The Hauntingly Beautiful Music of This Mortal Coil

There are few artists like This Mortal Coil, who have left such an indelible mark on the music industry. The band was a musical project formed by Ivo Watts-Russell, founder of the iconic record label, 4AD. The group was known for their ethereal, dream-like music, that was hauntingly beautiful. This Mortal Coil was active from the early 80s to the mid-90s, and during that time, they released three studio albums. In this blog post, we will dive into the musical biography of This Mortal Coil, exploring their beginnings, their most famous albums, their most famous songs, as well as their musical style and influences.

Beginnings: This Mortal Coil was formed in the early 80s, in the UK. The group was a musical project that was curated by Ivo Watts-Russell, and several artists on the 4AD label joined him. One of the things that made This Mortal Coil unique was their use of multiple vocalists, creating a choral sound that was unlike anything else at the time. Moreover, the band was known for their use of unconventional instruments and textures, which only added to the otherworldly feel of their music.

Most Famous Albums: This Mortal Coil released three studio albums during their time together. Their first album, It'll End In Tears, was released in 1984, and is widely regarded as their best work. The album is a collection of cover songs, and it was both critically acclaimed and commercially successful. In 1986 they followed up with Filigree And Shadow, which was an even more ambitious project. The album was a double LP that was filled with original songs, and it received positive reviews, although it was not as successful as their debut. Their final album, Blood, was released in 1991, and it was a departure from their earlier work. The album was darker and moodier, but it was still well received by critics.

Most Famous Songs: This Mortal Coil was known for their ethereal sound, and there are a few tracks that stand out as their most famous songs. One of their most well-known songs is Song to the Siren, which was originally written by Tim Buckley. The band's cover of the song features the vocals of Elizabeth Fraser, who sang in the Cocteau Twins. Another popular track is You And Your Sister, which was originally recorded by Chris Bell. The This Mortal Coil version features the vocals of Kim Deal, a member of the Pixies.

Musical Style and Influences: This Mortal Coil's music is hard to define, as their style was so unique. Their music incorporated elements of shoegaze, dream-pop, and gothic-rock, but it was so much more than that. The band was known for their use of unconventional instrumentation, such as harps, and their choral vocal sound. Their music was also heavily influenced by classical composers like Faure, Vaughan Williams, and Ravel.

Conclusion: This Mortal Coil was a band that left a lasting impression on the music industry. Their ethereal sound, unique instrumentation, and haunting vocals combined to create a sound that was truly timeless. While they may not have been commercially successful, their influence can still be heard today in the music of bands like Beach House, Cocteau Twins, and Sigur Ros. If you're a music lover looking for something out of the ordinary, give This Mortal Coil a listen. You won't be disappointed.