Cocteau Twins: Milk & Kisses (Vinyl LP)

Cocteau Twins – vocalist Elizabeth Fraser, guitarist Robin Guthrie, and bassist Simon Raymonde – formed in Grangemouth, Scotland in the late 70s. The brainchild of Guthrie and original bassist Will Heggie, by 1981 they had added Fraser and the following year signed to 4AD, one of the most illustrious of the indie labels. With Raymonde replacing Heggie in 1983, the trio went on to create some of the most unique and otherworldly music of the 80s, built around Guthrie's chiming guitar and Fraser's unmistakable soprano.

By the early 90s, the group had just released their most successful album, the commercial Heaven Or Las Vegas, after which they moved to Mercury imprint Fontana, joining the likes of The Fall and the House Of Love.

Although not intended so at the time, Milk & Kisses – released in March 1996 – became the final album issued by the group. The trio worked separately but effectively – Raymonde would work in the daytime, Guthrie at night, leaving Fraser to add her vocals. Because of the aftershocks of her split with Guthrie, lyrics came easy to her. Led by the beautiful, hushed Top 30 single 'Tishbite' and containing fan favourites 'Violane' and 'Eperdu', Milk & Kisses has tended to be overlooked within the group's canon, and therefore is ripe for investigation. Although work had begun on a follow up album to Milk & Kisses, the Cocteau Twins split up in 1997.

1. Violaine
   
2. Serpentskirt
   
3. Tishbite
   
4. Half-Gifts
   
5. Calfskin Smack
6. Rilkean Heart
   
7. Ups
   
8. Eperdu
   
9. Treasure Hiding
   
10. Seekers Who Are Lovers