Heaven or Las Vegas
Encyclopedia
Heaven or Las Vegas is a 1990 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.
, who complimented Elizabeth Fraser
's more direct vocals and the album's complex songwriting. The album is also included in the 2008 edition of 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die
. 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'.
Cocteau Twins
Cocteau Twins were a Scottish alternative rock band active from 1979 to 1997, known for innovative instrumentation and atmospheric, non-lyrical vocals...
, 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
Elizabeth Fraser
Elizabeth Davidson Fraser is a Scottish singer best known as the vocalist for the pioneer alternative rock group Cocteau Twins...
are more intelligible; many of them concern her newborn daughter Lucy Belle. Guitarist Robin Guthrie
Robin Guthrie
Robin Guthrie is a musician best known as co-founder of the Cocteau Twins. During his career Guthrie has played guitar, bass guitar, keyboards, drums and other musical instruments, in addition to programming, sampling and sound processing...
was experiencing problems with drug addiction, and as a result of his decreased time in the studio, bassist Simon Raymonde
Simon Raymonde
Simon Philip Raymonde is an English musician and record producer. He is the son of the late arranger and composer, Ivor Raymonde.-Career:...
's playing is more in the forefront.
Despite 4AD
4AD
4AD is a British independent record label that was started in 1979 by Ivo Watts-Russell and Peter Kent, funded by Beggars Banquet Records, and is still active today...
label president Ivo Watts-Russell
Ivo Watts-Russell
Ivo Watts-Russell was joint-founder with Peter Kent of the English indie record label 4AD. He has also produced several records, himself preferring to use the term "musical director" to explain his role in the creation....
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
The album has received positive critical acclaim. It was listed as the 90th best album of the 1990s by Pitchfork MediaPitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...
, who complimented Elizabeth Fraser
Elizabeth Fraser
Elizabeth Davidson Fraser is a Scottish singer best known as the vocalist for the pioneer alternative rock group Cocteau Twins...
's more direct vocals and the album's complex songwriting. The album is also included in the 2008 edition of 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die
1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die
1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die is a musical reference book edited by Robert Dimery, first published in 2005. The most recent edition consists of a list of albums released between 1955 and 2010, part of a series from Quintessence Editions Ltd...
. 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'.
Track listing
- "Cherry-Coloured Funk" – 3:12
- "Pitch the Baby" – 3:14
- "Iceblink LuckIceblink Luck"Iceblink Luck" is a single by three-piece Scottish band Cocteau Twins. It was released by 4AD Records in August 1990. It was the first single to be released from the Heaven or Las Vegas album...
" – 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
External links
- Heaven Or Las Vegas at the Eyesore DatabaseEyesore DatabaseThe Eyesore Database is a popular web-based discography for the 4AD record label. The database was well-maintained for several years, providing a very thorough listing of all releases on the label, with extensive tracklistings, album covers, credits, trivia and even entries for albums by 4AD...