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Blue Bell Knoll is the fifth studio album by Scottish alternative rock band Cocteau Twins, released on 19 September 1988 by 4AD. This was the band's first album to receive major-label distribution in the United States, as it was originally licensed by Capitol Records from 4AD for North American release. After a period of being out of print while 4AD reclaimed the American distribution rights for their back catalogue, the album (along with much of the band's 4AD material) was remastered by guitarist Robin Guthrie and reissued in 2003. Vocalist Elizabeth Fraser named the album after a peak in southern Utah called Bluebell Knoll.[1][2]

Blue Bell Knoll
Studio album by Cocteau Twins
Released	19 September 1988
Genre	Dream pop ethereal wave
Length	35:17
Label	4AD
Producer	Cocteau Twins
Cocteau Twins chronology
The Moon and the Melodies (1986) Blue Bell Knoll (1988) Heaven or Las Vegas (1990)

Upon the album's release, it was voted as Album of the Week by Dutch radio broadcaster Omroepvereniging VARA.[3]

In 2014, the album was repressed on 180g vinyl using new high definition masters.[4]

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[5]
Drowned in Sound	10/10[6]
The Great Rock Discography	7/10[7]
Orlando Sentinel	[8]
Pitchfork	8.3/10[9]
Record Mirror	[10]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide	[11]
Spin Alternative Record Guide	6/10[12]
The Village Voice	C+[13]

In a contemporary review of Blue Bell Knoll, Victoria Thieberger of The Age appraised it as "everything that atmospheric music should be and usually isn't".[14] NME also viewed Blue Bell Knoll positively, placing it at number 33 for Albums of the Year 1988.[15] A less favourable response came from Robert Christgau, who wrote that "these faeries are in the aura business" and asked "what are they doing on the alternative rock charts? Ever hear the one about being so open-minded that when you lay down to sleep your brains fall out?"[13]

AllMusic critic Ned Raggett retrospectively wrote that "Blue Bell Knoll has some striking moments that are pure Cocteaus at their best", citing the opening track "Blue Bell Knoll", "For Phoebe Still a Baby" and the U.S. single "Carolyn's Fingers" as highlights, before suggesting that "things slowly but surely slide back a bit" afterwards.[5] Gen Williams of Drowned in Sound disagreed, saying in her 2002 review that "from start to finish, it's a record that gleams with grace and emotion; chiming, mournful guitars and layered tapestry of sounds evoke a vast array of imagery".[6] Consequence of Sound's Leni Comaratta wrote that the album, "with its rich and ambitious expressiveness, returns the band to its dream pop roots in the ether."[16] Pitchfork listed Blue Bell Knoll as the 81st best album of the 1980s, describing it as a return to the band's ethereal style explored on Treasure.[17]

Track listing

Personnel

• Elizabeth Fraser – vocals
• Robin Guthrie – guitar
• Simon Raymonde – bass guitar

Charts

Chart performance for Blue Bell Knoll

Chart (1988)	Peak position
UK Albums (OCC)[18]	15
US Billboard 200[19]	109

References

External links

• Blue Bell Knoll lyric interpretations

На других языках

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- [en] Blue Bell Knoll

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[ru] Blue Bell Knoll

Blue Bell Knoll — пятый студийный альбом шотландской группы Cocteau Twins, вышедший 19 сентября 1988 года. Альбом достиг позиции № 15 в британском чарте UK Albums Chart, став третьим для группы диском попавшим в UK Top-40 album, где находился 4 недели[9].

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