I found this record in a hallway “free pile” of my college internship, along with a bunch of other 80s new wave / alternative records - and while I probably should have taken all of them, I am glad I at least picked this one. Creepy, shimmering ethereal guitar, heavy, hypnotic bass lines, an early drum machine keeping time, and of course the stunning, harrowing vocals from a 19 year old Elizabeth Fraser. Since this was my first introduction to the band I had zero expectations going in, having just literally found the album in the floor, and was subsequently taken aback by what I found.
This is no where near as thick, layered or dream-poppy / shoe-gazey as their later stuff - it’s dark, gothic, post-punk, albeit a bit repetitive towards the end. I could see how people who were familiar with the band’s later catalogue then going back to this debut may find it lacking, and I think they would grow into their sound in the next couple of albums but I really adore this debut from Cocteau Twins. A foul weather album for sure.