This Mortal Coil

Released in 1984, this debut from the 4AD collective redefined the soundtrack for melancholy students alone in their rooms. Paradoxically uplifting despite the apparent tones of misery and despair, this is aural comfort food for those for whom old love songs just aren't quite cutting it. "Song to the Siren" (a Tim Buckley cover) is the best place to start. Beautiful.

You don't have to be morbidly obsessed, dress in black or read Rimbaud to love Cocteau
Twins and This Mortal Coil, though it probably wouldn't hurt. Either group's songs would
make the perfect soundtrack for an epic angst-out – stark, atmospheric drones that wind
hypnotically ever inward – yet neither group qualifies as doom merchants, struggling to
extract one last bucket of tears from Joy Division's long dry well. Both The Pink ... More >