This Mortal Coil
Gothic Rock
England
Disbanded
This Mortal Coil was a gothic collective or super-group inspired by Ivo Watts-Russell, the founder of the famous gothic label 4AD Records. The name is an allusion to Hamlet's famous "to be or not to be" soliloquy from Shakespeare.
Musically, the songs on This Mortal Coil albums are largely covers from some of Watts-Russell's favorite artists from the 1970's, performed by members of 4AD bands and other musicians with connections to the label. Notable performers include members from Cocteau Twins, Dead Can Dance, and The Breeders. The albums are quintessential 4AD material, with atmospheric instrumentation, airy vocals and slowly meandering melodies.
Darktronica favorites are "Song To The Siren," "The Lacemaker," "Tarantula," and "With Tomorrow."
Members
Ivo Watts-Russell - production, keyboards
John Fryer - production
various guests
This Mortal Coil Discography
It'll End In Tears
(1984, 4AD)
1. Kangaroo
2. Song To The Siren
3. Holocaust
4. Fyt
5. Fond Affections
6. The Last Ray
7. Another Day
8. Waves Become Wings
9. Barramundi
10. Dreams Made Flesh
11. Not Me
12. A Single Wish
13. It'll End In Tears
Filigree & Shadow
(1986, 4AD)
1. Velvet Belly
2. The Jeweller
3. Ivy And Neet
4. Meniscus
5. Tears
6. Tarantula
7. My Father
8. Come Here My Love
9. At First, And Then
10. Strength Of Strings
11. Morning Glory
12. Inch-Blue
13. I Want To Live
14. Mama K (1)
15. Filigree & Shadow
16. Firebrothers
17. Thaïs (1)
18. I Must Have Been Blind
19. A Heart Of Glass
20. Alone
21. Mama K (2)
22. The Horizon Bleeds And Sucks Its Thumb
23. Drugs
24. Red Rain
25. Thaïs (2)
Blood
(1991, 4AD)
1. The Lacemaker
2. Mr. Somewhere
3. Andialu
4. With Tomorrow
5. Loose Joints
6. You And Your Sister
7. Nature's Way
8. I Come And Stand At Every Door
9. Bitter
10. Baby Ray Baby
11. Several Times
12. The Lacemaker II
13. Late Night
14. Ruddy And Wretched
15. Help Me Lift You Up
16. Carolyn's Song
17. D.D. And E
18. Till I Gain Control Again
19. Dreams Are Like Water
20. I Am The Cosmos
21. (Nothing But) Blood
Last updated August 15, 2007.
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