Cocteau Twins - Lullabies to Violaine (1996)

Dark treasure box of heaven. Volume 1 covers their singles/EPs from the beginning all the way to Heaven or Las Vegas. The first volume showcases their early industrial, almost punk sound (akin to Killing Joke, Siouxsie and the Banshees) before it drifts into waves of bliss. Volume 2 contains their later work, some accoustic versions and remixes - it's too delicate for my liking, but Fraser's voice is hard to ignore.

Lullabies to Violaine

The Pastels - Mobile Safari (1995)

Attached to guitars and detached from singing are we, both lady and lad, on this one. The Pastels wrote lush, brilliant, simple pop songs and never got much credit. Part of the Scottish scene they also helped launch Jesus and Mary Chain off the frontman's label.

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?myg2aemmr3l

Mazzy Star - So Tonight That I May See (1993)

Just lovely.

http://www.mediafire.com/?ktjywkjmmnk

The Verve EP (1992)

Making music to drugs to make music taking drugs to make music to take drugs to...

http://www.mediafire.com/?jzw5zgz5nnw

A.R. Kane - "i" (1989)

Thinking about 4AD brought back some memories about that whole music scene. I nearly crapped my pants when I remembered I had this album. This stuff is pretty crazy. It's a potent mixture of dream pop, dub, dance, electronica... The name is A.R.Kane but I swear it comes from the future.

http://www.mediafire.com/?ymykrzkqrwy

Cocteau Twins - Treasure (1984), Heaven or Las Vegas (1990)

Probably the most influential band 4AD ever signed. Listening to them is like a taking a warm bath in a frozen, deserted dream. No idea what language is being sung, but it doesn't matter, the words and noises are alien and heavenly and weird and liquid. Treasure is dark, HoLV is a bit lighter and where I would start if you've never heard them.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=MR92I1XN - Treasure
http://www.mediafire.com/?2yyytmjmywm - Heaven or Las Vegas

This indie darling Marissa Nadler is also channelling their vibe - I would go so as far to say ripping them off. Her voice is a carbon copy, the only difference is she uses real words.

Treasure
Heaven Or Las Vegas

Here We Go Magic (2009)

Don't know much about this band, reminds me of Caribou. First half of the album sets a mellow funky electronic pace but then it gets too weird and droney for me for a few songs and then it ends with a bang good pop song.

http://www.mediafire.com/?w4jwwimntjm

Benoît Pioulard - Précis (2006)

Some French-American dude who uses a pseudonym and sings in English. Kinda like Grizzly Bear in that folky dream pop vein. Easy to dive into the hazy melancholic atmosphere throughout the album but it never feels depressing. Highly recommended for sleep.

http://www.mediafire.com/?oh43vhzmglm