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Customer Reviews of Blood

Worst in the Series
Each This Mortal Coil album is a collection of collaborative efforts by (mostly) artists signed to the 4AD record label. For example, their first album, "It Will End in Tears" has such contributers as the Cocteau Twins, Dead Can Dance, Modern English, etc. The results are always mixed, largely depending upon who producer Ivo Watts talks into contributing. However, with each subsequent album, the collaborative efforts of This Mortal Coil decreased in quality with the artists. Whereas "It Will End in Tears" is an often beautiful and inventive album, and the second album, "Filigree and Shadow", is an uneven effort that still occassionally reaches the first album's heights, with the exception of the song "I Come and Stand At Every Door", none of the songs on "Blood" (which are mostly covers instead of original songs this time) reach the standards previously set. Part of the problem is that some of the artists, such as Kim Deel of the Breeders (she and Tanya Donnelly being the only "big names" on this one), have a style more suited to quirky pop music. Also, while all three albums have a certain level of pretentiousness (something often unavoidable and forgiveable when the artists in question are trying to take risks), the third album is mainly nothing but pretention with little real talent shining through. While listening to "Blood", instead of being moved, I keep getting comical pictures in my head of things like mustached men in berets saying "I am an ARTISTE!" This album is the musical equivalent of junior high school level poetry: sure, they're trying, and that's admirable, but it doesn't make the result any more palatable. Give the first album a try instead if you are into the better works of the Cocteau Twins and Dead Can Dance, but avoid this one.

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Fragments of a rainy season
Another reviewer below said that this album lacked the talents of classic 4AD artists like Cocteau Twins and Dead Can Dance. Well, the Cocteaus had already left the label, and DCD were working on "Aion" and "A passage in time". More important, the musical climate had changed since TMC's last effort "Filigree and shadow", and it would've been inappropriate for an avantgarde project to repeat the ideas and sounds of previous albums. And there are still many 4AD artists involved, just look at Heidi Berry, Kim Deal(Breeders), Tanya Donelly(Belly), Pieter Nooten(Clan Of Xymox), or John Fryer(producer). Overall, "Blood" shifts the focus from independent rock to contemporary chamber music and drumless ballads. This album comes up with a great variety of styles, including exceptionally beautiful synth passages ("The lacemaker", "Mr. Somewhere", "Several times"), psychedelic guitar rock ("I come and..", "I am the cosmos"), and several interesting cover versions. "Blood" is TMC's most ambitious effort and represents a singularly charming and disarming album. Only some underdeveloped tracks annoy, the rest is flawless. Personally, I think "Blood" remains the 4AD label's last true avantgarde album.

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Dreams are like water
Next to "Twice Upon a Time" by Siouxsie & the Banshees, This Mortal Coil's "Blood" album is one of my first goth albums I have ever bought without realizing it. I haven't listened to "Blood" in a long time. I almost forgot just how enchanting that this album is. I can't really compare this album to any other TMC cds because this is the only cd I own by This Mortal Coil. Unlike some reviewers, I do enjoy this album immensely. It is very dark and foreboding. Ideal music to listen to on a cold, rainy day (or in my case, a cold winter day). I like how there are different vocalists for every song and there are some special guest vocalists from well known sings like The Breeders' Kim Deal ex-Belly/Breeder singer Tonya Donnelly on "You and Your Sister". Since TCM was on the label 4AD label, there is that familiar 4AD sound ala The Cocteau Twins and Lush, ethereal, lush melodies with delicate female vocals. "Blood" is truly a beautiful and underappreciated album.