Liz Fraser being a total goddess, as usual - Black Milk analysis

[@iximusic]

Thanks so much for watching my Massive Attack videos! If you're enjoying them, could you do me a favor and follow me on Patreon (for free)? I'm trying to grow my community over there! www.patreon.com/iximusic

[@aquaticborealis4877]

Elizabeth Fraser is one of my all time favourite female vocalists. Her work with Cocteau Twins and This Mortal Coil is incredible. She sang beautifully with Jeff Buckley as well.

[@BurDeng-br2bq]

You always nail those vocal emulations beautifully every single time. I don’t think you’re aware of just how well you can actually sing.

[@Danny-wv8ec]

oh man Liz is just amazing on Mezzanine, i bought this album when i was like 15 in the late 90s and was totally mesmerized, Group 4 is awesome too. i just start listening to the Cocteau Twins last year.

[@creolerican]

You are such a Talent! NOBODY breaks down the vocals, harmonies, and beats better than...YOU! Hashtag: It's Gold Jerry! It's Gold!

[@Mr.Mezzanine]

Just discovered your amazing channel through your Mezzanine reaction videos!! It is my favorite album ever of all time, and it fills my heart with joy seeing people discover this amazing album. I discovered Massive Attack in high school when I was 15 in 2002 and had no idea some of the songs I heard on movies and shows were tracks by Massive Attack. So I dove into Mezzanine headfirst and I've been enamored ever since! Massive Attack is my favorite band ever, too, so I love them getting adoration years later and seeing so many folks just fall in love like I did, too! Sidenote: to echo others in the comments, Black Milk is absolutely an underrated track in this album. It is such a sexyyyyy song, ugh! Much love to you and your channel!

[@aldo34]

Black Milk is such a fantastic underrated gem from Mezanine. Plus, Liz is the GOAT on vocal melodies. I can't believe someone with your immaculate taste hasn't listened to the Cocteau Twins yet. I'd maybe start from 'Heaven or Las Vegas', which is their most complete album I would suggest. My personal favourite is 'Blue Bell Knoll', which is where I totally fell in love with them. 'Treasure' is also good, but very different and much more reminiscent of the late 80's / early 90's UK indie and goth scenes.

[@aldo34]

Don't underestimate just how good the Cocteau Twins music and production is too - shout out to Robin Guthrie and Simon Raymonde. Class acts.

[@iximusic]

I have heard Blue Bell Knoll and I'm obsessed with it!

[@AlexBaldivino96]

Sure, “Angel” and “Teardrop” are the main tracks of the album, but “Black Milk” is just so unique in its own way that it still is one of my favorite songs in the track list.

[@TwelveinchChewbacca]

The 1-2 punch of Tiny Dynamite/Echoes and Victorialand is where the Twins shed much of the excess gothy angst and caffeine jitters. Tiny Dynamite/Echoes is, song-for-song, their best, fight me. But Victorialand is where they put the entire pastoral UK countryside into one album. That was my entry point for Cocteau Twins. Blue Bell was all over college radio for a year but that and Heaven or Las Vegas, I get a contact high from the cocaine all over the production of those albums. Liz was a new mother during Heaven, and was clean, but the difference from those albums and the mid-80s ones is pretty stark.

[@Mannahnin]

​@@iximusicHeaven or Las Vegas is incredible. I'm another latecomer to it.

[@zughoytim]

This song is like a warm bath - Mezzanine is one of those perfect albums! Never gets old, unlike me ... ;-)

[@Quarker]

I just feel like being slowly bathed in black ink itself - this song is so visceral to me

[@simoningate2056]

Treasure has always been my favourite - bought it the day it was released - went home and fell asleep to the first side. Robert Smith listened to it when getting ready for his wedding.

[@FOIL_FRESH]

well this was a surprise. i usually put your videos then dive into youtube reconnecting with music from when i was in high school. i've listened to mezzanine countless times since downloading the whole thing through whatever the app was at the time (kazzaa?? haha) and have always liked these darker, colder, jazzy soul vibes. listening to this video, i felt like i have heard liz frazer before somewhere (outside of massive attack). whats the word for uncovering some new info but you've known it the entire time? after a little dig in her discography, she's on another track i've listened to a thousand times (i've heard it from the cruel intentions soundtrack) "this love" by craig armstrong. never knew it was the same singer. absolutely angelic voice. btw i love your vids. keep up the good work!

[@TwelveinchChewbacca]

My friend, circa 1987: "You need to hear this album." Me: " 'Victorialand"? Who are the Cocteau Twins?" That 45 minutes changed my life. I owe you a lot, Noel, for making me sit down and shut up. I actually found Mezzanine searching for Liz Fraser songs on Napster. Its amazing how your life changes by little accidents and incidental moments.

[@1967AJB]

I adore listing to you break down tracks that you obviously love, your skill shines through, I only wish I had the language to talk to you about it!

