Name: Filigree & Shadow
Brand: This Mortal Coil

Tax rate EU

Default:19

Supplier EU

375 Media

Total Cap

Format detail

Colour details

Discogs ID

Limited edition

Colour

Format Music EU

Extended format

Extended format: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Download code

Download code: No

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Release date

2018-12-07

Format multiplier

Catalogue number

5169481

UPC / Barcode

652637300512

UHQCD Edition

5971972

652637300529

Artist

This Mortal Coil

Label EU

Genre EU

New Wave / Post Punk

This Mortal Coil was a "supergroup" of sorts that recorded three albums and a few other tracks between 1983 and 1991. The only official members of the project were 4AD label head Ivo Watts-Russell and well-known producer John Fryer, but many vocalists and musicians from 4AD (and non-4AD) groups such as Dead Can Dance, Cocteau Twins, Dif Juz, Colourbox, Howard Devoto, Cindytalk, Breathless and more were involved at various points in the project's lifespan.

While the project was retired following the 1991 album "Blood", the concept was revisited by Ivo in 1998 with a similar collective called The Hope Blister.

The name This Mortal Coil is taken from Monty Python's Flying Circus "Dead Parrot sketch", which in turn is a quote from Shakespeare's Hamlet ("... what dreams may come when we have shuffled off this mortal coil...").

The influential 4AD label was started in 1980 by music enthusiasts Ivo Watts-Russell and Peter Kent with financial help from Beggars Banquet, whose record store chain the pair worked for. Originally called Axis, they released an initial series of four 7" singles before finding out that the name Axis was already being used by another label. They quickly came up with a new name, 4AD, inspired by typography on a flyer announcing their releases. Under Ivo Watts-Russell's guidance, drawing influence from other UK indie labels such as Beggars Banquet, Postcard Records and Factory, 4AD quickly established a unique identity thanks to both the cover designs of Vaughan Oliver/v23 and the label's unique numbering system.

In 1992, 4AD entered a highly publicized Stateside distribution deal with Warner Bros. Records, opening offices in New York headed up by Robin Hurley. The label was largely run from California for most of the decade after Ivo Watts-Russell moved to Los Angeles in the mid-90s. In November 1999 it was announced that Martin Mills had taken over as chairman and relocated its HQ to London.

Decoding their unique numbering system reveals various formats like mail-order only releases (4AD), LPs (CAD), MP3 downloads (EAD), posters (FAD), videos (VAD) and more. The numeric portion of their catalog numbers

Newest Listed Items

The last of three albums by 4ad boss Ivo Watts-Russell and friends is another smooth collage of arty, sophisticated pop. Long and sprawling, it follows their familiar pattern of covers of semi-obscure songwriter's songs, linked by short instrumental passages. as in regular singer-songwriter music, the songs all have an intimate feel, putting the singer right up front at the centre. but it's far too other-worldly to be called folky. From start to finish, the songs and instrumentals are backed with ethereal washes of sound, varying from slinky string sections, floaty synths. shoegazing fuzz to industrial clanking.CD - Deluxe CD edition manufactured by the Ichikudo company in Japan, Packaged in striking gatefold paper sleeve which are printed to the highest standard. Originally made available as part of the highly limited boxset back in 2011, this new version is different - being UHQCDs (Ultimate High Quality Compact Disc) rather than HDCDs (High Definition Compatible Digital).2LP - Deluxe Vinyl which is different from the original release with the artwork reimagined by Ivo Watts-Russell and Vaughan Oliver (4AD’s long-time visual partner). Presented in a beautiful, hand finished and high-gloss gatefold sleeve. Remastered audio made from the original analogue studio tapes by the late, great John Dent.

Filigree & Shadow

Music EU