Track Listing
1. Know Who You Are At Every Age
2. Evangeline
3. Bluebeard
4. Theft And Wandering Around Lost
5. Oil Of Angels
6. Squeeze Wax
7. My Truth
8. Essence
9. Summerhead
10. Pur
| Details | | Number of CDs: | 1 | | Producer: | Cocteau Twins | | Recording Type: | Studio | | Distributor: | Universal Music | | Recording Mode: | Stereo |
Album Notes
Cocteau Twins: Elizabeth Fraser (vocals); Robin Guthrie (guitar); Simon Raymonde (bass).Additional personnel: Ben Blakeman, Mitsuo Tate (guitar).Recorded at September Sound, London, England.FOUR-CALENDAR CAFE is the Cocteau Twins' eighth album. It's also their first since the Twins left 4AD feeling constrained by their long-time label's signature sound. That said, FOUR-CALENDAR CAFE could only be a Cocteau Twins album. The Twins make no major changes in their trademark ethereal sound here. They do, however, make two minor adjustments. Firstly, Robin Guthrie utilizes more acoustic guitar and doesn't rely quite as much on his bag of guitar effects as he did on earlier records. And Elizabeth Fraser sings in consistent and recognizable English for the first time in the Twin's catalogue.These alterations notwithstanding, CAFE is still as steeped in fluid atmospheres and airy textures as anything in the Twins' past. Standouts include "Bluebeard," which rides on waves of gentle slide guitar and Fraser's soaring vocals (she is probably the only person on Earth who could sing "are you the right man for me? or you toxic for me?" and make it sound otherworldly). "Theft, and Wandering Around Lost" comes closest to replicating the band's sound, circa-1985. "Squeeze-Wax" features a shimmering, light-reflecting-off-water quality just under its surface, and-believe it or not-"Summerhead" kinda rocks(!).
Editorial Reviews
...FOUR-CALENDAR CAFE finds the Cocteau's wallowing in one of rock's cheapest and best pleasures: big hooks....the Cocteau Twins' old-fashioned popcraft opens the gates of the world a bit wider without compromising their signature atmospherics....
Rolling Stone (03/10/1994)
Recommended - ...CAFE is a stripped-down, more straightforwardly melodic version of the Cocteau Twins trademark hum-and-strum...
Spin (12/01/1993)
...By no means a breakthrough record, FOUR-CALENDAR CAFE is a new direction and a nice addition to the Twins' already expansive career....
Audio Magazine (03/01/1994)
4 Stars - ...there is nothing self-indulgent or evasive about [FOUR CALENDAR CAFE]...[Elizabeth] Fraser's vocals dominate every tune and [her] lyrics no longer sound like someone thinking aloud in a private language...
Q (10/01/1993)
...FOUR CALENDAR CAFE consists of romantic rhapsodies and shimmering glissandos played on celestial harps....But here's the real surprise: For the first time ever, you can hear what [Elizabeth Fraser's] on about...
Melody Maker (10/23/1993)
Ranked #46 in New Musical Express' list of `The Top 50 LPs Of 1993' - ...It's the Cocteaus doing what only the Cocteaus can do and doing it very well...
NME (12/25/1993)
8 - Excellent - ...they still provide the best soundtrack for sex....
NME (10/16/1993)
...FOUR-CALENDAR CAFE finds the Cocteau's wallowing in one of rock's cheapest and best pleasures: big hooks....the Cocteau Twins' old-fashioned popcraft opens the gates of the world a bit wider without compromising their signature atmospherics....Spin (12/93, p.120) - Recommended - ...CAFE is a stripped-down, more straightforwardly melodic version of the Cocteau Twins trademark hum-and-strum... Audio Magazine (3/94, p.86) - ...By no means a breakthrough record, FOUR-CALENDAR CAFE is a new direction and a nice addition to the Twins' already expansive career....Q (10/93, p.104) - 4 Stars - ...there is nothing self-indulgent or evasive about [FOUR CALENDAR CAFE]...[Elizabeth] Fraser's vocals dominate every tune and [her] lyrics no longer sound like someone thinking aloud in a private language...Melody Maker (10/23/93, p.35) - ...FOUR CALENDAR CAFE consists of romantic rhapsodies and shimmering glissandos played on celestial harps....But here's the real surprise: For the first time ever, you can hear what [Elizabeth Fraser's] on about...NME (12/25/93, p.67) - Ranked #46 in New Musical Express' list of `The Top 50 LPs Of 1993' - ...It's the Cocteaus doing what only the Cocteaus can do and doing it very well...NME (10/16/93, p.32) - 8 - Excellent - ...they still provide the best soundtrack for sex....
Rolling Stone (03/10/1994)
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