[@leveleyed]

wow... 😳 this is uncanny! *literally* every band/artist in your entire video history on YT is in my all-time top artists/albums playlist. ❤️

[@juancruzciacci1262]

THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR DOING THIS SONG. I'm only starting to watch. I hope you also notice how it is neither on G minor nor F# minor, but rather in between both!

[@ryn0009]

Yesssss black milk is one of my favs from this perfect album. Always love your breakdown videos especially being a producer myself.

[@FramesGone]

Finally saw them live in June, and they had Liz with them on tour. This song was so freaking haunting, when paired with the massive screen showing pictures of arms factories and wars they had playing. The concert was probably one of the best ive ever been to.

[@cyclonasaurusrex1525]

@@FramesGone No, i’m not remotely jealous. Why would you think that?

[@FramesGone]

@@cyclonasaurusrex1525 😂😂😂 Tbf I was originally supposed to have experienced them in 2020, but we all know how that went lmao. Definitely worth the wait tho.

[@cyclonasaurusrex1525]

@@FramesGone Good for you! I’ve resigned myself to never getting that opportunity, but then again I felt the same about Portishead-and then got to see them!

[@Mannahnin]

The Mezzanine 20th anniversary was the greatest show I've ever seen; finally topped NIN in 2000 for The Fragile with A Perfect Circle opening.

[@Mannahnin]

So happy to hear Liz is touring with them again. Just got tickets for October.

[@orendungan3455]

I'm probz not the only one here who 'discovered' MA through the power of 'Teardrop'. I was way, way, way late to the party, but Mezzanine is now one of my favorite albums, period, so I'm sort of making up for lost time. You could just drop the needle anywhere and let it play., but Black Milk is a high point on an album made of high ground Ha ha. Drop the needle. Old comes for us all, but finding music new to us keeps the mind from decaying alongside the body. Group Four has one of my favorite outros of all time, and Liz just sets that deep guitar part on fire.

[@peterlip8]

OK, you keep reminding me how brilliant this album was - is. I used to own it on CD, and it was on high rotation back in the day. I thought I ripped it when I was cleaning out my CDs, and iTunes thinks I did, but the digital copy is gone!! Looks like I'm going to have to buy it again.

[@CrowdContr0l]

This was a popular song in very late 90s/early 2000’s “come down” rooms with the cuddle puddles and free water. It’s too bad many of you weren’t around for such a lovely time in history.

[@slippycam]

Have you checked out her new colab with one of the Massive Attack guys “Sun’s Signature”? It’s gorgeous.

[@GabinThorréeBoine]

Hello, my name's Gabin, I'm French. I'm 17 and I play synthesizer on my own for 10 years. I love Nine Inch Nails and I began to cover several songs like Reptile or The Day The World Went Away... I've watched a lot of your musical analysis videos which really helped me to understand the songs, their meanning and their atmosphere. Also, I think that I've often the same point of view. My disability really impacts my motor skills so I can't use all my fingers and I must adapt some chords, which is disappointing.... Anyway, you've really helped me finding some chords, especially with Hurt, Another Version of the Truth and A Warm Place... I wanted to thank you for your explanations. You really seam attached to music as I am and I think that's really important... Thank you, a lot !

[@iximusic]

Gabin, that's great! I'm so glad to hear that.

[@Bennymoth]

Quality breakdown and amazing song. 🙌

[@CrowdContr0l]

“Black Milk” is the best Massive Attack song. Fight me.

[@JAYDUBYAH29]

You’re the best. Thanks for reminding me of this less prominent masterpiece from Mezzanine!

[@jujucinema4402]

Not a lot of people have reacted/reviewed this song... this is in my top 5 best crafted songs ever from all genres of music. The melody is very haunting & the vocal performance out of this world. Liz Fraser reaches higher grounds of beauty and its carried by a dark groove. Beauty & the Beast all in the same track. Very Massive Attack-esque.

[@partyboytimes]

While there are more popular mainstream songs on thid album, Black Milk has always been my favorite from this album. I love how detached her tone is for the song, but how intimately sung it is. It feels like she's right next to your ear. She isnt suggesting what these things are, what you are to her, what she is to everyone else. She's telling you how it is, and you're in no position to object.

[@ata5855]

NO ONE does melody like Liz! Carolyn's Fingers, Iceblink Luck (all of Heaven or Las Vegas album, really), Aikea-Guinea are some standouts. Definitely some rewarding surprises waiting for you in the catalog of Cocteau Twins! Incidentally, Beth Gibbons cited them as an influence during her Portishead years.

[@MortiePL]

Hey Ixi! I just discovered your channel, love the analysis and the Mezzanine is one of the greatest albums ever created as a whole package, every single song is perfect but also works in tandem with the others. Would you be willing to make some videos about Juno Reactor? Mainly Ben Watkins greatest hits like Navras, Mona Lisa Overdrive (from Matrix) and Pistolero (GOA Trance classic!) Sending good vibes, cheers!

