This Mortal Coil - It'll End in Tears

The inspiration of Ivo Watts-Russell, This Mortal Coil emerged in the early-80s when the post-punk scene was splintering in exciting new ways This Mortal Coil were not a band per se, never performing live, rather a collaboration of musicians, with both Ivo and co-producer John Fryer the only constant while the cast rotated. Experimentation was rife over three albums, they produced a heady mix of original works, musical links and reinterpretations of impeccably curated songs; helping to introduce a new audience to the talents of a previous generation, including Big Star, Tim Buckley, Roy Harper, Spirit, Gene Clark, Dino Valenti, Rain Parade, Emmylou Harris, Syd Barrett and Colin Newman, amongst others. Intriguing, almost amorphous, the ethereal qualities of This Mortal Coil were further enhanced by the stunning artwork that ran throughout the project -- with the mysterious figure of Pallas Citroën adorning each album cover, making her the project's de facto face. --- The debut album, It’ll End In Tears (1984) forged the template for This Mortal Coil, whilst also helping to crystallize 4AD's emerging signature sound and shining a light on some of their stable with Cocteau Twins, Colourbox and Dead Can Dance all involved (the line-up was completed by Howard Devoto of Buzzcocks / Magazine fame and Cindytalk’s Gordon Sharp). An important record of its time, Pitchfork recently named it one of the best Dream Pop albums ever, a moment they commented which “catalyzed 4AD’s ascendance from the stilted poetics of goth rock to the kings of gauzy transcendence.”