Cocteau Twins – Heaven or Las Vegas (1990)
[Album 613/1001]
If you had to choose: Heaven or Las Vegas?
Saints vs. Sin City?
I suppose if you consulted Billy Joel, due to the perceived probability of more laughter/fun, he’d choose the latter.
Given the conjunction in this Cocteau Twins album title, I was quite curious as to what they might choose.
Is it Heaven or Las Vegas?
It looked like the answer would be revealed on track 5 (the title track).
Are they siding with the Saints? Or was Billy Joel right all along?
It turns out, after many listens…I’m absolutely no closer to solving the riddle.
I recognize a search engine could likely produce the lyrics (and almost certainly ruin the fun) but I recommend playing the video below at 0:45.
Bonne chance!
.
“But is it Heaven or Las Vegas…
(beautifully sung yet completely undecipherable response?!)”
.
Perhaps it’s an unsolvable mystery?
After a while, I stopped worrying about what vocalist Elizabeth Fraser was singing about and started to shift my attention to how she was singing it.
Through that perspective, I’m quite partial to her delivery, particularly her upper register work (as in the Cherry-coloured funk chorus).
Given her pleasant voice, at first, I found it strange that her vocals weren’t more prominent in the mix.
But it’s now starting to feel like that’s what Cocteau Twins had in mind: it’s all about the ambiance, the overall experience.
With Heaven or Las Vegas, it’s somewhat difficult to describe exactly what it’s like, but it’s a positive experience.
Not unlike how some might describe Heaven, or even Las Vegas!
.
Verbalize the Positive
I picked up this CD in Napanee at a terrific record store named, “It’s Mostly Harmless.”
There’s an increased-faith-in-humanity-story behind the purchase (spoiler: I was really impressed with the owner) that I’d like to share soon!
1001albumsin10years 
Love the Cocteau Twins, and have all their material. This album is actually a pretty good entry point but all their albums are worthwhile if you are open to exploring a different kind of beauty. As you clearly were, Geoff. Nice work.
My thanks Bruce – I believe at one point you’d said in a post, (paraphrased, less articulately be me) “if the tourist was your favourite song from OK Computer, Cocteau Twins album ______ might appeal”
The tourist might not be my favourite from OK Computer (but OK Computer was my #3 when we did our Top 15s a few years ago!) and I think it’s also an apt connection here – dreamy instrumentation with beautiful vocals that I don’t always understand!
Love this album!
It is lovely!
I tend not to pay attention to Cocteau Twins lyrics and just enjoy the sound (some of their work abandoned recognizable language altogether) though “Is it Heaven or Las Vegas?” I agree is a powerful lyric/question. Elizabeth Fraser has a beautiful, heavenly vocal.
I haven’t heard their other 1001 album yet (Treasure) – but I think I’ll go with that approach of enjoying the sound. I don’t suppose I’ll find it too difficult to enjoy a beautiful heavenly vocal!
Had no idea until recently that this band was Scottish… from the Blade Runner-esque Grangemouth! There’s been a new TV series called Rip It Up on the BBC charting the history of Scottish pop/rock. Quite entertaining if you’re able to watch it in Canada.
I’m intrigued – by both the sounds of the series and Grangemouth. I immediately looked up the town & was delighted to learn that its residents are known as Portonians!
I didn’t even know that!
I see this band’s CDs all the time and never grab one. Maybe I should?
Interesting they’ve equated Las Vegas and Hell. Sounds to me like they don’t like Las Vegas very much.
I look forward to your extra story… when I read Mostly Harmless, I thought of Douglas Adams (of course).
And when my wonderful wife & I visited Vegas, I’d say our time there was far from Hellish!
Of course, what happened there stayed there… right? Right!