The seminal sounds of the Cocteau Twins

We've been listening to the loads of magnificent Cocteau Twins stuff lately. Especially their last LP, 1997's sublime 'Milk & Kisses'; a stunning album that should have attained huge success, but of course didn't.

The greatest thing to come out of Scotland since ... erm ... let's just say ever! (we can't actually think of much else great that came out of Scotland! Well aside from JAMC and James Kelman! Only kidding lil Jockos ... there's also Rod Stewart and that crazy chick Sue Bile from that awful Brit "talent" show)

The Cocteau Twins - flagship of the greatest Music Label ever; the wonderful 4AD Records - were a hugely influential group, the Cocteaus laid the foundations for the hoards of inferior 'shoegazing' bands that sprung up in the 80s/90s.

We read that apparently Prince and Madonna too are big fans! (bizarre ... but we kid you not!)

A wider audience will have heard the unique vocal talents of Elisabeth Fraser on the by Massive Attack hit "Teardrop.

The amazing thing about Liz's vocals is that for the most part there are no lyrics per se. A style that harks back to the most ancient of music. The wonderful sounds she makes are essentially that ... sounds; designed primarily to emotionally fit the music rather than necessarily make conventional sense.

It's hard to describe what The Cocteau Twins sound like as their sound evolves and their music mutates with each album! However if Angels existed and ever played music, it might sound like this.

In 2008, Q music magazine awarded them a long overdue Achievement Award. Only seven years after the band called it a day!