Crucial Track for September 2, 2025

"Carolyn’s Fingers" by Cocteau Twins

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What artist or band changed your music taste forever? Pick your favorite song of theirs..

I had known of them for a year or more before I ever heard them.. The record store in the student union at Mankato State had an import selection kept in a locked case. Cocteau Twins CDs always seemed to be featured. I liked their name, wondered if there was anything to do with Jean Cocteau, and found their cover art mysterious, but they cost enough more than domestic releases that I didn't feel like I could afford to gamble and lose.

Then, one day watching MTV in my third year, circa 1988 or 1989, I saw and heard "Carolyn's Fingers" -- and I recognized the band name from the import discs. And then I knew.

In the intervening years I think I have every album represented in my collection, though I may not have every EP.

So, yeah, I was already listening to Depeche Mode and Frankie, and The Cure and New Order, so perhaps it was inevitable. But if you ask me, Finding Cocteau Twins kicked open some other sub-genres for me which fundamentally affect what I choose to listen to, today.

No one other band I'm aware of sounds like them, but I've been surprised by how many artists mention them.

I won't try to describe or define their sound. I have always found language completely inadequate and I find myself wanting to make musical noises instead. It's easy enough instead to find them on YouTube or Spotify or Apple Music. Or your library if you're into the legacy media thing.

There is a YouTube documentary called Before Loveless: How Shoegaze Became Shoegaze, which centers around a different group and sound, but it holds Cocteau Twins in a place of honor and gives you an idea of a place and a time.

If you hang around me, you may get sick of me recommending Cocteau Twins. But I expect I always will.

Also, when I mention them, it's a test.