If you didn't know "When will I return?" was sung and written by Michael's wife about her experience being sexually assaulted. The "I'm alive" mantra at the end of the track feels even more powerful knowing the context.
I was about to comment on this. I saw Michael (solo) live a couple years ago in a church and he told the story behind this song and then performed it himself. It was amazing!
Some stuff about the albums: - Michael Gira has said that 'Cloud of Forgetting' and 'Cloud of Unknowing' are prayers - The lyrics from the first half of 'The World Looks Red / Black' were originally written by Michael for Sonic Youth - Michael Gira has said that 'People Like Us' is a farewell for that era of Swans (2010 - 2017) - Frankie M goes hard - When Will I Return was sung by Michael Gira's wife, Jennifer Gira, and the lyrics are about a time where she was sexually assaulted by a man. - The Glowing Man is kinda perfect - Finally, Peace is cool Some more Swans albums to check out: - For the earlier Swans stuff, I recommend White Light from the Mouth of Infinity, and The Great Annihilator - For more modern Swans, My Father Will Guide Me Up a Rope to the Sky is worth a shot, as it kinda laid the groundwork for the trilogy. If not, continue chronologically with the albums 'leaving meaning.', and 'The Beggar', as they supposedly continue the story of the trilogy, though may also not be a part of it. Though should def listen to 'leaving meaning.' first, as although it is many's least favourite modern Swans album, it's kinda important for context for The Beggar.
Timestamps: 1:08 - Cloud of Forgetting 4:20 - Discussion 5:03 - Cloud of Unknowing 11:32 - Discussion 12:33 - The World Looks Red/Black 16:07 - Discussion 16:59 - People Like Us 19:06 - Discussion 19:57 - Frankie M 24:09 - Discussion 24:56 - When Will I Return 26:39 - Discussion 27:24 - The Peepeepoopoo Man 34:04 - Discussion 34:46 - Finally, Peace 37:06 - Discussion 37:21 - Full album discussion
Maybe my favorite record of all time, glad you picked up on the meditative qualities of it. Often somehow this behemoth of an album ends up in my top five most played every year since it's come out because it lets me sink away into it's sound while working or doing anything. One of the most intense crowning achievements of any band. If ever get a chance to, see them LIVE, one of the most intense shows I've ever been to, and the loudest thing on earth.
some context about individual songs on this album: cloud of forgetting/unknowing has most likely something to do with an anonymous work of christian mysticism written in middle english in the latter half of the 14th century, called cloud of unknowing. the world looks red/the world looks black was a song gira had written the lyrics of back in for sonic youth back in 1982. when will i return is about michael gira's wife's experience with sa. about the ''joseph'' mentioned in the glowing man: michael gira explains that joseph is a voice that occasionally chooses to speak through him: ''There’s this person I call “Joseph” who has been the sort of the puppeteer of me, for my entire life. And he’s an entity that speaks through me on occasion, so it’s more like giving up to Joseph. Many of the songs are written through him.''
Saw them live last week in Brooklyn, Ong one of the greatest experiences of my life (2nd time seeing them live). I hope I get to see them more in the next few years (please age well).
Hey smags back again for my monthly “how to leave town” recommendation but also here to tell you that “this could be texas” by english teacher just came out around a week or so ago and it’s absolutely amazing! I have also decided to not be a mean person anymore so instead i will be positive!
NGL the theory about the “no’s” on the title track is super interesting. Goes to show how there’s always something new to be had with great music like this!
First listened to Swans because Brad Taste In Music had a video about The Glowing Man being the best song ever. Thought "yeah we'll see about that" and then I had a religious experience while eating breakfast
Very interesting comments about the themes. I have my own ideas, but yours are very cool. Definitely listen to more Swans. You would really enjoy White Light from the Mouth of Infinity (man that title is insane every time I write it).
you have GOT to listen to the great annihilator, it's probably their most accessible album but it's an essential part of their discography and i think it's their best. also yeah the one with the bunny is really good too 🐇
Yanqui UXO is for me the best album they ever released, and that is WITH "Skinny Fists" and "f sharp a sharp infinity" (two legitimate masterpieces) in the mix. GY!BE is just a singular beast.
I think that a good way to continue the swans stuff would be to just go to Leaving meaning that happened after the trilogy and then The Beggar (which is my fav Swans album, mainly cuz it really grew on me recently plus its somehow relatable)
Cloud of Forgetting and Cloud of Unknowing are two terms used in the book "Cloud of Unknowing" from an anonymous 14th century Christian mystic. The book details how the path to spiritual transcendence is to completely surrender your ego, your attachment to the world and even your personal thought processes, then dispose of them into the "cloud of forgetting." This allows you to begin entering a state of spiritual bliss called the "cloud of unknowing" where a person is as close as possible to the presence of God. It's a really amazing book.
Swans is the only band which makes 2 hours feel like 1 and that is what makes them special. You should listen to "Entertainment!" by Gang of Four, that album was a big influence for dance punk and post punk revival and was about 20 years ahead of its time.
