SWANS + related projects

[Iran_Ed]

NPR has a stream of The Seer for those who haven't heard it.

http://www.npr.org/2012/08/19/158708...&cc=tumb_music

[Ax Mr. L]

I've known this band a while, but never really have listened to them except for a couple of tracks, but now I'd like to give them a listen, so where should I start?
I would have had an opportunity to see them live about a week ago at a festival, but chose to find some food before Fennesz started his second performance. Now I regret a little bit that decision.

[Piko]

I'd say start with The Great Annihilator. If you liked the stuff you caught live, I'd check out My Father Will Guide Me...

Edit - oops. I misread. Thought you said you caught some of it.

[xmd 5a]

Hard to say where to start with Swans since their sound has evolved so much over their career. Check the latest albums then try Children of God and move backward if you like the harder, darker stuff or move forward if you prefer the more lush sounds. Definitely eventually check everything though.

[Piko]

The early stuff is pretty intense. Good stuff though. Children of God is a pretty solid one. The Great Annihilator's deemed the most "accessible" of the lot. Personally, I'd start there and move backward. But Children of God would be a good start as well.

[Ax Mr. L]

Thanks! I'll check out first The Great Annihilator and Children of god and then move backwards.

[Piko]

The early 90s albums catch a lot of flack (from gira himself even). Good stuff IMO.

[frankie teardrop]

agreed. i think the burning world is one of the best, if but very different from the majority of the catalog.

[aggroculture]

Love of Life and White Light from the Mouth of Infinity display great, succinct songwriting. Love those two records.

[frankie teardrop]

those were my first two, so i have some major fondness for those records as well. my vinyl copy of love of life sounds too brittle though, should have been 2xlps. unlike the burning world, which sounds amazing and is my preferrerd way to listen to that album.

oh, and the new album is pretty stellar. could do without karen o being everywhere these days, but not the end of the world.

[Piko]

Love of Life and White Light from the Mouth of Infinity display great, succinct songwriting. Love those two records.

That's where I started. White Light just had so much going on. Imagine my reaction when I first heard Filth, heh. I'm iffy about The Burning World. Just so different.

[xmd 5a]

I started with Cop/Young God/Greed/Holy Money and Filth/Body to Body Job to Job, so right into the deep end of the proverbial pool. Filth and Soundtracks for the Blind are my favourite albums, but the aforementioned Cop/Young God/Greed/Holy Money represents my most listened to collection of Swans tracks.

Haven't had time to properly digest The Seer as yet, but from what I've heard I'm feeling it more than My Father...

[richardp]

Good lord. This fucking album. Unreal.

[xmd 5a]

The title track is just about the best 30+ minute song I've heard in my life. The slow burn intro, volcanic eruption that is the 12th minute and subsequent relentless, pummeling, brain-drilling aural assault... Intense as fuck. I can't wait to experience this live!

[Piko]

Easily (IMO), Piece of the Sky and The apostate are my top two.

[blackholesun]

After many many listens, I'm very impressed with this album. It absolutely flies by for being 2 hours in length. Favorite tracks are The Seer (and The Seer Returns), A Piece of the Sky, The Apostate and Avatar. The only track I really don't dig is Song For a Warrior. Anyways, I'm just bought a ticket to see them in 2 weeks. Pretty excited for the experience

[xmd 5a]

"Mother of the World", "The Seer", "The Seer Returns" and "Avatar" are my favourites after my first proper listen. "Lunacy" (<3 Low) and "93 Ave B Blues" get honourable mentions.

My Father... was great and all, and still one of my favourite albums of 2010, but it had nowhere near the volume of killer material as The Seer does.

[Piko]

Not many people seem to like Song for a Warrior. I finally have been getting around and listening to the full thing. Its good. It flies by, yes. But, my mind tends to wander most of the time. But there's plenty of parts where it would regain my attention and make me look at what song I'm listening to. Certainly has it's good moments. Lots of them.

[frankie teardrop]

karen o really has no place on a swans album. it's the only track on the album i don't LOVE.

[Iran_Ed]

Going to go see them next month. I'm equally thrilled and terrified.

[eversonpoe]

has anyone purchased The Seer on vinyl? how does it play with the title track being split up, as well as the totally different order of the tracks?

[xmd 5a]

[fuckit]

the seer is fucked up in the right ways. can't wait for the new album

[Piko]

Wasn't aware they were working oj another one. Loved The Seer. More swans is always welcome.

[thefragile_jake]

Swans kicked my ass at Pitchfork Fest last month. They were such a highlight.

[carpenoctem]

There's a new album in the works already? Is this confirmed somewhere?

Edit: Yep.

I'm stoked. I hated The Seer at first, but a couple months ago it finally clicked and changed my life and the way I listen to long-form music.

[blackholesun]

The new live album should be awesome too.

[fuckit]

Have yet to see them live.i like the idea of hearing almost nothing but new material at a show. I can't believe a band this old can still make a landmark album

[carpenoctem]

Have yet to see them live.i like the idea of hearing almost nothing but new material at a show. I can't believe a band this old can still make a landmark album

This is kind of an ironic comment on a NIN board with a new album less than a month away.

[fuckit]

It is ironic huh? I didn't mean that it's impossible. But it is a great surprise and delight. I felt this way about mbv's new album and even year zero