Swans rollcall/new album discussion

Thought why not start this since the album is out and about now?

Some scattered thoughts:
After one listen, I am impressed. It sounds as though Gira tried to touch on each Swans era sonically and did so pretty well. Large amounts of stylistic musical shifting even within songs. This band he's put together packs a nice punch and should sound great in a live setting.

Have only heard the one track and I like it.  Really looking forward to hearing the rest of it.

I need to decide the best method to introduce the wife to Swans.

Didn't know it was out, awesome. Looking forward to the show at the black cat

Nice interview here.


Surprised to read that he's planning on tackling the early stuff live.

I heard these Swans shows are concentrated on Filth and Greed-era Swans.  I love how Gira's choosing the most alienating, difficult period of the Swans to come back with.

I haven't heard the new one but it's high on the list of albums to obtain somehow without spending money I don't have.

I can make that happen. Give me a few minutes.

a copy on a round plastic disc to be delivered on saturday would make me very happy and worth a guest spot if you know what i'm sayin'.

Oh, that is doable if you don't mind the files being mp3 sourced. Unless of course a flac copy surfaces between now and Saturday.

whatever it takes. i'll pick up the vinyl when i get a damn job someday!

I like the new one.  Not bowled over by it, but it has its moments and rarely a stumble.

I ordered one so we all wouldn't have to feel guilty  ;D

Why isn't this thread longer than the Arcade Fire one yet?


This show should be  about 10x more exciting and the album is about 100x better.


Snailhook, Philly setlist/review?

Expecting one of the most intense live music experiences ever tonight…

almost forgot about the show, looks like i'll be printing out my tickets at work so i don't have to go back to baltimore before the show.

found this on youtube (philly show) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yjIWOHEFak

Very excited for tonight's show!

I like the comment on last.fm for last night that asked simply "was I just raped by a jackhammer?"

Out of town so I missed this after all.  Would like to hear about it, though.

It was amazing.


Older songs played included:
Your Property, "I Crawled," Sex God Sex and Beautiful Child. Many selections had devastating extended intros. They also played most of the new album.


Oh yeah and the volume…

INTENSE!!! Loved that show!

i saw them in philly last night. it's been a pretty good year for shows, particularly this season – highlights have included michael rother's hallogallo 2010 (nu-neu!), rangda, sleep and magma – but swans captured the gold.  the set consisted of four old songs and four new ones totaling an hour and 15 minutes, plus a nearly-two-minute encore that was half tongue-in-cheek and half brutal earhole violation.  not one moment of dullness was heard, not one wasted note or breath.  i expected nothing less from michael gira, and still, i was amazed at just how fucking good they were.

also, the new album is fantastic.  i still haven't heard the new grinderman, but the rangda and swans albums are easily top two so far for me.  swans haven't lost a step since 1996, but i never thought they would considering how aesthetically pleasing all the angels of light albums are.  don't mistake 2010 swans for angels of light, though…this lineup in swans through and through.

review of philly:

http://howlinwuelf.blogspot.com/2010/09/swans-songs-philadelphia-9292010.html

show was great.  only complaint was the no AC - wasn't bad at first, but with the packed crowd got pretty hot and uncomfortable.  i think my hearing is finally back to mostly normal

They did turn the AC on briefly but right before the encore, Gira yelled out off-mic "can you turn that fucking AC off, please?" Weird request.