals of Fraser, whose lyrics often eschew any recognisable language. They pioneered the 1980s alternative subgenre of dream pop and helped define what would become shoegaze. In 1982, the band signed with the record label 4AD and released their debut album, Garlands. The addition of Raymonde in 1983 solidified their best-known lineup, which soon produced the No. 29 UK single "Pearly-Dewdrops' Drops", their highest-charting UK single. The trio crystallised their "swelling, euphoric" dream pop style on the 1984 album Treasure, which became the band's first UK Top 40 album. In April 1986, they released their fourth album, Victorialand, becoming their first top ten album in the UK. The group's fifth album Blue Bell Knoll (1988) peaked at number 15 in the UK and at 109 on the Billboard 200 in the US: "Carolyn's Fingers" was popular on US alternative radio stations and reached number 2 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks. Their sixth album, Heaven or Las Vegas (1990) became their most commercially successful album in the UK, reaching number 7 on the albums chart. By 1993, the band had left 4AD for Fontana Records, and released their seventh album Four-Calendar Café (1993). Following its release they made their debut American television appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno performing the single "Bluebeard". Four-Calendar Café became their highest-charting album on the Billboard 200 in the United States, reaching number 78. They released their eighth and final album Milk & Kisses in April 1996, supported by two singles – "Tishbite" and "Violaine". After nearly 20 years together, the gro

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