"Blood" is the third and final album by This Mortal Coil, an ambient dream pop collective led by Ivo Watts-Russell. The album was released in 1991, through the British record label, 4AD. This Morton Coil's last album can be seen as a bit more unified in sound. This band was not a conventional one; instead, the ensemble featured a rotating cast of musicians throughout its existence, with Watts-Russell being the only constant member.
The album is a medley of the alternative and dream pop with glimpses of gothic, drawing upon the talents of various artists to create a diverse and hauntingly ethereal sound. "Blood" features a wide range of cover songs from various artists, including Mary Margaret O'Hara, Chris Bell, and Syd Barrett, which is a signature characteristic of This Mortal Coil's discography.
Contributing musicians for "Blood" include Deirdre and Louise Rutkowski, Caroline Crawley, and Dominic Appleton, among others. Despite the multitude of contributors, however, the record maintains a cohesive and unified sound throughout. This could be attributed to the guidance and vision of Watts-Russell.
"Blood" received positive critical acclaim, with its unique sound contributing to its standing as an iconic piece of early-'90s dream-pop and gothic influx. Many critics lauded the album's ability to seamlessly interweave a variety of musical influences, while others praised its emotive and atmospheric quality. Alongside the artist's other works, the album has retained its relevance and influence within the alternative music scene.
Overall, "Blood" marks an important moment in the history of dream pop, its dark and ethereal soundscapes providing a fitting conclusion to This Mortal Coil's discography.
