Euphoric.

I've been on a This Mortal Coil bender for the past twenty-two years, ever since my friend Bernadette sent me It'll End In Tears and their initial self-titled ep in the mail. On vinyl, even.

This Mortal Coil, 4AD's "house band," combined the efforts of such greats as Modern English, Cocteau Twins, Dead Can Dance, Pixies, Throwing Muses, and many other talents and created something wonderful - and something that only lasted for three albums. Three albums is enough, though, because they border on perfection. They have been integral to my continued evolution. I owe them quite a bit and I'm pretty sure I've listened to them (at the very least) once a day since they were introduced to me.

Their available albums:

Blood

Filigree & Shadow

It'll End In Tears

Blood is my favorite, start to finish. Some people whine that Blood is too "mainstream" (presumably due to the lack of Lisa Gerrard) or some such nonsense - but I can guarantee you that it is a joy. Tanya Donelly and Kim Deal's rendition of "You and Your Sister" is good enough, but add to that "Late Night," "I Am the Cosmos," and - well - everything else - and you've got a fantastic CD, one that I have pushed on people since it was released.

If you're new to This Mortal Coil, I would suggest this - before dipping into this World of Wonders, please navigate yourself to the nearest Aveda Aesthetique and purchase a Euphoric Plant Pure-Fume Candle, get home as quickly as possible, light that thing and let its all-natural, ayurvedically-balanced beauty permeate your zone, then lie back, press play, and close your eyes. You will not regret it. You will witness your life changing.