From my perspective there were
three definitive musical influences on what is now called shoegaze, I’ll touch on the other two sometime later but for now I want to focus on the first (and probably the largest) of these.
I am, of course, referring to the existence of a somewhat overlooked but monumentally influential Scottish band named
Cocteau Twins. As an adherent of the same dream pop scene that spawned seminal acts like the Cure and Siouxsie and the Banshees, Cocteau Twins were responsible for delivering equal components of ethereal ambience and accessible pop sensibilities that influenced everyone from My Bloody Valentine to Medicine. Indeed, Elizabeth Fraser’s vocals served as a model for up-and-coming shoegaze vocalists everywhere to emulate. Albums which explore this particular influence in depth include magnum opuses such as
Loveless,
Souvlaki, and
Spooky.
Unquestionably their strongest work, Cocteau Twins’ 1984 offering
Treasure explored dynamic themes in songwriting all while maintaining Fraser’s unique vocal phrasing and delivery. Truly an album way ahead of its time,
Treasure still serves as a model for modern shoegaze bands to imitate. And though it predated the existence of the term “shoegaze” by some five years or so, it wouldn’t look out of place next to other epochs of that age.
Perhaps three of the most powerful tracks open
Treasure, and for its era it resounds as an uncharacteristically diverse album, employing the heavy use of ebbing acoustic and electric guitars and synth washes to fill out passages. The jazzy key lines and driving kick drum complement each other nicely on many tracks, and while it’s evident that
Treasure still entrenches itself in the mire of 1980s production techniques, the tin-can drum machine actually sounds
good alongside Robin Guthrie’s piercing guitar. And to close the album, the sweeping string arrangements and soft choral vocals produce a memorable and evocative effect upon the listener, ensuring Cocteau Twins’ existence in the annals of music history.
While this album may be one of my favorite dream pop albums of all time, it isn’t just a personal influence.
Treasure served and still serves as an enormous influence on the female-dominated landscape of non-lyrical vocals, and if anyone has ever topped Elizabeth Fraser’s performance on this record (shoegaze or no), I haven’t heard it. Check it.
As a sidenote that might be one of my favorite record covers ever. It's just so emblematic of the music it represents.