It'll End in Tears

iTunes Review

This Mortal Coil is the vision of 4AD record-label owner of Ivo Watts-Russell and the work of many artists who could dial up ethereal, melancholy mood music that reflected the sepia-toned artwork featured on the album covers. Members of the Cocteau Twins, Dead Can Dance, the Buzzcocks and Modern English, among others, contributed to this brilliant set that is highlighted by two covers from Big Star’s Third (a.k.a. Sister Lovers) album, “Kangaroo” and “Holocaust,” Colin Newman’s “Not Me” and Tim Buckley’s “Song to the Siren.” In the case of Buckley, the cover helped bring attention to the late, great avant-jazz folk musician. Each cover is given the royal treatment with reverb and either gentle acoustic guitar or piano and strings. The remaining tracks range from evocatively dour instrumentals to delightfully weird tone poems. Roy Harper’s “Another Day” caresses the top end of the scale with manipulated vocals that bring about a sorrowful hue. Lisa Gerrard’s “Dreams Made Flesh” falls down the rabbit hole. 1980’s Goth doesn’t get more moody than this.