Natures Mortes was initially a vinyl, Japanese-only release. It saw mail-order reissue in 1997, and a few copies crept into record shops. It's certainly a curiosity for any 4AD fan, though this pertains mostly to the label's post-punk/experimental era. Well-known acts such as Bauhaus, the Birthday Party, The The, and Modern English make appearances, as do some lesser-known 4AD bands (Rema Rema, Dif Juz, Sort Sol, Psychotik Tanks, etc.). The real pearls, however, are the two Past Seven Days tracks, apparently the only songs they recorded. Both are masterful slices of angular, atmospheric post-punk in the vein of the Comsat Angels or even Gang of Four.
Natures Mortes - Still Lives is a seminal 1981 4AD compilation album (often imported from Japan) featuring early post-punk and gothic acts like Bauhaus, The Birthday Party, and Modern English. It acts as a moody showcase of the label’s early, raw sound, featuring tracks that blend discordant energy with atmospheric, dark textures. Includes "Rose Garden Funeral of Sores" (Bauhaus), "Mr. Clarinet" (The Birthday Party), and a unique alternative intro version of "Feedback Song" by Rema-Rema. The album is noted for its dark, experimental nature, capturing the transition from post-punk to gothic rock. It serves as a crucial historical document for 4AD, highlighting a transitional period with many artists, such as In Camera, Cupol, and Sort Sol, who were defining the "4AD sound".