[6] The project became known for its gothic, dream pop sound, and released three full albums, beginning in 1984 with It'll End in Tears.
The 4AD website said: This Mortal Coil was not a band, but a unique collaboration of musicians recording in various permutations, the brainchild of 4AD kingpin Ivo Watts-Russell.
The idea was to allow artists the creative freedom to record material outside of the realm of what was expected of them; it also created the opportunity for innovative cover versions of songs personal to Ivo.One of the label's earliest signings was Modern English.
In 1983, Watts-Russell suggested that the band re-record two of its earliest songs, "Sixteen Days" and "Gathering Dust", as a medley.
[8] In June 1998, Watts-Russell began releasing albums in a similar vein to his TMC projects, under the name The Hope Blister.