Filigree & Shadow


Filigree & Shadow is the second album by the 4AD collective This Mortal Coil. Released in September 1986, the album features a loose grouping of guest musicians and vocalists brought together by label boss Ivo Watts-Russell, most of whom are from the 4AD roster.

Background and recording

Of the 25 tracks, 13 are instrumental, including the title track. This was the first double-LP released on 4AD, and introduced the "DAD" prefix into the label's catalogue. Watts-Russell took careful consideration in shaping the album's four sides so they flowed together as individual wholes. This is lost somewhat on compact disc, as the entire album fits on one CD.

Release

The album entered the UK Independent Music chart on 11 October 1986 and peaked at number 2, spending 16 weeks on the chart in total. A remastered and repackaged CD edition of Filigree & Shadow was issued with the complete This Mortal Coil recordings in a self-titled box set, released in late November 2011. The CD was released individually shortly thereafter.

Personnel

;Musicians
;Visual