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=> GENERAL DISCUSSION => Topic started by: azaghal1981 on August 16, 2010, 09:08:52 pm

Title: Swans rollcall/new album discussion
Post by: azaghal1981 on August 16, 2010, 09:08:52 pm
Thought why not start this since the album is out and about now?

Some scattered thoughts:
After one listen, I am impressed. It sounds as though Gira tried to touch on each Swans era sonically and did so pretty well. Large amounts of stylistic musical shifting even within songs. This band he's put together packs a nice punch and should sound great in a live setting.

Title: Re: Swans rollcall/new album discussion
Post by: StoneTheCrow on August 16, 2010, 09:45:05 pm
Have only heard the one track and I like it.  Really looking forward to hearing the rest of it.

I need to decide the best method to introduce the wife to Swans.
Title: Re: Swans rollcall/new album discussion
Post by: Got Haggis? on August 17, 2010, 07:07:24 am
Didn't know it was out, awesome. Looking forward to the show at the black cat
Title: Re: Swans rollcall/new album discussion
Post by: azaghal1981 on August 18, 2010, 02:27:03 pm
Nice interview here. (http://www.attnmagazine.co.uk/music/2625)


Surprised to read that he's planning on tackling the early stuff live.
Title: Re: Swans rollcall/new album discussion
Post by: snailhook on August 30, 2010, 05:08:58 pm
I heard these Swans shows are concentrated on Filth and Greed-era Swans.  I love how Gira's choosing the most alienating, difficult period of the Swans to come back with.

I haven't heard the new one but it's high on the list of albums to obtain somehow without spending money I don't have.
Title: Re: Swans rollcall/new album discussion
Post by: azaghal1981 on August 30, 2010, 05:15:24 pm
I can make that happen. Give me a few minutes.
Title: Re: Swans rollcall/new album discussion
Post by: snailhook on August 30, 2010, 05:32:50 pm
a copy on a round plastic disc to be delivered on saturday would make me very happy and worth a guest spot if you know what i'm sayin'.
Title: Re: Swans rollcall/new album discussion
Post by: azaghal1981 on August 30, 2010, 05:36:36 pm
Oh, that is doable if you don't mind the files being mp3 sourced. Unless of course a flac copy surfaces between now and Saturday.

Title: Re: Swans rollcall/new album discussion
Post by: snailhook on August 30, 2010, 06:33:17 pm
whatever it takes. i'll pick up the vinyl when i get a damn job someday!
Title: Re: Swans rollcall/new album discussion
Post by: StoneTheCrow on August 30, 2010, 08:32:42 pm
I like the new one.  Not bowled over by it, but it has its moments and rarely a stumble.

I ordered one so we all wouldn't have to feel guilty  ;D
Title: Re: Swans rollcall/new album discussion
Post by: azaghal1981 on September 29, 2010, 07:19:42 am
Why isn't this thread longer than the Arcade Fire one yet?


This show should be  about 10x more exciting and the album is about 100x better.


Snailhook, Philly setlist/review?

Expecting one of the most intense live music experiences ever tonight...
Title: Re: Swans rollcall/new album discussion
Post by: Got Haggis? on September 29, 2010, 08:49:40 am
almost forgot about the show, looks like i'll be printing out my tickets at work so i don't have to go back to baltimore before the show.

found this on youtube (philly show) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yjIWOHEFak
Title: Re: Swans rollcall/new album discussion
Post by: blipvurt on September 29, 2010, 12:05:34 pm
Very excited for tonight's show!
Title: Re: Swans rollcall/new album discussion
Post by: azaghal1981 on September 29, 2010, 12:40:49 pm
I like the comment on last.fm for last night that asked simply "was I just raped by a jackhammer?"
Title: Re: Swans rollcall/new album discussion
Post by: StoneTheCrow on September 29, 2010, 10:18:46 pm
Out of town so I missed this after all.  Would like to hear about it, though.
Title: Re: Swans rollcall/new album discussion
Post by: azaghal1981 on September 30, 2010, 12:39:20 am
It was amazing.


Older songs played included:
Your Property, "I Crawled," Sex God Sex and Beautiful Child. Many selections had devastating extended intros. They also played most of the new album.


