Duffy, Paul (The Coral) - The Coral: Caves of Illusion - in 8-Bit

Legendary Mersey-psych five-piece’s bassist, Paul Duffy, reveals the complete debut album in lo-tech computerised format.

The Coral’s era-defining, 2002 self-titled debut album, from which classics such as 'Dreaming Of You' and 'Skeleton Key' emerged as noughties indie staples, has been re-recorded for fresh release in lo-fi, 8-bit form. Revealing the band and their first masterpiece as they have never been heard before, the full 11-track album has been reworked by the band’s co-founder and bassist, Paul Duffy.

All films are due their own soundtrack and Duffy’s response to the call to create something typically off-centre was to return to the band’s collective interests in niche popular culture, especially the rudimentary digital technology of late-80’s and early-90’s. After testing out just one track, the band urged him to go the whole distance.

He says: “We were in the process of filming the documentary and James asked Nick Power (keyboards) if anyone could make an 8-bit version of ‘Shadows Fall’ for a short scene in which we were depicted as pixel characters. Nick said; “Duffy’s your man.” I’ve always been a bit of a gamer, so it was perfect for me. Everyone loved it so much that they said do the whole first album in 8-bit. Now it’s featured throughout the documentary”