Four-Calendar Cafe (1993) - Cocteau Twins

Released on October 18, 1993, Four-Calendar Café is the seventh studio album by the Scottish band Cocteau Twins. This album marked their first release after departing from their long-time label, 4AD, and signing with Fontana Records.

During the early 1990s, the band faced significant personal challenges. Vocalist Elizabeth Fraser and guitarist Robin Guthrie ended their 13-year relationship in 1993. Around the same time, Guthrie sought rehabilitation for substance abuse, and Fraser underwent psychotherapy. These experiences deeply influenced the album's content, leading to more direct and personal lyrics compared to their previous work.

Four-Calendar Café is noted for its more accessible and pop-oriented sound. Fraser's vocals are clearer and more intelligible, a departure from the band's earlier style where lyrics were often obscured. Guthrie consciously reduced the layers of guitar and reverb, aiming for a more focused and substantial sound. This shift resulted in a collection of songs that, while retaining the band's ethereal quality, are more grounded and direct. 

Tracklist:

  1. Know Who You Are at Every Age
  2. Evangeline
  3. Bluebeard
  4. Theft, and Wandering Around Lost
  5. Oil of Angels
  6. Squeeze-Wax
  7. My Truth
  8. Essence
  9. Summerhead
  10. Pur

The album produced two singles: "Evangeline," released in September 1993, and "Bluebeard," released in February 1994. To promote "Bluebeard," the band made their debut American television appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

Upon its release, Four-Calendar Café received generally positive reviews. Critics praised its unique blend of genres and the seamless integration of Gregorian chants with modern rhythms. The album was noted for redefining the possibilities of popular music by adding such chants, with some considering it entrancing and provocative. However, some critics felt that once the novelty wore off, the underlying rhythms exhibited a sameness that could be irritating. 

The album debuted at number thirteen on the UK Albums Chart and at number seventy-eight on the US Billboard 200, spending three weeks on each chart. By 1996, it had sold 146,000 copies in the United States. 

Over time, Four-Calendar Café has been re-evaluated by fans and critics alike. Bassist Simon Raymonde later spoke highly of the album, suggesting that its departure from their earlier style may have led to initial underappreciation. He believed that, in time, listeners would recognize its beauty and significance within the band's discography. 

For those interested in exploring a more personal and accessible side of the Cocteau Twins, Four-Calendar Café offers a compelling listening experience that reflects the band's evolution during a pivotal time in their career.

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