Swans

[SwansSoilMe/SwansSaveMe]

Probably 1991. WHITE LIGHT-- solidified that phase that year.

[The Silent One]

Yes. That period is definitely at the top in many regards. "Why Are We Alive?", "In the Eyes of Nature", "Failure", "God Loves America", those and so many others...

As I said of live recordings, I enjoy them a great deal. Sadly, most of the 1992 tour tapes are supposed to be of only good sound quality. Shame. Another tape of "Love of Life" like the one on Omniscience would be wonderful. But there are those cassettes from the Belgium shows...

[SwansSoilMe/SwansSaveMe]

You know, I was really lucky (blessed, heh) to find those oop albums on CD. I hope this music is continually recognized by those conscious and ready for these Swans sentiments for years and years to come. Actually, a wooman I knew turned me on to Swans. I met her through a personal ad; she was the kind you do feel about 57% cooler with walking intoa record store. She was always looking for this unknown band, Swans. I would tell her, Check Amazon."

"NO, no Amazon."

Okay. Didn't mean I couldn't check it. And put my feelers out for an initial experience. That came with COG (which is this past summer the record I come back to like never before). But before that I was in on the last days of Napster, while the gettin' was good. When I heard "Failure," I was quite taken aback. I know you understand that. Christ. Talk about grim clarity... Someone said like "Hank Williams on Valium." Then "God Damn the Sun." Who was writing songs with ballsy titles like that? And making them good. Michael R., that's who. And that he survived what must've been an incredible catharsis -- not to cheapen the import of the songs with that somewhat overused word.

Many artists hardly even realize what they've given us. Chris Squire, of Yes, once said about the pre-Trevor Rabin era, "I don't like those songs anymore." Well... They too survive. I know Gira at least pretends embarrassment about the first few albums. Doesn't lessen their impact. But the ego always wants to go on and make what it's NOW doing the most important thing. Michael's dispensation for all intents and purposes is over, though I can't sau for sure of course. My feeling is he'll never make anything near as powerful as what he did with Swans. And that voice, the vocal flexibility... What a great baritone and style he discovered in the late 80s.

[SwansSoilMe/SwansSaveMe]

TSO, the version of "I Crawled" sung by Jarboe live on Swans Are Dead is the single most harrowing thing I can play from my whole music collection. So "live" has its moments, to be sure.

[SwansSoilMe/SwansSaveMe]

Okay TSO, I made an Angels of Light favorites disc:

1. Praise Your Name
2. Angels of Light
3. The Man with the Silver Tongue
4. Not Alone
5. Untitled Love Song
6. My True Body
7. Song for Nico
8. My Suicide
9. New York Girls
10. All Souls' Rising
11. Kosinski
12. Rose of Los Angeles
13. Sunset Park
14. Michael's White Hands
15. Destroyer

[The Silent One]

In no particular order:

Kosinski*
All Souls Rising*
Praise Your Name* (in my top ten songs ever list)
Two Women*
The Family God
Forever Yours*
New York Girls*
Shame*
New Mother
My True Body
Untitled Love Song
The Provider*
Sunset Park*
Come for My Woman*
To Live Through Someone
Inner Female
Jennifer's Sorry
Palisades*
The Man with the Silver Tongue
Real Person
New City in the Future
Nations
Because She Was
Rose of Los Angeles
One for Hope
Evangeline*
Public Embarrassment Blues

Wow. That's most of the catalogue. Alright, I'll asterisk the standouts. Also going to revisit ...Sing "Other People".

[The Silent One]

White Light from the Mouth of Infinity is on iTunes. How it got there I have only a hunch, but it's there. Note that the "clean" label isn't really in effect.

[Karnos]

I've heard a lot about Swans, but have never come forth and actually listen to something by them; SwansSoiMe, you seem to be a hardcore fan if I've ever seen one, what's your best recommendation for a noob? (Forgive the blatant e-pop internet slang)

[SwansSoilMe/SwansSaveMe]

Yeah, I d/k what a noob is, but maybe a song file. Search for "Failure" and "New Mind." Should be a real good and varied start. With more of a nod to The Silent One, also go for "Coward", an example of harsher, earlier Swans.

[Karnos]

Quote Originally Posted by SwansSoilMe/SwansSaveMe";p=&quot

Yeah, I d/k what a noob is, but maybe a song file. Search for "Failure" and "New Mind." Should be a real good and varied start. With more of a nod to The Silent One, also go for "Coward", an example of harsher, earlier Swans.

Thanks for the recommendations, SwansSoiMe.

I'm taking it that "d/k" stands for "don't know"... right? If so is the case, a "noob" is a "newbie" (to anything) written in the wretched form of Internet English used mostly in video game and not-so-serious forums