#21

Get him!!!

#22

1 Like
#23

I was mad for 4AD around this time. Favourites probably Treasure, Come on Pilgrm, Throwing Muses

[quote=“malick, post:4, topic:4102”]
HNIA are criminally underrated. Should be as revered as the Cocteau Twins.[/quote]

Couldn’t agree more. Wonderful band.It’s a bit of a sprawling mess but I’d probably go for Home is in Your Head.

Any excuse to post a link to this.

#24

It is and it’s great. Probably their most consistent record for me but doesn’t have their absolute best tracks.

#25

[quote=“sean, post:5, topic:4102”]
I discovered the album Euphoria by Insides which was released in 1993 via our 4AD week and I really need to spend some more time with it[/quote]
I, probably unfairly, dismissed this album at the time. The band had previously been Earwig and I missed the more abrasive sound and acerbic lyrics.

#26

Neil Kulkarni did a great piece for The Quietus about Insides here http://thequietus.com/articles/07267-the-euphoria-of-insides

1 Like
#27

An excellent album, but even better is the Earwig album Under My Skin I Am Laughing (Earwig were basically the same people who became Insides)

#28

Katy Song is one of my most beloved. Brown Eyes is such a wonderfully subtle way to end an album.

3 Likes
#29

Very cool, thank you for that!

#30

Probably that Bon Iver one to a sold out audience
jk its

1 Like
#31

Great aesthetics, great music. Generally didn’t mind picking up the odd one that was duff (Heidi Berry and Liquorice come to mind) because it all looked so good. Filigree & Shadow also up there for me, but Mojave Three’s’Ask Me Tomorrow’ probably my favourite - beautiful country music by Slowdive people.

Post Ivo (I guess) but my number 1 4AD disc is probably FOTL’s ‘Travels …’

#32

anyone read the ‘facing the other way’ book? bought the deluxe limited edition set because it looked so nice http://martinaston.co.uk/new/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/FTOW-limited-4-web.jpg
have yet to actually read it as it is so in-depth it is a bit daunting

#33

Have not yet, but it most definitely is on my reading list.

I value Bret’s opinion and views on music. Well-spoken & worth viewing:

Facing The Other Way: The Story of 4AD - A Review (YouTube)

#34

Yeah, I’ve read it because I’m a massive fanboy

It’s really a ‘fans only’ book, don’t think it has much crossover appeal. Not to say it’s a bad book by any means, it’s very good, but it’s incredibly dense. Goes through every artist that Ivo signed so it’s pretty comprehensive. Occasionally it drags a little.

The main thing you take away from reading it is just how special a label it is. It’s basically Ivo’s own little world cast out on record, can’t think of another label with such personality. He comes across as a really interesting character; hermetic, sensitive, passionate, incredibly focused. Don’t think there will ever be a label like 4AD in the 80’s again. Such a weird and wonderful set up.

1 Like
#35

Also, on a more trivial note, it’s quite fascinating to read that Robin Guthrie was such a cokehead considering the delicacy/ethereal quality of the music.

#36

Wanted to shine a light on Ivo’s second and last project, The Hope Blister. The cover of Let The Happiness In is just stunning, and I am certain that David Sylvian must have approved.

Let The Happiness In from 1998’s …Smile’s OK (YouTube)

Listening lately to all three This Mortal Coil albums, it seems as though he was able to somehow tap into something that transcends music altogether, never to be matched in both mood and creativity.

#37

My favourite is probably the same as Ivo’s favourite - Heaven Or Las Vegas

#38

Keeping the Weekend Free is a great song!

#40

Cocteau Twins - Heaven or Las Vegas

#41

Regarding Cocteau Twins, I hold all LPs and EPs from Head Over Heels (1983) through Heaven or Las Vegas (1990) to be sacred & vital listening.

I recently listened to Victorialand (1986) entirely, while walking through a foggy wooded area just after a heavy rainfall. I was completely awestruck, as it felt as though I was in another world. This release has no percussion whatsoever, except for one song (#7 Feet-Like Fins) & is unique in that sense. If you have or have not heard this album, I urge you to revisit or to introduce this to your collection. For the latter, I envy you for the opportunity to hear an absolute gem for the first time.

Cocteau Twins Victorialand.jpg800×797 129 KB