4AD

THIS MORTAL COIL – Third And Final Album ‘BLOOD’ Released 30 Years Ago

Posted on by JL

Back in time…

23 April 2021

Band: THIS MORTAL COIL
Who: British music project created and led
by Ivo Watts-Russell, founder of legendary
indie label 4AD.

Album: BLOOD (double LP – 21 tracks)
Released: 22 April 1991 – 30 years ago

Artists: An extended cast including guests such as Deirdre Rutkowski, Kim Deal, Caroline Crawley, Tanya Donnelly, Dominic Appleton interpreting songs by Syd Barrett, Gene Clark, Mary Margaret O’Hara, Pieter Nooten, David Roback (Mazzy Star) and many more.
Full list here.

Pitchfork wrote: “In some ways this felt like the most American record they’d done yet, given cover choices like Spirit, the Byrds, and Emmylou Harris… Listening to it again in a time when styles are so easily appropriated, it’s actually shocking to hear a band approach those sources so intent on reinterpreting them in their own image. From the opening original “The Lacemaker”, all strings, echoes, and tones, to the slow stomp and grind of “Ruddy and Wretched” and a delicate version of Mary Margaret O’Hara’s “Help Me Lift You Up”– and even the almost light breakbeats of “Loose Joints”, it’s another catch-all that holds together.” Score: 9/10.

Blood in full…

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4AD: Website

Legendary Label 4AD Celebrates Its Glorious Past With Current Artists Covering Artists’ Songs From The Past

Posted on by JL

4 April 2021

In 1980, a new British independent record label was christened Axis,
but discovered after its first batch of releases that another Axis already
existed, so a new name was necessary to avoid legal problems.

New name: 4AD.

Now, 41 years after its inception, 4AD came up with the idea
to celebrate the label’s glorious past with current artists covering
a song of their choice from 4AD’s impressive catalog of releases.

The idea turned into an LP titled BILLS & ACHES & BLUES – released
two days ago, 2 April – named after the opening line of Cocteau Twins‘
beauty Cherry-coloured Funk.

Some of the names who are part of the festive compilation:
The Breeders, Tune-Yards, Grimes, Future Islands, Dry Cleaning.
Some of the covered artists: Pixies, Deerhunter, The Breeders,
Bon Iver, The Birthday Party (Nick Cave).

Happy birthday, 4AD…

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4AD: Artists

Order info here

Hypnotic Krautrock Jam – DRY CLEANING Shared New Single ‘STRONG FEELINGS

Posted on by JL

10 February 2021


(press photo via label 4AD)

Band: DRY CLEANING
Who: Intoxicating indie 4-piece out of London with two impressive EPs in their bag.
Sweet Princess and Boundary Road Snacks And Drinks, both released in 2019.

Track: STRONG FEELINGS – 2nd single from upcoming debut album

Florence Shaw: (frontwoman) about the LP: “I found the lockdown played into some of the themes I was interested in anyway, living in a small world, a feeling of alienation, paranoia and worry, but also a joyful reveling in household things. It’s not just sheer pent-up energy all the time in the way that the first two EPs were. I feel more confident with leaving gaps.”

Score: Strong Feelings gets under your skin from the get-go when drums and bass develop a trance-inducing beat that moves and grooves until the end of this hypnotic Krautrock-like jam. A puzzling mixed emotions razzmatazz with Florence Shaw‘s femme fatale spoken-word reflection all over it with an instant foot-tapping effect. Top-notch exploit.

Equally head-spinning lead-single Scratchcard Lanyard…

DRY CLEANING: Facebook


Debut LP LONG LEG out 2nd April via 4AD