This Mortal Coil
This Mortal Coil | |
---|---|
Origin | United Kingdom |
Genres | Dream pop,[1] gothic rock,[2] ethereal wave, experimental |
Years active | 1983–1991 |
Labels | 4AD |
Past members | Ivo Watts-Russell John Fryer |
This Mortal Coil was a music collective led by Ivo Watts-Russell, founder of the British record label 4AD.[3] Although Watts-Russell and John Fryer were technically the only two official members, the band's recorded output featured a large rotating cast of supporting artists, many of whom were otherwise associated with 4AD, including members of Cocteau Twins, Colourbox, and Dead Can Dance.[4] The project became known for its gothic, dream pop sound, and released three full albums beginning in 1984 with 'It'll End in Tears.[5]
Background
Watts-Russell had founded 4AD in 1980, and the label established itself as one of the key labels in the British post-punk movement. Following several releases, Watts-Russell developed the idea of collaborating under the name This Mortal Coil. The name is taken from the Monty Python's Flying Circus "Dead Parrot sketch",[6] which in turn is a quote from Shakespeare's Hamlet ("... what dreams may come, when we have shuffled off this mortal coil...").
Quoting the 4AD website
This Mortal Coil was not a band, but a unique collaboration of musicians recording in various permutations, the brainchild of 4AD kingpin Ivo Watts-Russell. The idea was to allow artists the creative freedom to record material outside of the realm of what was expected of them; it also created the opportunity for innovative cover versions of songs personal to Ivo.
One of the label's earliest signings was Modern English. In 1983, Watts-Russell suggested that the band re-record two of its earliest songs, "Sixteen Days" and "Gathering Dust," as a medley. At the time, the band was closing its set with this medley, and Watts-Russell felt it was strong enough to warrant a re-recording. When the band rebuffed the idea, Watts-Russell decided to assemble a group of musicians to record the medley: Elizabeth Fraser and Robin Guthrie of Cocteau Twins; Gordon Sharp of Cindytalk; and a few members of Modern English. An EP, Sixteen Days/Gathering Dust, resulted from these sessions.
Recorded as a B-side for the EP was a cover of Tim Buckley's "Song to the Siren", performed by Fraser and Guthrie alone. Pleased with the results, Watts-Russell decided to make this the A-side of the 7" single version of the EP, and the song quickly became an underground hit, leading Watts-Russell to pursue recording a full album under the This Mortal Coil moniker, 1984's It'll End in Tears.
In June 1998 Watts-Russell began releasing albums in a similar vein to his TMC projects, under the name The Hope Blister.[7]
Discography
Studio albums
- It'll End in Tears (CAD 411 - October 1984)
- Filigree & Shadow (DAD 609 - September 1986)
- Blood (DAD 1005 - April 1991)
Compilations
- Dust & Guitars (TAD 3X23CDJ - August 2012)
Boxsets
- 1983-1991 (Warner Bros 45135 - March 1993)
- This Mortal Coil (TMCBOX1 - November 2011)[7]
Singles and EPs
- "Sixteen Days/Gathering Dust" EP (AD 310 - September 1983)
- "Kangaroo"/"It'll End in Tears" EP (AD 410 - August 1984)
- "Come Here My Love"/"Drugs" (limited 10" single release - BAD 608 - September 1986)[7]
Contributions
- Acid, Bitter & Sad on Lonely Is An Eyesore (CAD703 - 4AD compilation album, 1987)
The Hope Blister
- ...Smile's OK (July 1998)
- Underarms (April 1999)
- Underarms and Sideways (January 2006)[7]
References
- ^ Steve Huey. "This Mortal Coil | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 2016-06-27.
- ^ "This Mortal Coil - Discography - Album of The Year". M.albumoftheyear.org. Retrieved 2016-06-27.
- ^ "This Mortal Coil". 4AD.com. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
- ^ Huey, Steve. "This Mortal Coil". AllMusic. Retrieved 2012-04-27.
- ^ Steve Huey. "This Mortal Coil | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 2016-06-27.
- ^ Morning Becomes Eclectic interview with Ivo Watts-Russell March 13, 1998
- ^ a b c d Strong, Martin C. (2000). The Great Rock Discography (5th ed.). Edinburgh: Mojo Books. pp. 987–988. ISBN 1-84195-017-3.