Oh yeah and the volume...
Title: Re: Swans rollcall/new album discussion
Post by: blipvurt on September 30, 2010, 01:20:18 am
INTENSE!!! Loved that show!
Title: Re: Swans rollcall/new album discussion
Post by: snailhook on September 30, 2010, 06:49:45 am
i saw them in philly last night. it's been a pretty good year for shows, particularly this season -- highlights have included michael rother's hallogallo 2010 (nu-neu!), rangda, sleep and magma -- but swans captured the gold.  the set consisted of four old songs and four new ones totaling an hour and 15 minutes, plus a nearly-two-minute encore that was half tongue-in-cheek and half brutal earhole violation.  not one moment of dullness was heard, not one wasted note or breath.  i expected nothing less from michael gira, and still, i was amazed at just how fucking good they were.

also, the new album is fantastic.  i still haven't heard the new grinderman, but the rangda and swans albums are easily top two so far for me.  swans haven't lost a step since 1996, but i never thought they would considering how aesthetically pleasing all the angels of light albums are.  don't mistake 2010 swans for angels of light, though...this lineup in swans through and through.

review of philly:

http://howlinwuelf.blogspot.com/2010/09/swans-songs-philadelphia-9292010.html
Title: Re: Swans rollcall/new album discussion
Post by: Got Haggis? on September 30, 2010, 11:18:17 am
show was great.  only complaint was the no AC - wasn't bad at first, but with the packed crowd got pretty hot and uncomfortable.  i think my hearing is finally back to mostly normal
Title: Re: Swans rollcall/new album discussion
Post by: azaghal1981 on September 30, 2010, 12:16:27 pm
They did turn the AC on briefly but right before the encore, Gira yelled out off-mic "can you turn that fucking AC off, please?" Weird request.
Title: Re: Swans rollcall/new album discussion
Post by: blipvurt on September 30, 2010, 12:32:48 pm
The upstairs' doors had signs on them that read "The AC has been turned off by request of the artist."

I'll have a picture of the sign in my review tomorrow.
Title: Re: Swans rollcall/new album discussion
Post by: Got Haggis? on September 30, 2010, 02:14:48 pm
yeah, i figured he wanted it to be uncomfortable
Title: Re: Swans rollcall/new album discussion
Post by: James Ford on September 30, 2010, 02:33:38 pm
Wow, that's real art, man.

yeah, i figured he wanted it to be uncomfortable
Title: Re: Swans rollcall/new album discussion
Post by: Vas Deferens on September 30, 2010, 03:46:16 pm


probably the loudest show i've been to at the black cat, and top 5 ever.

the sound was way better without my earplugs... ;)

http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2010/09/swans_played_th.html

Title: Re: Swans rollcall/new album discussion
Post by: azaghal1981 on September 30, 2010, 04:17:19 pm
How are your ears today, idiot?
Title: Re: Swans rollcall/new album discussion
Post by: Mr.Whippy on September 30, 2010, 04:55:50 pm
Should I be concerned if I didn't think the show was all that loud without earplugs?
Title: Re: Swans rollcall/new album discussion
Post by: azaghal1981 on September 30, 2010, 05:00:39 pm
That one? Yes.


Emphatically yes.
Title: Re: Swans rollcall/new album discussion
Post by: BookerT on September 30, 2010, 05:05:54 pm
i was standing in the back near the soundboard. didn't seem that overwhelmingly loud to me. maybe i was distracted by the heat. gira's master plan works to perfection. pretty brutal show, in a good way.
Title: Re: Swans rollcall/new album discussion
Post by: Vas Deferens on September 30, 2010, 05:35:45 pm
ahh, i was about 10 feet away from the left speakers...it was very loud, but not the kind of loud that hurts your ears...
Title: Re: Swans rollcall/new album discussion
Post by: blipvurt on September 30, 2010, 06:31:51 pm
I found it quite loud in the middle of the room standing next to you Mr. Whippy. I was kind of shocked you didn't have era plugs in for that one!
Title: Re: Swans rollcall/new album discussion
Post by: Got Haggis? on October 01, 2010, 08:50:31 am
yeah for the first few songs I was about 10 feet in front of the speakers...it was so loud that I moved back by the soundboard for the rest of the show (no earplugs for me either - hearing was shot in my right ear after the show for a few hours)

here is a short clip i recorded: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVfTXn0Gqao

edit: looks like BV is using my clip on their page, cool.  wish i recorded more and longer - i didn't think it was going to turn out as well as it did
Title: Re: Swans rollcall/new album discussion
Post by: blipvurt on October 01, 2010, 01:02:54 pm
SWANS review on We Love DC (with nice pics to boot!)

http://www.welovedc.com/2010/10/01/we-love-music-swans-black-cat-92910/

Enjoy!