4AD

Hi,

I haven't written about the greatest label ever on this blog, yet, so here goes.

The label is 4AD and it is responsible for some of the greatest music ever recorded. Founded in the late-70's by Ivo Watts-Russell and Steve Webbon, their first releases were right at the beginning of 1980. Ivo was hired by Beggars Banquet, not only a label but a record store chain in London. He convinced Beggars Banquet to finance his new label with the promise that any succeeding artists could be handed over for larger distribution. Originally calling their fledgling label Axis, they were prodded to find a new name for the label. 4AD came from a flyer that they saw and the rest is history.

Bauhaus was the first band that became popular for them. They signed them after the release of the cult single "Bela Lugosi's Dead" was pressed by the Small Wonder label. Thus began the legacy of this amazing label.

I have chosen to highlight and then list several other of my favorite bands from 4AD in this blog. I will start with my favorites.

Dead Can Dance



Founded by vocalists Lisa Gerrard and Brendan Perry in Australia in 1981, the band's first recording was self-titled on 4AD. It was released on February 27, 1984. This recording was very gothic sounding compared to later releases. It also lacked their marriage of world fusion and neo-classical styles to the eventual signature sound of the group. I prefer to call the style "renaissance" as I imagine this music might have been played during that era of history in the Middle Ages, had the instrumentation needed been available. All eight albums released by Dead Can Dance have been under the 4AD label. They disbanded in 1998 but reformed for a world tour in 2005.

Lisa Gerrard has released three solo works but has collaborated on dozens of other recordings and movie/TV scores. She was nominated for an Academy Award for her collaboration with Hans Zimmer on the score to the movie "Gladiator" in 2000. It did receive the Golden Globe Award in the same catagory.

Brendan Perry has one solo recording with a second due this year. He, too, has collaborated with many other projects and artists in various capacities.

Cocteau Twins



The band was founded in Scotland by guitarist Robin Guthrie and bassist Will Heggie. Vocalist Elizabeth Fraser would join the band soon thereafter. In 1983, Simon Raymonde would join the band on bass. They seemed to hit their stride upon his addition to the band.

The debut release for this group was titled Garlands on 4AD. It was released on September 1, 1982. For those of you that know this band at all, the style of this recording is far different than their other recordings. It is very gothic-sounding and you will often find a few songs from this release on goth collections from this era. One of the more popular titles was "Blood Bitch". With the addition of Raymonde, the band's new signature sound was to be molded.

If you can get your hands on it, one of my favorite collaborations was with the great Harold Budd on a project called Moon And The Melodies from 1986. This recording was very ambient. Fraser's haunting vocals provided the perfect partner for the music. Even though Raymonde and Fraser were present on this recording, it was not released under the name Cocteau Twins. Members of the group also participated in the collaborative super group, This Mortal Coil. I'll have more on them later. Cocteau Twins recorded a total of seven albums for 4AD, if you include "Moon And The Melodies". After leaving 4AD, they recorded another two with the Fontana label.

Lush



One of the most underrated bands ever, Lush was very versatile. The band was created through the friendship of Emma Anderson and Miki Berenyi at 14 years of age. The other original band members were Steve Rippon on bass, Chris Acland on drums, and Meriel Barham on vocals and guitar. They would later add Phil King as their bassist before their second album. They ended up recording three official albums for 4AD even though Gala, released mainly for the US and Japan from EP's and singles, was considered by many as a legitimate release. The first official release was titled Spooky on January 27, 1992.

The best attribute to the band, besides the great songwriting, was the ability to play many different styles of music very well. They were branded with the shoegaze moniker by the British press. This was both a blessing and a curse. They were so much more, as their fans can attest to. They could crank out a pop hit, i.e. "Ladykiller" and "Single Girl" and then turn right around and lay down an equally impressive ballad. Their layering of guitars and vocals were masterful. Seeing them live was truly a treat.

After drummer Chris Acland hanged himself in 1996, Miki Berenyi left the band and so was the end of Lush. Emma Anderson went on to form another very cool band called Sing-Sing with Lisa O'Neill. They released two full albums before calling it quits in early-2008.

Mojave 3



One of my first introductions to what is now known as "Alt Country" was with this great band. Neil Halstead is lead vocalist, guitarist and chief songwriter for the band. He formerly fronted the legendary shoegaze band called Slowdive. Other members include former Slowdive alums, Rachel Goswell and Ian McCutcheon, along with Simon Rowe and Alan Forrester filling out the rest of the band after their first album was released on 4ad. That album was titled Ask Me Tomorrow and debuted on October 16, 1995. They have recorded a total of five albums for 4AD.

The most amazing attribute to Neil's songwriting is his ability to project a stark reality to his words. He lays it all out on the table. Heartbreak, disappointment, romantic longing and acceptance are all on display for everyone to see. He is a great musician, too, which really makes him the complete performer.

I have never seen them live but was able to catch Neil last summer as he was supporting his second solo release titled Oh! Mighty Engine. He is quite talented and I expect to see him in one incarnation or another for years to come.

Red House Painters



This is the last artist that I want to spotlight on this entry. Mark Kozelek is the lead singer and songwriter for this very influential band. After moving to San Francisco from Atlanta with drummer pal, Anthony Koutsos, they signed with 4AD in 1992 after having one of their tapes passed on to the label by American Record Club frontman, Mark Eitzel. Their first release was titled Down Colorful Hill on September 14, 1992. It was made up mostly of early demos, some were on the tape first heard by 4AD. Red House Painters would go on to release a total of four albums with 4AD before moving to the Supreme Recordings label. This was after a dispute with the American division of 4AD refused to release Songs For A Blue Guitar due to creative differences with the recording.

It was apparent that Kozelek had a true gift. His vocal style was unique and his songwriting was introverted and personal. Besides his amazing ability to create an emotional bond with the listener, Mark was an exceptional guitarist. His gifted ability to blend his vocals with acoustic brilliance is what made the early recordings so amazing. He likes to record covers of many of his favorite songs from such artists as Leonard Cohen, Yes and Simon & Garfunkel, to name a few.

Mark now has his own label, Caldo Verde Records, and has recorded solo as well as with his current band, Sun Kil Moon.

To conclude my ode to 4AD, here is a list of many other great bands to record on this label:

* Clan Of Xymox (Xymox)
* Bauhaus (Peter Murphy, Tones On Tail, Love & Rockets)
* Throwing Muses (Tanya Donnelly, Belly)
* The Pixies (Black Francis, Frank Black)
* Modern English
* Gus Gus (Emiliana Torrini)
* The The
* The Breeders
* Le Mystere des voix Bulgares

There are many, many 4AD sampler discs that have been released over the years. If you find yourself thumbing through the used vinyl/CD bins and happen to come across one, it would be well worth it to try it out. I guarantee it!

K