SWANS (early)

BlackHole · September 16, 2016, 04:27:42 AM

I recently saw Swans live, and I've never been a big fan of their newer material (post Children of God). I don't hate it, but am definitely less enthusiastic about it. The show was really great and it inspired me go go home and spin my early Swans records. Filth, COP, Greed as well as the Young God EP remain some of my favorite records. Especially COP and Young God. Not much else achieves the same level of visceral, raw brutality, anger and emotion. The track "Your Property" off of the COP LP is an all time favorite and has been somewhat of an anthem for me. The live album "Public Castration Is a Good Idea" is also fucking excellent and quite possibly the best live album of all time for me.

Discuss...

david lloyd jones · September 17, 2016, 07:06:54 PM

not listened to the swans in a dogs age.
only appreciate early stuff-mostly pre greed, holy money stuff. hated the jarboe era stuff.
later was interested to find out they used tape loops in their live sets to give a churning, disorienting quality-a comp, can't remember the name gives examples.

GEWALTMONOPOL · September 17, 2016, 07:58:46 PM

The live video A Long Slow Screw is about as perfect as anything can get. Jarboe is in the band by this point but don't let that put you off. Even the closing ballad between her and Gira is brutal as hell.

What their reunion stuff is like I have never heard and I don't intend to either. Fuck that.

absurdexposition · September 17, 2016, 08:48:13 PM

"Public Castration..." is essential.

The first of the comeback albums "My Father..." is great. The other three triple fucking LPs have given me little interest - and some of what I heard is just flat out annoying.

I do enjoy later stuff like "White Light..." quite a bit.

Zeno Marx · September 17, 2016, 09:20:12 PM

I don't believe the material from the last few albums was intended for listening in studio form, but the albums exist for product to sell. That material was always intended by Gira to be heard and experienced live. I've heard a few live recordings from the last couple of tours that were crushing and fantastic. They smoke the studio versions.

david lloyd jones · September 17, 2016, 09:43:21 PM

sorry guys.
appreciate artists desire to develop and progress, but I like what I like.

ANDROPHILIA · September 17, 2016, 10:16:06 PM

strangely i'm a fun of lasts Swans more than early

david lloyd jones · September 17, 2016, 10:31:54 PM

each to their own.
my response id likely due to my tastes at the time
other times, other tastes.
equally, that an artist wants to 'progress' doesn't mean the listener wants to follow.
intellectual liking of progression does not equal emotional liking of prior/current sounds.

impulse manslaughter · September 17, 2016, 10:39:48 PM

Got some of their stuff but rarely listen to it.. Should give it another try!

david lloyd jones · September 17, 2016, 10:46:19 PM

well, yes, according to my aesthetic, but add old stuff according to others.
of course what i say is more important!

Dr Alex · September 17, 2016, 10:56:22 PM

Old classics are amazing but I like also Swans Are Dead live and The Seer is great one!

ANDROPHILIA · September 17, 2016, 11:54:49 PM

Quote from: Dr Alex on September 17, 2016, 10:56:22 PM
Old classics are amazing but I like also Swans Are Dead live and The Seer is great one!

there is an intense version of the sound in this live.

absurdexposition · September 18, 2016, 06:04:09 PM

Quote from: Zeno Marx on September 17, 2016, 09:20:12 PM
I don't believe the material from the last few albums was intended for listening in studio form, but the albums exist for product to sell. That material was always intended by Gira to be heard and experienced live. I've heard a few live recordings from the last couple of tours that were crushing and fantastic. They smoke the studio versions.

Seen them twice on the tours on this recent stuff and both times were great for sure.

HOGRA · September 18, 2016, 06:32:39 PM

These are my personal favorites:

Public Castration Is A Good Idea
Cop
Omniscience
Body To Body, Job To Job
Children Of God
Anonymous Bodies In An Empty Room

HongKongGoolagong · September 23, 2016, 03:23:32 AM

Saw the Swans in 1987 and found their schtick extremely cheesy and hammy - I was still a teenager but could tell when people were pimping out their 'pain'. Big Black were much better as a live band. I seem to have a great deal of their work, a lot of which doesn't get many plays. Body To Body, Job To Job is a terrific compilation of the Cop/Raping A Slave era material which may be actually superior to the original cuts - currently available as a bonus disc with the Filth reissue.

Holy Money and Love Of Life have some better tracks than others from the gothy Jarboe years, and I have sneaking regard for the 'Burning World' Laswell major label experiment - absolutely great and devastating Blind Faith cover on there. Reformation material has been something of a bore.