The knot 00:00 - 37:00 Screen Shot 37:00 - 43:30 Cloud of Unknowing 43:30 - 1:22:05 The Man Who Refused to be Unhappy 1:22:05 - 1:27:55 The version is not complete! the sound The Glowing Man is missing!
I like how Gira has his back to the audience and is facing his band because it's pure workout for them. It's sort of like a traditional catholic mass where the priest has his back to the people and instead looks toward God while celebrating the mass
Exactly how I always describe seeing Swans live. They do some wizard shit with all the frequencies, the air feels thick with sound pressure waves, and you get lulled into a trance-like state with the relentless instrumental repetition and mantric chanting / shouting. Anyone that is even remotely 'into' music in any sense really ought to see Swans live if they can, it's an otherworldly experience.
@@el_mal_de_ojo That's exactly what it's like. I had never heard of them, but a buddy at the time saw them at Bonnaroo. He invited me along and when I asked what type of music they play, he responded "loud." I'm glad I didn't do any research ahead of time and just dove in and experienced it live. I had the honor of seeing them in a tiny ballroom and as soon as they came on, everyone in the crowd put ear plugs in. I knew then it was going to be an amazing experience. The room was just spinning and vibrating. Everyone was just staring: frozen, mouths open--basking in what they were witnessing. Powerful stuff. Truly amazing.
Finally, a real Swans show in full. Vent: The dvds were good, but the way they were edited by viewing different shows into each song editing style got annoying. Ex: Gira would be going absolutely insane, flailing his arms around without his guitar on in one shot, but the next, same section of music he was playing Lucille.
Someone just pointed me towards this band to check them out. My first impressions are that they are very intense and full of angst, depression, frustration and anger. Their energy seems to stand in defiance of something, so they're not giving up, but staying in the fight. I also don't really find any joy here. I think that tension and release, pain and joy, all have their place in music. I find this tension to be monotonous and unresolved though, and in the end, it sounds more disturbing than beautiful. Joy is important, at least for me. I will keep listening though to see if there is something more here for me.
after listening to them for a while, especially their album "to be kind" and parts of "the glowing man", i found that swans really are displaying joy but it is so extreme and animalistic that it becomes ugly and violent. it's the feeling of a rage of joy and excitement explored to its fullest, thus creating a very cathartic atmosphere. that's kind of my take on their music since i don't find their newer stuff to be depressing at all and i actually quite enjoy and get a lot out of their music
at 1:03:09 - a Young Portuguese Woman picks her nose...the Perfect response to Michael Gira's FLAT AS FUCK Voice! Maybe Swans was The Thing back in the 90's, but all of his shit sounds the same,...the same repetitive, droney, fake cathartic bullshit he did with Angels of Light. Ultimately Overhyped, and Underwhelming.
