Cocteau Twins - Garlands (1982/1990)

Elizabeth Fraser, Robin Guthrie and original bassist Will Heggie formed Cocteau Twins in Grangemouth, Scotland in 1979.  The band was heavily influenced by Joy Division, The Birthday Party (who they would later go on tour with), and Souixsie and the Banshees.  Soon after their formation, they recorded and sent out two demos to John Peel and Ivo at 4AD Records.  The band was contacted immediately by John Peel and booked for a recording session.  4AD soon followed. Out of this came their debut album, Garlands.  The album cracked the top 5 spot on the independent charts, but many critics found this album left something to be desired.  I beg to differ.  This album is blissfully dark, and quiveringly beautiful.  Elizabeth Fraser's voice is like nothing I have ever heard before, or will ever hear again.  Even in its formative stage, the woman inspires a galvanic response with her vocals.  Tracks like "Wax and Wane" illustrate her immense talent. Robin and Will's guitar and bass playing are haunting in a way that was only possible in 1982. This is the only album Will Heggie appears on. Curiously enough, Gordon Sharp of Cindytalk sang back up vocals on "Hazel" and "Dear Heart".  After first listening to this album, I knew it belonged in my list of all time favorites.  Do yourself a favor and immerse yourself in the ethereal gloom that is Garlands.

Cindytalk - Camouflage Heart (1984/2007)

Exceedingly dark, cathartic, and at times, virtually unhinged, Gordon Sharp's early-80s incarnation of Cindytalk was a dazzlingly self-indulgent gloom-fest that anticipated the industrial-rock movement years before the genre even had a name. Best known for his fine contributions to the first This Mortal Coil project, It'll End in Tears, Sharp's work in Cindytalk is far more visceral and far less ethereal than what was emanating from the 4AD label at the time. While Gothic in mood, Camouflage Heart, Cindytalk's 1984 debut, has a dirty, gritty undertow that makes it sound something like Peter Murphy in full vampire-mode fronting The Birthday Party (in fact, Mick Harvey appears on "Under Glass"). On the standout track,"The Ghost Never Smiles," Sharp's eerie, wailing vocals sound like they are emanating from the bottom of a well as a dull tribal beat and guitar feedback carry the song toward what feels like a free-fall into the abyss. Truly harrowing stuff. Want to join me there?