[@hazybrain7]

As others have said the main sample is from Manfred Mann's Earth Band - 'Tribute' about 15 seconds in - Black Milk couldn't exist without this central sample - shocking ! Still a super track though. especially Frazer's vox..

[@GuyProcter]

Love your videos. Have you done anything off Leftfield’s Leftism? I think that a really interesting, richly musical record.

[@NKO_lindo]

this song is so scooby doo to me, the beggining with those voices reminds me of such a specific scene in a scooby doo game lol, its my favorite song of the album

[@ylenolsreppeptgs]

It's worth checking out the sampled song: "Tribute" by Manfred Mann's Earth Band. They deserve a lot of credit for the composition. I much prefer "Black Milk", though.

[@milancelisac]

I wanna bet the Cocteau Twins tracks you’ll absolutely love are: Pepper-Tree, Spangle Maker, Pandora, A Kissed Out Red Floatboat, The Itchy Glowbo Blow, I Wear Your Ring, Theft and Wandering Around Lost, Serpentskirt and Alice.

[@nicktrousers]

Yeah i love her voice on the Cocteau twins albums. Primitive heart Ella megalst burls... You name it...

[@aldo34]

Itchy Glowbo Blow, Cico Buff, Blue Bell Knoll, 50 50 Clown...god, so good. There's a vocal bit near the end of 'I Wear Your Ring' which is just SO fantastic that it brings me to tears every time. Every...single...time.

[@nicktrousers]

@@aldo34 exactly!!

[@Stumpyblue]

@@nicktrousersSong to the the Siren from This Mortal Coil collab was also a great song that seems to be largely forgotten now

[@RW-cp8gp]

I love watching you fall in love with music and then break it down, for me. Any chance you might pull a Frankie Simon and transcribe a Massive Attack song to piano?

[@Dave-el6rh]

Thank you.Really.Thank you.

[@lancerall1411]

I feel like this channel needs some Kojii Kondo next 🔥🔥

[@ltandrepants]

that vinyl record grab is baddass too!

[@cyclonasaurusrex1525]

Does anybody else hear the intro of Cannonball Adderly’s version of “Autumn Leaves” in the bass line ostinato of “Black Milk”???

[@iximusic]

Someone else mentioned that bass line was sampled from Autumn Leaves!

[@davidellis5141]

Heaven Or Las Vegas ? 🎰

[@soysaucehairdye7869]

I love all of her albums with Cocteau Twins. It would have been awesome if Will Heggie did a couple more albums with her. His basslines with Lowlife are some of the best of the 80s.

[@stevecarter8810]

Commenting for the algorithm. Just watching you listen shows me into the music, then your analysis is interesting to articulate what's happening.

[@IrenESorius]

✨🔥🥰🔥✨

[@GeorgeALozano]

One of the best Massive Attack songs!!!

[@aleclamb-venecia4838]

Finally❤

[@RJ-qo6qj]

And, maybe try "Girl I Love You" from Heligoland.

[@georgewhite1972]

This whole track samples a decent chunk of the Manfred Mann song Tribute, including the bass line and sparkly keys. You should give it a listen.

[@zyzhou3060]

The bass line is also sampled from Autumn Leaves by Cannonball Adderley.

[@iximusic]

I will!

[@georgewhite1972]

This is such a sexy song

[@NicholasBryantBonzaiSequoias]

'tis like Portishead, but just a little nicer.. ;)

[@JoseSanchez-lk1ic]

Black Melt is my favorite version of this track. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rambq4aKi917n7sfeature=shared

[@fromchomleystreet]

Liz Frazer is an incredible singer, but she also might just be patient zero in an epidemic of breathy girl vocals that has swept the world in the decades since her emergence.

[@dreykthepirate2755]

Hey, will we finally see your reactions to another Aphex Twin album? ❤️

[@iximusic]

Seems to be a popular request!

[@dreykthepirate2755]

Druqks though was a perfect choice because it's totally unpredictable album 😂 Personally I would love to see your facial expressions while hearing Select Ambient works II 😛 Cheers from Athens ❤️

[@suppaclassic90]

super video, I am a fan of your explanations since you experience listening Aphex twin druqQs now I need to listen mezzanine ! cheers PS : your voice in on the left, u should record in mono IMO

[@ashtaka2799]

[@johnre5785]

If you want to listen to the Cocteau Twins…. Take Wax and Wane with a very young Elizabeth…. kzbin.info/www/bejne/l520hqyXrseNndEsi=q9urKz09On-Ih2oj … It blew my mind when I first heard it in early 80’s…. It came from a different planet and what a voice….

[@RdLu]

A huge fan of Cocteau Twins here❤