Blood

by

This Mortal Coil

Edit

I've read through all the reviews posted before mine, and can't fathom how the more prolific reviewers somehow disliked this album. I've been surfing around amazon to make up a silly list of all-time masterpieces, and this is the first disc I checked up on.

First off, background: TMC is the baby of producer Ivo, main man at 4AD records, which has released a lot of great music from a lot of great musicians: we're talking Pixies, Breeders, Throwing Muses, Dead Can Dance, Cocteau Twins, Wolfgang Press, Colourbox (aka M/A/R/R/S - of Pump up the Volume fame), etc. This is not a tiny indie label that is built around one decent artist; 4AD rocks.

TMC is Ivo reigning in various 4AD artists and using them in (sadly only three) albums of uncategorizable, moody music. Most TMC tracks will involve stringed instruments, ambient electronic, piano, diverse percussion, the occasional bass, guitar, choir, and then a ton of sumptuous vocals, almost always female. The first two albums ("It'll End in Tears" and "Filigree and Shadow") feature 4AD artists more consistently; "Blood" is largely a tighter group of instrumental musicians, with vocalists being: predominantly Deirdre Rutkowski; then Caroline Crawley; and then a couple by Alison Limerick, and the excellent "You and Your Sister" with Kim Deal (Pixies/Breeders) and Tanya Donnelly (Throwing Muses/Breeders/Belly).

As for the first two albums: the first (IEIT) was a single LP, and like the next (F&S) was more varied in direction throughout the songs. F&S and Blood are 2xLP, full-length CDs, yet Blood is far more consistent in mood, and flows beautifully. I should mention also, that these two albums feature a decent amount of instrumental material, which at their worst are decent segues between songs, and at their best, sound as if they're soundtrack material for a very moving or otherwise excellent film. Both these latter two albums are continuously mixed. But Blood is by far the most consistent effort in terms of maintaining a mood, and in the worthiness of the individual songs. There is not one track here I would skip.

For those wondering if this is a "goth" album; no, it isn't, but it IS melancholy, and that's why a copy of this album is on most Goths' shelves, as they're the pretentious and melancholy representatives in the grand scheme of scenes, cliques, sub-cultures, and stereotypes. But TMC is rarely pretentious; it's very heartfelt, and this album in particular will likely stick out in your collection for years. I first heard it in... 1989? and still listen to it as often as just about anything (and I have a TON of CDs). And in my list of masterpieces - albums which I think of as flawless - it was the first one that came to mind. I'm a very eclectic listener, and this disc is a beautiful representative of an aspect of myself, my musical interests, and my emotions.

End note: old Pink Floyd/Syd Barrett fans might want to take note of the cover of Barrett's "Late Night." Barrett's original recording is marred by his dysfunctionality; here, it's a total work of art.

I bought all three albums around the same time. This one I don't play too often. It's too sugary to my taste (I love DCD and early Cocteau Twins). The first two are all autumn; however, this one evokes images of summer. Too bland, if it is more accessible to wider audience. Still, there are highlights: Kim Deal and Tanya Donelly sing one lovely acoustic tune. Pixies and Breeders will appreciate the contribution. Psychedelia fans will be satisfied with a cover of Syd Barrett's Late Night. There's a cover of David Roback's (of Mazzy Star) early 80's song, with some interesting breathing-like noises. But it's all really nothing to write home about. Sad but true.

1. The Lacemaker (4.06)

(I. Watts-Russell / M. McCarrick / J.Fryer)

MOMENTUM MUSIC LTD. / COPYRIGHT CONTROL

Voices: Caroline Crawley, Deirdre Rutkowski

Music: Ivo Watts-Russell

Strings: Martin McCarrick, Jocelyn Pook, Sally Herbert, Sonia Slaney

Programming: John Fryer

2. Mr Somewhere (2.52)

(P. M. Walsh)

COMPLETE MUSIC LTD.

Voice: Caroline Crawley

Music: Jon Turner

Cello: Martin McCarrick

3. Andialu (3.03)

(I. Watts-Russell / J. Fryer)

MOMENTUM MUSIC LTD.

Voice: Alison Limerick

Music: Ivo Watts-Russell, John Fryer

4. With Tomorrow (2.40)

(Clark / Davis)

RONDOR MUSIC (LONDON) LTD.

