Picking the "best" Raincoats is more an intellectual exercise
than it is a work of thoughtful criticism. So, to make it easy for the
benighted, all three studio releases are absolutely essential. Their live
cassette is wonderful, but I wouldn't start there. Better yet, start with
their debut, a soaring, daring, avant-garde-influenced folk-punk record.
Don't let the words "avant-garde" scare you off; the Raincoats
are not harsh or unapproachable. In fact, this music, even at its most
dissonant, is stunning and captivating. There's a great cover of the Kinks'
"Lola" that's so skewed and obtuse, I'm sure Ray Davies never
dreamed it could sound this way. Reissued by Geffen on CD with extra tracks
in 1995.
(by John Dougan, All
Music Guide)
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