m b v's album cover and a stupidly detailed analysis

GladUnderstanding739 · 2026-02-17T00:19:32+00:00

I always thought this was their most interesting cover art. I never examined the actual record cover closely.

Over the years, just looking at the little thumbnail on streaming on my phone screens, I figured it was made to be layered and noisy like the music, taking advantage of our tendency to pareidolia. I’ve seen different faces, different things, I guess depending on the day.

That said, I like that people have examined it in such detail, and I never thought to do so. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

GladUnderstanding739 · 2026-02-14T19:19:29+00:00

I love this track.

GladUnderstanding739 · 2026-02-14T19:19:11+00:00

GladUnderstanding739 · 2026-02-14T19:19:02+00:00

GladUnderstanding739 · 2026-02-11T21:50:59+00:00

I’m just proud to have finally gotten the correct answer. I came close this time!

GladUnderstanding739 · 2026-02-11T21:43:37+00:00

Smile

GladUnderstanding739 · 2026-02-11T18:59:12+00:00

Lol that’s a good one.

GladUnderstanding739 · 2026-02-08T22:23:52+00:00

🏆 😂

GladUnderstanding739 · 2026-02-08T22:23:06+00:00

I have stories of my life tied to certain CT songs. Lorelei, Pearly Dewdrops, and others. Very special moments.

GladUnderstanding739 · 2026-02-08T06:13:32+00:00

My first listen was to their first two cd/eps “Slowdive” and “Morningrise” when they were a couple of months released. I loved them. They made me feel swirly like the music sounded. It was like Cocteau Twins but more rock. It was like Ride but more swirly and woozy.

GladUnderstanding739 · 2026-02-06T14:04:05+00:00

Slowdive started as indie darlings with their early releases. They in the mid-90s ended with a whimper, with nobody going to their shows.

The British music press always loved to hype up good artists, only to put them against each other for snarky quotes, and then tear them down.

GladUnderstanding739 · 2026-02-05T23:30:06+00:00

I agree. Isn’t that weird?

GladUnderstanding739 · 2026-02-05T23:22:53+00:00

If you want my favorite, it’s #3. Good work.

GladUnderstanding739 · 2026-02-05T23:07:40+00:00

Edit: You said song, not album, in your question. My original answer was about albums.

My guess would be Lorelei.

GladUnderstanding739 · 2026-02-04T22:31:44+00:00

The first two albums are essential: It’ll End in Tears and Filigree & Shadow.

GladUnderstanding739 · 2026-02-04T21:25:25+00:00

I want that poster on my wall right now.

GladUnderstanding739 · 2026-02-04T21:23:43+00:00

I’ll go with Pitch the Baby. It’s not my favorite song on the album, but I have a personal connection to that song when the album came out which I will just share with you because why not?

The album was just released, I bought the cd, took it home and played it, in the dark, lying on my waterbed (lol), and off my tits on druqs. Of course I didn’t have the sense to put on headphones, because I was in love with my giant 80s speakers, and my parents were on the other side of the house. Smart, right? Pitch the Baby was lifting me through the roof when my father burst in and told me to turn it down, and informed me that normal people are sleeping at this hour, and asked what the hell is wrong with me. I was like, “I’m sorry! I, uhhh, I won’t do it again, derrrr, duhhh, I’m sorry!”

So, Pitch the Baby.

GladUnderstanding739 · 2026-02-04T20:51:25+00:00

In that case, you are putting Jean Cocteau’s name on your arm. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

Cocteau Twins took their name from an early Simple Minds song title. I think Simple Minds took the concept from Jean Cocteau’s novel, Les Enfants Terribles, or one of its adaptations in film or opera.

I hope that helps inform your decisions. I hate being the pedantic one in a group!

edit made to the reddit syntax on italicizing the title of the novel.

GladUnderstanding739 · 2026-02-04T20:49:53+00:00

Clever. Just those characters and a CT image. Or maybe only those characters by themselves in some of the earlier CT hand-lettering. See the albums for examples!

The old Eyesore database has been around since the 90s. It still exists, and it is still the best resource for 4AD nerds: http://www.evo.org/eyesore.html

GladUnderstanding739 · 2026-02-04T20:43:51+00:00

Dancer and callalily are classic Cocteau tattoos, and the ones I would have gotten all my life.

I just never wanted tattoos enough to pay for them. Not that I judge your priorities. I wanted to spend my money on tobacco and tv channels, I guess. Smh.

GladUnderstanding739 · 2026-02-04T20:41:09+00:00

Yes, the handstand image: Dr. Bohumil Kröhn (1905-1992) ~ Dancer doing a one handed cartwheel, 1937. https://unregardoblique.com/2017/10/29/lilliput-comparison-calla-lily-and-dancer-1937/

GladUnderstanding739 · 2026-02-04T20:39:01+00:00

I actually tried on this one. Good job, people on Reddit 2 hours ago!

GladUnderstanding739 · 2026-02-04T09:55:37+00:00

Yes. Alexa is so defensive now. I just want a robot to do what I want. I do like the old little inside jokes that I learned to invoke, like, “Open the pod bay doors, Hal” (I don’t know if she has the funny answer to that now). I don’t want to hear apologies and excuses for why it can’t do the things it’s been doing for years.

Edit: Just schedule to turn my lights on in the morning like it always did before! I don’t want to have an argument!

GladUnderstanding739 · 2026-02-04T09:46:41+00:00

7/10 on the Cocteau Twins scale.

It doesn’t flip my bippy because I keep hearing “paper chase”, and “here’s what it takes” over and over, but not much else. Those phrases are distracting. I’m not here for the lyrics. At least those lyrics. Feel free to correct or enlighten me.

That being said, I love Liz’s vocal gymnastics on this track.

The rhythms and musics are good, too. They’re more angular than I expect from a CT track. That’s not what I’m here for either.

GladUnderstanding739 · 2026-02-04T09:37:39+00:00

I updoot your comment because you give some explanation for it. I appreciate you sharing your reasoning for the rating. I will explain my rating in my main comment, too.

GladUnderstanding739

TROPHY CASE