LP
4AD - 4AD0193LP (2020) US, EU
4AD repress two more albums from Cocteau Twins on vinyl - their 1982 debut Garlands and 1986's Victorialand. This means that with the exception of The Moon and the Melodies (their 1986 collaboration with Harold Budd), all of the band's studio albums released across 4AD and Fontana are now back in print. Both reissues will be pressed using audio remastered from the original analogue tapes and with art faithful to their original 23 Envelope designs.
Victorialand, Cocteau Twins' fourth album, was released in spring 1986. The largely acoustic, non-percussive album was made with Elizabeth Fraser and Robin Guthrie, while Simon Raymonde was working on This Mortal Coil's second album, Filigree & Shadow. Dif Juz label mate Richard Thomas guested on tabla and saxophone.
The Guardian said, "It's not quite ambient, but it's definitely not rock 'n' roll even by the Cocteaus' standards, building on the moments of guitar shimmer from the previous years' EPs, while also stripping back at points to where it's nothing but a Guthrie guitar line and Fraser's voice."
This is Victorialand's first vinyl pressing since the 80s, with this version cut at 33⅓ RPM.