Tiny Dynamine
Encyclopedia
Tiny Dynamine is an EP
by the Scottish rock group Cocteau Twins
, released on 4AD Records. The EP features four non-album tracks. It was issued on 15 November 1985, two weeks prior to another EP entitled Echoes in a Shallow Bay
. The two EP sets, which feature complementary artwork, were also released combined as double EP in a gatefold cover and as an 8 track CD. The EP was re-issued in 1991 as part of The Box Set
and in 2005 as part of the singles/EP collection Lullabies to Violaine.
The band did not originally intend to release these songs to the general public, presumably explaining the decision to release the material on EPs, rather than as what would have been their fourth album. The tracks on Tiny Dynamine and Echoes in a Shallow Bay were initially recorded to test the production capacities of a new studio. When the band decided the material was strong enough for release, they completed the recording process and issued the finished product on two EPs.
"Pink Orange Red" and "Plain Tiger" have been performed live. An acoustic version of "Pink Orange Red" appears on the 1995 EP
Twinlights
, and a remastered version appears on the 2000 compilation Stars and Topsoil
.
With Fraser's typically indecipherable lyrics it is difficult to be sure, but all the titles on the two EPs seem to have some link with Lepidoptera
(butterflies and moths). Most are obscure but the Plain Tiger is a common Asian butterfly and the lyrics to "Melonella" (on Echoes In A Shallow Bay) are simply a recounting of various Lepidopteric family
names such as Hesperiidae and Papilionidae.
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
by the Scottish rock group Cocteau Twins
Cocteau Twins
Cocteau Twins were a Scottish alternative rock band active from 1979 to 1997, known for innovative instrumentation and atmospheric, non-lyrical vocals...
, released on 4AD Records. The EP features four non-album tracks. It was issued on 15 November 1985, two weeks prior to another EP entitled Echoes in a Shallow Bay
Echoes in a Shallow Bay
Echoes in a Shallow Bay is an EP by the Scottish rock group Cocteau Twins, released on 4AD. The EP features four non-album tracks. It was issued on 29 November 1985 two weeks after another EP entitled Tiny Dynamine. The two EP sets, which feature complementary artwork, were also released combined...
. The two EP sets, which feature complementary artwork, were also released combined as double EP in a gatefold cover and as an 8 track CD. The EP was re-issued in 1991 as part of The Box Set
The Box Set (Cocteau Twins)
The Box Set is a 1991 collection of EPs by the Scottish band Cocteau Twins. It collects their non-album releases up until that time. It also contains a bonus disc including songs from throughout their history which have not been otherwise released....
and in 2005 as part of the singles/EP collection Lullabies to Violaine.
The band did not originally intend to release these songs to the general public, presumably explaining the decision to release the material on EPs, rather than as what would have been their fourth album. The tracks on Tiny Dynamine and Echoes in a Shallow Bay were initially recorded to test the production capacities of a new studio. When the band decided the material was strong enough for release, they completed the recording process and issued the finished product on two EPs.
"Pink Orange Red" and "Plain Tiger" have been performed live. An acoustic version of "Pink Orange Red" appears on the 1995 EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
Twinlights
Twinlights
Twinlights is a 1995 EP by the Cocteau Twins. It was released along with the EP Otherness as a teaser for the album Milk and Kisses...
, and a remastered version appears on the 2000 compilation Stars and Topsoil
Stars and Topsoil
Stars And Topsoil is a compilation album by the Scottish rock group Cocteau Twins, released on the 4AD label in October 2000. The album features tracks released between 1982 and 1990, covering every Cocteau Twins album from Garlands to Heaven or Las Vegas.-Track listing:# "Blind Dumb Deaf" - 3:47#...
.
With Fraser's typically indecipherable lyrics it is difficult to be sure, but all the titles on the two EPs seem to have some link with Lepidoptera
Lepidoptera
Lepidoptera is a large order of insects that includes moths and butterflies . It is one of the most widespread and widely recognizable insect orders in the world, encompassing moths and the three superfamilies of butterflies, skipper butterflies, and moth-butterflies...
(butterflies and moths). Most are obscure but the Plain Tiger is a common Asian butterfly and the lyrics to "Melonella" (on Echoes In A Shallow Bay) are simply a recounting of various Lepidopteric family
Family
In human context, a family is a group of people affiliated by consanguinity, affinity, or co-residence. In most societies it is the principal institution for the socialization of children...
names such as Hesperiidae and Papilionidae.
12": 4AD / BAD 510 (UK)
- "Pink Orange Red" - 4:41
- "Ribbed and Veined" - 4:00
- "Plain Tiger" - 4:01
- "Sultitan Itan" - 3:53
CD: 4AD / BAD 510 CD (UK)
- "Pink Orange Red" - 4:41
- "Ribbed and Veined" - 4:00
- "Plain Tiger" - 4:01
- "Sultitan Itan" - 3:53
- "Great Spangled Fritillary" - 4:02
- "Melonella" - 4:05
- "Pale Clouded White" - 4:59
- "Eggs And Their Shells" - 3:06
- Tracks 5-8 from Echoes in a Shallow BayEchoes in a Shallow BayEchoes in a Shallow Bay is an EP by the Scottish rock group Cocteau Twins, released on 4AD. The EP features four non-album tracks. It was issued on 29 November 1985 two weeks after another EP entitled Tiny Dynamine. The two EP sets, which feature complementary artwork, were also released combined...
EP
Song descriptions
The four songs on Tiny Dynamine exhibit many 'trademark' Cocteau Twins elements: effects-laden guitar, fluid bass, emotional vocalising, indecipherable lyrics, multi-layering of guitar and vocal lines, and unusual vocal melodies. "Pink Orange Red" also displays a song structure that is characteristic of several Cocteau recordings, starting slowly with just guitar and voice but 'changing gear' part-way through into a more powerful second section. "Ribbed And Veined" is an instrumental recording only (something of a rarity in the Cocteau back-catalogue), and juxtapositions a brittle guitar lead melody with characteristic waves of liquid bass. "Plain Tiger" and "Sultitan Itan" both exhibit a definable 'verse'/'chorus' structure, alternating between more spaciously melodic 'verses' and more raucous and rhymically relentless 'chorus' sections.Personnel
- Elizabeth FraserElizabeth FraserElizabeth Davidson Fraser is a Scottish singer best known as the vocalist for the pioneer alternative rock group Cocteau Twins...
- vocals - Robin GuthrieRobin GuthrieRobin 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...
- guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with... - Simon RaymondeSimon RaymondeSimon Philip Raymonde is an English musician and record producer. He is the son of the late arranger and composer, Ivor Raymonde.-Career:...
- bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....