Hard to believe now but it's now 20 years since the Cocteau Twins released their first album. Listening to this reissue now, it's hard to believe that they continue to be such an influence on indie bands with either female vocalists or effects heavy dreampop groups. For 'Garlands' was a recording firmly entrenched in goth music yet somewhere between the rather aimless 'Blood Bitch' and 'Grail Overfloweth' lie indications of the talent that would lead to longevity. 'Wax And Wane' and 'Blind Dumb Deaf' revel in the omnipresent drum machine backing; with a bass that is for once truly driving the music, the group match Siouxsie And The Banshees' 'Juju' album for darkness and intensity. 'Shallow Then Halo' is an quietly unnerving journey of gothic drama whilst 'The Hollow Men's apparent separation of Frazer's vocals from the instruments suggests a primal influence for A.R.Kane. By the time the Peel Sessions are heard the general one-pacedness of the whole affair becomes very wearing with only 'Hearsay Place' offering excitement to dispel the gloom. Clearly though, the group had to develop their creativity much more to achieve long term success.