The very firstbreakthroughin a career littered with breakthroughs: established them as the flagbearers of postpunks swirling transformation into ethereal bliss, broke them onto pop radio but Head Over Heels set the standard to which they would be compared for the rest of their career, and in the process, established the blueprint for ; a signpost for lost girls and boys throughout the 80s and still one of indies paramount imprints in 2018. There are remnants of the icey 808 riddims and metallic guitars that defined Garlands, but this, the follow up, sees the original trio pared down to a pair, and the romantic relationship between and in full bloom(hence the title), and so the cold nihilism that haunted their debut is swapped out for tender balladry and romantic reverie. You can just picture Rob & Liz locked in a lovedrunk gaze from across the studio whilst laying down these tracks. Sugar Hiccup is the big swirling ballad here, and The Tinderbox (Of A Heart), When Mama Was Moth, Musette And Drums and Multifoiled are great locked-inside-your-room-on-a-rainy-day jams. If the Cocteaus ever had a goth club peaktime banger, In Our Angelhood is definitely it. s design was a major breakthrough for the visual identity of 4AD as well: a supple, effervescent (also sort of gross) collage made up of obscure colors and textures depicting nothing specific whatsoever. This 180g remastered pressing sounds fantastic, and marks the first time the album has ever been available on vinyl in the US. Highly recommended.
- 180 vinyl pressing
- remastered fromoriginal analog tapes
- full color printed inner sleeve
- digital download included
- limited edition
- music label:4AD 2018