Other Swans album you should react to: Filth (1983): their first album, way different than what you've heard, very aggressive and fucked up. You might not like it, but it's only like 40 minutes long, so at least you won't have to sit through two hours of it. Children of God (1987): this is when Swans started to calm down, though how it goes is there's a really heavy side, as well as a calmer, ethereal side to the album. White Light From the Mouth of Infinity (1991): still has that "ascending to heaven" feeling that Swans is known for, but with a folky vibe in there as well. The Great Annihilator (1995): probably the most accessible Swans album, either that or White Light, but it definitely still feels like a Swans album. One of the reasons I love Swans so much is because of how much they've changed, and I feel like context helps me enjoy their music even more, knowing Michael's journey through life. Very interesting if you don't already know about it.
IMO the best album post-2010 reformation of the band, perhaps only surpassed by Soundtracks for the Blind in their entire discography. Without exaggerating I've listened to this album in its entirety 300+ times. For about a year and half after its release I listened to it daily at work and it led to some of the most focused and productive mind states I had to do my architectural drafting work. Have listened to it in all states, sober, drunk, high, on mushrooms, on acid. This album is an endless trove of ideas and wonder. I believe all truly great albums share this aspect - that you can revisit them time and time again and find new ideas. I feel privileged to have seen them live in 2017 touring the live album post-The Glowing Man, Deliquescence. Still remains the best performance I've seen of any band ever. A portal to a different dimension. I see this as the peak of the "trilogy", the song writing framework that had some nascent form in My Father Will Guide Me Up A Rope to the Sky but was really more formalised in The Seer and then expanded, mutated on To Be Kind. It reaches some kind of heavenly zenith on The Glowing Man, and really a logical conclusion to that iteration of the band. Apart from the live album being mostly reimaginings of The Glowing Man, it presents us with one final assault with "The Knot" - a 'piece' (seems wrong in a way to call it a song when it's over 45 minutes long) worth listening to just on its own as it serves really as the fully realised "sound" that Michael and the band developed from 2010-2017, and so continuing down this path would only be retreading steps already taken.
hey smags! wanted to reccomend Deep Fantasy by SURFING, it's one of my fav albums. The vocals and production style might remind you of Daft Punk's smoother songs, or Air, which you got into recently. It's a super groovy and chill record, I think you'd like, especially after a swans record, lol
LOVE YOUR VIDEOS MY GUY a few recommendations: Process - Sampha (experimental r&b, great production) Nurture - Porter Robinson (light summer electric with fun production) Koi No Yokan - Deftones (very heavy, sexier and heavier radiohead imo) OIL OF EVERY PEARLS UN-INSIDES - SOPHIE (experimental electronic) Hypochondriac - Brakence (very experimental emo rap, glitch pop) Reading Writing And Arithmetic - The Sundays (the smiths ish, with beautiful female vocals)
Not surprised that it's your fave from the trilogy! Swans are mostly known for how dark and punishing their music can be but they also have a softer side that they show occasionally. Since you liked the ethereal and bright sound of this album, White Light from the Mouth of Infinity and The Beggar (their latest record) should be right up your alley. I've gotta say though that not taking into account the albums you've heard by them already, The Great Annihilator is the most consistent listen, imo. No duds and surprisingly great lyrics. It's really dark which is more typical of them but it has that kind of darkness that is strangely calming and maybe even comfy. I don't think I've found another album yet that does this thing so well Other recommendations: Nirvana - Nevermind Portishead - Third Modest Mouse - The Moon & Antarctica
When will I return is essentially a r@pe and revenge sorta story. Cloud of unknowing/forgetting are inspired by an english spititual book written in england in the 12th century resembling budhistic spiritual practisies. It essentially about forgetting everything thus cleaning your mind to receive god like moses got the 10 commandments. As i learned that these lyrics start to make a lot of sense.
34:14 I’ve listened to this track so many times yet I never thought of this interpretation that’s a really interesting way of looking at it I might even agree
you should check out their earlier more gothic rock style with white light the bunny too, you’d fw it hella and also listen to blood on the tracks by bob dylan & dopethrone by electric wizard
I recommend you to listen to Wallsocket by Underscores! It's one of the best albums of 2023 and the storytelling there is very interesting. Also thanks for making these reviews. Your videos are always fire 🔥
Please react to By the time i get to the phoenix by Injury reserve, a very experimental album and filled with feelings of an ex-member of the band that died tragically
react to vision creation newsun by boredoms NOW !! (it's not on spotify though, but i can assure you it is 500% worth listening to, best album of all time)
Would suggest checking out Uncanny Valley from stabscotch, incredibly good experimental noise rock stuff. Prison Jar would probably have more entertaining reactions but I feel Uncanny Valley is just unmatched in its vibe.
I’m not sure how true this is but I once read that during live performances they would turn up so loud, especially bass to try to make the audience feel uncomfortable.
Extremely loud. Saw them in 2017, uncomfortably loud in the best possible way. If I was sensible I should've worn ear buds the entire set, but having my ears suffer felt appropriate for the experience. Ears rang for 3 days after. Saw them again last year, still very loud compared to most other bands but nowhere near the levels of 2010-2017 and certainly pre-1997. I think the newer material doesn't need the extreme volume and sound pressure created live.
