The Pink Opaque
Encyclopedia
The Pink Opaque is a 1986 compilation album composed of tracks originally recorded between 1982 and 1985 by Cocteau Twins
. A joint release by the UK-based 4AD
(the band's label) and the USA-based Relativity Records
, it was the band's the first official domestic USA release.
The Pink Opaque is also significant in 4AD's history, as it was the label's first CD release. As part of the agreement, Relativity pressed a single CD edition for both US and UK release. Therefore, the CD's sleeve contained both the 4AD and Relativity catalog numbers (CAD513CD and EMCD8040, respectively). Relativity also made the album available on cassette and LP in America only.
Cocteau Twins
Cocteau Twins were a Scottish alternative rock band active from 1979 to 1997, known for innovative instrumentation and atmospheric, non-lyrical vocals...
. A joint release by the UK-based 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...
(the band's label) and the USA-based Relativity Records
Relativity Records
Relativity Records, often branded just Relativity, is an American record label founded by Barry Kobrin at the site of his company, Important Record Distribution in metro New York. Early on, as an indie label, Relativity released music in a variety of styles, including dance, jazz, punk, and...
, it was the band's the first official domestic USA release.
History
After signing to 4AD in 1982, Cocteau Twins released three LPs and five EPs between the fall of 1982 and January 1985. Despite having no American distribution, the band was gaining popularity in the USA on college radio, particularly with the 1984 single "Pearly Dewdrops' Drops." The American label Relativity Records reached an agreement to distribute the band's albums on license from 4AD. Rather than reissuing all of the band's releases to that point, it was decided that the compilation The Pink Opaque would be issued instead, as a sampler of the Twins' output up through early 1985.The Pink Opaque is also significant in 4AD's history, as it was the label's first CD release. As part of the agreement, Relativity pressed a single CD edition for both US and UK release. Therefore, the CD's sleeve contained both the 4AD and Relativity catalog numbers (CAD513CD and EMCD8040, respectively). Relativity also made the album available on cassette and LP in America only.
Track listing
- The Spangle Maker (4:40) — from The Spangle MakerThe Spangle MakerThe Spangle Maker is an EP by the Scottish rock group Cocteau Twins, released on 4AD records in April 1984. It was the first recording to be released after Simon Raymonde joined the band...
(12"), 1984 - Millimillenary (3:40) — rare previous release
- Wax and Wane (3:51) — from GarlandsGarlandsFor other uses, see Garland Garlands is the 1982 debut album of Cocteau Twins. It is the only album with original bassist Will Heggie.-Track listing:#"Blood Bitch" – 4:34#"Wax and Wane" – 4:04#"But I'm Not" – 2:45...
(LP), 1982 - Hitherto (3:51) — from Sunburst and SnowblindSunburst and SnowblindSunburst and Snowblind is an EP by the Scottish rock group Cocteau Twins, released on the 4AD label in September 1983. The EP features an extended version of "Sugar Hiccup" from the album Head over Heels, as well as three other tracks...
(EP), 1983 - Pearly-Dewdrops' Drops (4:10) — from Pearly-Dewdrops' Drops (7"), 1984 and The Spangle MakerThe Spangle MakerThe Spangle Maker is an EP by the Scottish rock group Cocteau Twins, released on 4AD records in April 1984. It was the first recording to be released after Simon Raymonde joined the band...
(12"), 1984 - From the Flagstones (3:40) — from Sunburst and SnowblindSunburst and SnowblindSunburst and Snowblind is an EP by the Scottish rock group Cocteau Twins, released on the 4AD label in September 1983. The EP features an extended version of "Sugar Hiccup" from the album Head over Heels, as well as three other tracks...
(EP), 1983 - Aikea-Guinea (3:56) — from Aikea-GuineaAikea-GuineaAikea-Guinea is a 7-inch single and EP by the Scottish rock group Cocteau Twins, released on 4AD records in March 1985. The 7-inch format features two non-album tracks, the EP also features these plus another two....
(EP), 1985 - Lorelei (3:42) — from Treasure (LP), 1984
- Pepper-Tree (3:57) — from The Spangle MakerThe Spangle MakerThe Spangle Maker is an EP by the Scottish rock group Cocteau Twins, released on 4AD records in April 1984. It was the first recording to be released after Simon Raymonde joined the band...
(12"), 1984 - Musette and Drums (4:36) — from Head Over Heels (LP), 1983
Personnel
- Elizabeth FraserElizabeth FraserElizabeth Davidson Fraser is a Scottish singer best known as the vocalist for the pioneer alternative rock group Cocteau Twins...
sings and 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...
plays guitar on all tracks. - Bass guitar is played by Will Heggie on track 3; by Guthrie on tracks 4, 6 and 10; and by Simon Raymonde on all other tracks.
- Like all Cocteau Twins releases, percussion is handled by a drum machine.
- The band is credited as producer on all tracks, except for "Wax and Wane," where Ivo Watts-RussellIvo Watts-RussellIvo 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....
is credited as co-producer.