Sam's Record Collection #1

For the past 3 years, I have been collecting records and have built up a large collection. I am no way close to stopping either.

Vinyl is the best method of listening to music and that more people should appreciate it. The music is cut straight from the masters, you can build a sentimental collection and its tangible; you get the absolute pleasure of placing the record on your player and watching it spin round and round and round. There is just something about the feeling you get when you walk into a record shop and see that they have stocked your favourite album; you feel like an excited child at Christmas who can't wait to play with all of their new toys!

Due to this passion, I will be talking with other record collectors about their collections and their thoughts about the vinyl industry. In a way I want to build a community of vinyl lovers and get a conversion of music and vinyl going! I want opinions, debates and most importantly the chance for people to share. To get the ball rolling, I will discuss my own personal journey with Vinyl.

"Garlands" by Cocteau Twins

One of my latest purchase was “Garlands” By 1980s Scottish dream pop band Cocteau Twins. Garlands was the first release by the band, which peaked in the top 5 UK independent charts. The album is raw and authentic and its one those albums you can put on in the background and it will send you into a relaxation, despite the album feeling very tense. For me, it’s the contrast of the blissful vocals layered with dark guitar tones offering a Gothic feel to the album. Billboard described the album as “dark post-punk,” and that’s exactly what it is. The album Is seemingly gothic, while still carrying that rough around the edges post-punk sound, particularly with that pulsating bass tone. The album creates a sense of tension with the opening track “Blood Bitch,” a harsh build-up creates the feel of the album, allowing the album to flow incredibly well.

Personally, this is not my favourite release from the Cocteau Twins; this album may have got commercial success and started the band off, but for me, this album isn’t as exciting as their later releases. It`s fair really, they were just starting off and it was a way for them to test the water. However, saying that, what I loved about Cocteau Twins was that feeling of nostalgia and beauty within their music- it is uplifting and intense and that’s what I loved about them, and dream pop itself. However, this album does the opposite which I feel is still great. This album is musically dense and incredibly dreary, like stated above its that kind of album you can sit quietly and listen to. While it still makes you drift off, you almost sit with discomfort. The album gives off a sense of loneliness, you picture a desolate field or road when you listen to It. I think it's by the subtle build up in the music and how it`s layered with dark tones. This tone is even present in the album cover, with what looks like a desolate town with a demonic male in the front, showing some kind of discomfort. An example of this tone is the track “Shallow then Halo”- a song that is simplistic in its structure, carrying out that same dark tone, building a sense of discomfort with the listener.

This may have been my first purchase from the Cocteau Twins and but it definitely won't be my last.

By Sam Hennerley

(Part 2 will be coming next week)