Cocteau Twins, Garlands (CD)

Cocteau Twins obviously went on to acclaim for their beautiful atmospheric albums. Their debut Garlands (1982) gave some hints of the atmospherics that would come later, but sounded as much like Joy Division as any of their famous later records. Elizabeth Fraser could already sing, but her voice is fairly dry here, and the use of effects is pretty minimal. I do like any record with an early-80s chorus on the bass, so Garlands pushes a favorite personal button, and some of the songs are memorable. The CD reissue is competently mastered but cheaply packaged.