“I had known Robin and Liz for a while through Ivo, and travelled around with all 4AD people to see shows all over Britain. Then while working in an 8-track studio in Camden, I invited Robin and Liz over to make use of the studio while the boss was off on holiday. One thing very naturally led to another and Robin and I wrote a song together, which was released as ‘Millimillenary’ on The Pink Opaque. After, I went back to writing music at home, until I got a call from Robin and Liz asking if I fancied going to Scotland for a week to write some songs. The rest, as they say, is history…” Simon Raymonde
The Pink Opaque
- November 1985
- 4AD / Relativity
- CAD 513
- 40 min, 39 sec
Track listing
- The Spangle Maker
- Millimillenary
- Wax and Wane
- Hitherto
- Pearly-Dewdrops’ Drops
- From the Flagstones
- Aikea-Guinea
- Lorelei
- Pepper-Tree
- Musette and Drums
Formats
- Vinyl
- Cassette
- CD
- Digital
Performers
Release notes
- “Wax and Wane” is re-mixed from the album Garlands, recorded in spring 1982, when Cocteau Twins comprised Robin Guthrie, Elizabeth Fraser, and Will Heggie.
- By the summer of 1983, Heggie had departed and material was produced for the subsequent release, Sunburst and Snowblind, from which “Hitherto” and “From the Flagstones” are taken.
- Simon Raymonde joined Cocteau Twins in late 1983 and new material included “Millimillenary,” “The Spangle Maker,” “Pearly-Dewdrops’ Drops,” and “Pepper-Tree,” which were released as a 12” EP, The Spangle Maker. “Millimillenary,” appeared on an NME compilation tape.
- “Lorelei” was recorded in the summer of 1984 for the album Treasure.
- “Aikea-Guinea” produced for 7” and 12” EP release in early 1985.
- All songs produced by Cocteau Twins except “Wax and Wane,” Cocteau Twins/Ivo.
- Art direction and sleeve design by 23 Envelope.
- The Pink Opaque was released by 4AD as a special retrospective to coincide with the band’s first US-based label and distribution contract with Relativity.
- It was the first Cocteau Twins album to be released domestically in the USA.
- This was the first 4AD album to be pressed in the Compact Disc (CD) format.
- “Millimillenary” was performed live during 1984/85.
- “Millimillenary” was the first song Simon Raymonde recorded with Robin Guthrie and Elizabeth Fraser.
Listen and buy online
Videos
Press
- “Garlands of Words”
- RockPool | 07-Oct 1985