Voice: Deirdre Rutkowski

Music: Jon Turner

5. Loose Joints (2.26)

(I. Watts-Russell / J. Fryer / M. McCarrick)

MOMENTUM MUSIC LTD. / COPYRIGHT CONTROL

Music: Ivo Watts-Russell

Strings: Martin McCarrick, Jocelyn Pook, Sally Herbert, Sonia Slaney

Programming: John Fryer

6. You and Your Sister (3.14)

(C. Bell)

COPYRIGHT CONTROL

Voices: Kim Deal, Tanya Donelly

Music: Jon Turner

Strings: Martin McCarrick, Jocelyn Pook, Sally Herbert, Sonia Slaney

7. Nature`s Way (3.19)

(R. California)

RONDOR MUSIC (LONDON) LTD.

Voices: Alison Limerick, Deirdre Rutkowski

Strings: Martin McCarrick, Jocelyn Pook, Sally Herbert, Sonia Slaney

8. I Come and Stand at Every Door (3.54)

(Hikmet / Waters)

HARMONY MUSIC LTD.

Voices: Louise Rutkowski, Deirdre Rutkowski, Tim Freeman

Violin: Gini Ball

Music: Ivo Watts-Russell

Programming: John Fryer

9. Bitter (6.25)

(I. Watts-Russell / J. Fryer)

MOMENTUM MUSIC LTD.

Voices: Ikuko Kozu, Alison Limerick, Deirdre Rutkowski

Music: Ivo Watts-Russell

Guitar: Jim Williams

Strings: Martin McCarrick, Jocelyn Pook, Sally Herbert, Sonia Slaney

Programming: John Fryer

10. Baby Ray Baby (2.13)

(I. Watts-Russell / J. Fryer)

MOMENTUM MUSIC LTD.

Voice: Deirdre Rutkowski

Music: Ivo Watts-Russell

Programming: John Fryer

11. Several Times (3.12)

(P. Nooten)

MOMENTUM MUSIC LTD.

Voice: Deirdre Rutkowski

Violin: Gini Ball

Music: Pieter Nooten

Programming: John Fryer

12. The Lacemaker II (1.24)

(I. Watts-Russell / M. McCarrick / J. Fryer)

MOMENTUM MUSIC LTD. / COPYRIGHT CONTROL

Music: Ivo Watts-Russell

Strings: Martin McCarrick, Jocelyn Pook, Sally Herbert, Sonia Slaney

Programming: John Fryer

13. Late Night (3.03)

(S. Barrett)

LUPUS MUSIC CO. LTD.

Voice: Caroline Crawley

Music: Jon Turner, Ivo Watts-Russell

14. Ruddy and Wretched (3.15)

(I. Watts-Ryssell / J. Fryer)

MOMENTUM MUSIC LTD.

Music: Ivo Watts-Russell

Programming: John Fryer

Guitar: Jim Williams

Voice: Anne Garrigues

15. Help Me Lift You Up (5.06)

(M. M. O'Hara)

BMG MUSIC PUBLISHING LTD.

Voices: Caroline Crawley, Deirdre Rutkowski

Music and Programming: Jon Turner

16. Carolyn`s Song (3.47)

(D. Roback)

WARNER CHAPPELL MUSIC LTD.

Voice: Deirdre Rutkowski

Strings: Martin McCarrick, Jocelyn Pook, Sally Herbert, Sonia Slaney

Piano: Jon Turner

Guitar: Jim Williams

Drums: Rain Parade

17. D. D. and E. (0.47)

(I. Watts-Russell / J. Fryer)

MOMENTUM MUSIC LTD.

Voice: Deirdre Rutkowski

Music: Ivo Watts-Russell

18. `Til I Gain Control Again (4.43)

(R. Crowell)

TESSA PUBLISHING

Voices: Heidi Berry, Louise Rutkowski, Deirdre Rutkowski

Piano: Jon Turner

Strings: Martin McCarrick, Jocelyn Pook, Sally Herbert, Sonia Slaney

19. Dreams are Like Water (8.37)

(I. Watts-Russell / J. Fryer)

MOMENTUM MUSIC LTD.

Voice: Deirdre Rutkowski

Music: Ivo Watts-Russell

Programming: John Fryer

20. I am the Cosmos (4.05)

(C. Bell)

COPYRIGHT CONTROL

Voices: Dominic Appleton, Deirdre Rutkowski

Music and Programming: Jon Turner

Guitar: Jim Williams

21. (Nothing but) Blood (4.04)

(I. Watts-Russell / J. Fryer)

MOMENTUM MUSIC LTD.

Voice: Deirdre Rutkowski

Music: Ivo Watts-Russell

Programing: John Fryer