Heaven or Las Vegas
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| Heaven or Las Vegas | ||||
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| Studio album by Cocteau Twins | ||||
| Released | 17 September 1990 | |||
| Recorded | September Sound, Twickenham, England | |||
| Genre | Dream pop | |||
| Length | 37:42 | |||
| Label | 4AD - CAD0012 | |||
| Producer | Cocteau Twins | |||
| Cocteau Twins chronology | ||||
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Heaven or Las Vegas is the sixth album by Scottish rock group Cocteau Twins, their last for the music label 4AD. In terms of chart positions, it is the most successful Cocteau Twins album, reaching number seven in the UK. The album is noteworthy for the musical evolution the band was showing at the time. The lyrics of vocalist Elizabeth Fraser are more intelligible; many of them concern her newborn daughter Lucy Belle. Guitarist Robin Guthrie was experiencing problems with drug addiction, and as a result of his decreased time in the studio, bassist Simon Raymonde's playing is more in the forefront.
Despite 4AD label president Ivo Watts-Russell proclaiming that this LP was one of the best releases ever on his label, he released the Twins from their contract at the end of 1990, as his relationship with the band had soured.
Releases
Heaven or Las Vegas was released in 1990 by 4AD in the UK, and 4AD/Capitol Records in the USA. Early in the 21st century, 4AD set about re-acquiring American distribution rights for much of its back catalog. This resulted in a 2003 re-issue solely on 4AD, which was re-mastered by Guthrie.
Critical reception
| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [1] |
| Martin C. Strong | (7/10)[2] |
| Q |  [3] |
| Rolling Stone | 1992[4] 2004[4] |
| Spin | (favourable)[5] |
| Sputnikmusic | [6] |
| Virgin Encyclopedia | [7] |
The album has received positive critical acclaim. It was listed as the 90th best album of the 1990s by Pitchfork, who complimented Elizabeth Fraser's more direct vocals and the album's complex songwriting.[8] The album is also included in the 2008 edition of 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die,[9] and in The Guardian's online edition of a similar list.[10] It was considered the band's strongest work since Treasure by Allmusic reviewer Ned Raggett, who described it as "simply fantastic" and successful in creating "more accessibility".[1]
Heaven or Las Vegas was named by NME as the 28th best album of 1990.[11] Retrospectively, The Observer listed the album as the 97th greatest British album ever made.[12]
Track listing
All songs written by Cocteau Twins.
- "Cherry-Coloured Funk" – 3:12
- "Pitch the Baby" – 3:14
- "Iceblink Luck" – 3:18
- "Fifty-Fifty Clown" – 3:10
- "Heaven or Las Vegas" – 4:58
- "I Wear Your Ring" – 3:29
- "Fotzepolitic" – 3:30
- "Wolf in the Breast" – 3:31
- "Road, River and Rail" – 3:21
- "Frou-Frou Foxes in Midsummer Fires" – 5:38
Personnel
- Elizabeth Fraser - vocals
- Robin Guthrie - guitar
- Simon Raymonde - bass
- Andy Rumball - photography
- Paul West - sleeve design
References
- ^ a b Raggett, Ned. "Heaven or Las Vegas – Cocteau Twins > Review". allmusic.com. Allmusic. Retrieved 22 October 2011.
- ^ The Essential Rock Discography - Volume 1: 222. 2006.
- ^ "Cocteau Twins: Heaven or Las Vegas Audio CD". CD Universe. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
- ^ a b "Cocteau Twins - Heaven or Las Vegas". Acclaimed Music. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
- ^ Spin. December 1990.
- ^ Emeritus (16 January 2005). "Cocteau Twins - Heaven Or Las Vegas - review". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
- ^ Larkin, Colin. "Review: Heaven or Las Vegas". Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music: 2002.
- ^ LeMay, Matt (November 17, 2003). "Top 100 Albums of the 1990s: 090: Cocteau Twins Heaven or Las Vegas". pitchfork.com. Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 22 October 2011.
- ^ "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die". rocklistmusic.co.uk.
- ^ "1000 Albums to Hear Before you Die: Artists beginning with C". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 January 2013.
- ^ "Albums and Tracks of the Year: 1990". NME. Retrieved 3 January 2013.
- ^ "The 100 greatest British albums". The Observer. Retrieved 3 January 2013.
External links
- Heaven Or Las Vegas at the Eyesore Database
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