Date: Wed, 14 Oct 1998 11:05:40 -0000 From: Roy Burns Subject: I'm a rabid 4AD whore!!!! This Mortal Coil It'll End in Tears (4AD) Classic reissue from the vaults of 4AD Records, one of the UK's most successful and respected independent labels. This Mortal Coil was a "concept" group conceived by label founder Ivo Watts-Russell, and was comprised of musicians, he either signed, knew or admired, covering some of his favorite songs. Each handpicked song was drenched in atmospheric melancholy, exploring a sound that was restrained yet evocative, ethereal and moody, organic and electronic. It'll End In Tears (the first in a trilogy of releases) features members of 4AD recording acts The Cocteau Twins, Dead Can Dance, Modern English, Wolfgang Press and Colourbox, along with vocalists Howard Devoto (Magazine) and Gordon Sharp (Cindytalk) interpreting obscure songs from Alex Chilton/Big Star, Tim Buckley and Roy Harper. The album opens with Sharp's strong vibrato rendition of Big Star's "Kangaroo" and flows into This Mortal Coil's debut single, Tim Buckley's gorgeous and stark "Song To The Siren," sung beautifully by Liz Fraser, (Cocteau Twins). However, the album's most poignant track is "Holocaust." Magazine's Howard Devoto delivers a brutally sad punch to the Alex Chilton original, accompanied with simple piano and string arrangements. The album's original songs are also compelling. Dead Can Dance's Lisa Gerard takes center stage with the solemn "Waves Become Wings" and the ethnic "Dreams Made Flesh." Cocteau Twins bassist Simon Raymonde also contributes great songwriting on "The Last Ray" and "Barramundi." On the closing song "A Single Wish," Gordon Sharp sums up the album simply by sighing "It'll End In Tears" in a comforting voice that reminds you of an old lost friend. --Craig M. Roseberry