This Mortal Coil - Blood

Released in 1991, Blood serves as the sprawling, 75-minute grand finale to the This Mortal Coil trilogy, trading the jagged post-punk edges of its predecessors for a lush, "chamber pop" aesthetic. Meticulously directed by 4AD founder Ivo Watts-Russell, the album is a masterclass in atmosphere, seamlessly weaving together haunting instrumentals and ethereal covers of artists like Chris Bell and Syd Barrett. While some critics find its double-album length "taxing" or "bloated," others praise the sophisticated production and standout vocal performances—most notably the folk-inflected harmonies of Kim Deal and Tanya Donelly. Ultimately, it remains a definitive document of the "4AD sound," capturing a transition from darkwave into a polished, cinematic abstraction that feels both timeless and deeply melancholic.

Released in 1991, Blood serves as the sprawling, 75-minute grand finale to Ivo Watts-Russell’s This Mortal Coil project. While its predecessors focused on the skeletal beauty of post-punk and darkwave, Blood leans heavily into a lush, "chamber pop" aesthetic. It is an album of immense patience, trading the occasional jagged edges of the 80s for a seamless, oceanic flow of sound that feels both expensive and hauntingly intimate.

The album is perhaps best known for its incredible vocal performances, particularly the chemistry between Kim Deal and Tanya Donelly on their cover of Chris Bell’s "You and Your Sister." Their harmonies provide a rare moment of grounded, folk-inflected warmth amidst the record's more ghostly, synthesized landscapes. Other standouts, like Caroline Crawley’s take on Syd Barrett’s "Late Night," reinforce the project's knack for uncovering the hidden, melancholic soul within psychedelic and rock classics.

Structurally, Blood is a double-album that demands total immersion. Critics often point out that its length can be "taxing," as it moves through long stretches of instrumental textures and drumless ballads that blur together. However, for those who appreciate the 4AD "ethereal" sound, this lack of friction is the point. It’s an exercise in mood-setting, where the transitions between tracks are as vital as the songs themselves, creating a singular, twilight-lit world that never breaks character.

Ultimately, Blood is a meticulously crafted farewell that successfully unified diverse genres—from country-rock to avant-garde minimalism—under a gothic umbrella. It lacks the shock of the new that made It’ll End in Tears a classic, but it compensates with a sophisticated production polish that has aged remarkably well. It remains a definitive document of the "4AD Sound," capturing a specific moment where indie rock surrendered entirely to beautiful, dark abstraction.

Ripped to MP3

Disc One

1. The Lacemaker – (4:06)

2. Mr. Somewhere – (2:52)

3. Andialu – (3:03)

4. With Tomorrow – (2:40)

5. Loose Joints – (2:26)

6. You and Your Sister – (3:14)

7. Nature's Way – (3:19)

8. I Come and Stand at Every Door – (3:54)

9. Bitter – (6:25)

10. Baby Ray Baby – (2:13)

11. Several Times – (3:12) 

Disc Two

1. The Lacemaker II – (1:24)

2. Late Night – (3:03)

3. Ruddy and Wretched – (3:15)

4. Help Me Lift You Up – (5:05)

5. Carolyn's Song – (3:47)

6. D.D. and E. – (0:47)

7. 'Til I Gain Control Again – (4:43)

8. Dreams Are Like Water – (8:37)

9. I Am the Cosmos – (4:05)

10. (Nothing But) Blood – (4:04)