domcaballero
Global Moderator
Workin' Man
STAY. BETWEEN. THE FLAGS.
Posts: 29
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Swans
Jun 4, 2013 6:58:46 GMT
Post by domcaballero on Jun 4, 2013 6:58:46 GMT
This is a thread about Swans.
For me, they peaked on Soundtracks for the Blind, made a belting return and ballsy style move with My Father... but have been fairly disappointing since.
What are peoples thoughts on the new material they were playing on the most recent tour?
I personally don't dig it, but maybe I'll come round. It just lacks structure and feels like half finished jams to me.
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deanxvx
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knifedoutofexistence
Posts: 4
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Swans
Jun 4, 2013 9:12:03 GMT
Post by deanxvx on Jun 4, 2013 9:12:03 GMT
I was loving the new material, but you know my views on the last tour.
I prefer earlier Filth/Holy Money era Swans, but completely respect everything they've done, and I think that they're one of the few bands to do the reunion thing right, eg. continue being a band rather than a tribute act to your past.
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Swans
Jun 4, 2013 9:45:20 GMT
Post by joel on Jun 4, 2013 9:45:20 GMT
When I think about Cop being released in 1984 (I think), it makes me wish I'd been there to hear it in the context of all the other music being released at the time. It must have seemed like the heaviest thing ever. Great band, feels like they've got a lifelong mission statement of 'always be devastating', and then spent their existence exploring how to achieve it in as many different ways as possible.
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Swans
Jun 4, 2013 21:30:28 GMT
Post by memorium on Jun 4, 2013 21:30:28 GMT
When I think about Cop being released in 1984 (I think), it makes me wish I'd been there to hear it in the context of all the other music being released at the time. It must have seemed like the heaviest thing ever. Great band, feels like they've got a lifelong mission statement of 'always be devastating', and then spent their existence exploring how to achieve it in as many different ways as possible. Admittedly, I've not listened to much Swans (I'm slowly rectifying this), but I rememebr reading about then and they were apparently part of the No Wave scene in New York, so it kinda makes sense, at least to me it does.
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deanxvx
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knifedoutofexistence
Posts: 4
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Swans
Jun 5, 2013 21:32:33 GMT
Post by deanxvx on Jun 5, 2013 21:32:33 GMT
When I think about Cop being released in 1984 (I think), it makes me wish I'd been there to hear it in the context of all the other music being released at the time. It must have seemed like the heaviest thing ever. Great band, feels like they've got a lifelong mission statement of 'always be devastating', and then spent their existence exploring how to achieve it in as many different ways as possible. Admittedly, I've not listened to much Swans (I'm slowly rectifying this), but I rememebr reading about then and they were apparently part of the No Wave scene in New York, so it kinda makes sense, at least to me it does. They were definitely around that New York scene at that time, depends how rigid your definition of No Wave is. They toured with Sonic Youth just before Confusion Is Sex came out.
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Swans
Jun 5, 2013 22:15:09 GMT
Post by memorium on Jun 5, 2013 22:15:09 GMT
Admittedly, I've not listened to much Swans (I'm slowly rectifying this), but I rememebr reading about then and they were apparently part of the No Wave scene in New York, so it kinda makes sense, at least to me it does. They were definitely around that New York scene at that time, depends how rigid your definition of No Wave is. They toured with Sonic Youth just before Confusion Is Sex came out. My definition isn't that rigid, I just consider No Wave to be the experimental music/art scene that was going on in New York at that time, it was never really a genre from what I've heard. Sonic Youth were pretty much straight up Noise/Post-Punk back then, same with a lot of the bands involved, I just remember someone associating Swans with that scene, which is how I found out about them.
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deanxvx
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knifedoutofexistence
Posts: 4
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Swans
Jun 5, 2013 22:50:23 GMT
Post by deanxvx on Jun 5, 2013 22:50:23 GMT
They were definitely around that New York scene at that time, depends how rigid your definition of No Wave is. They toured with Sonic Youth just before Confusion Is Sex came out. My definition isn't that rigid, I just consider No Wave to be the experimental music/art scene that was going on in New York at that time, it was never really a genre from what I've heard. Sonic Youth were pretty much straight up Noise/Post-Punk back then, same with a lot of the bands involved, I just remember someone associating Swans with that scene, which is how I found out about them. Sonic Youth were so good back then. Inspired me, along with countless others I'm sure, to pick up a guitar, not play it and jam a screwdriver under the strings. Yeah they were definitely very closely associated with that scene, pretty sure Micheal Gira and Lydia Lunch did something together around then too.
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Swans
Jun 5, 2013 23:48:05 GMT
Post by jpadurariu on Jun 5, 2013 23:48:05 GMT
I saw them play at Primavera last week and I can quite honestly say it was one of the best shows I have ever seen - kept me rooted to the spot and paying full attention for two and a half hours. I've tried writing about it a couple of times since, but no luck, they totally carved out their own phenomenal, massive interpretation of heavy from their instruments in a manner which flat out makes everything else look flimsy and average. But for the most part, be arsed listening to them on record.
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Swans
Jun 6, 2013 4:59:42 GMT
Post by guy on Jun 6, 2013 4:59:42 GMT
My definition of No Wave was that it was done n dusted by the start of the eighties. The prime movers of the 'scene' had moved on and disowned it by then anyway. Post No Wave would more accurately describe Swans in my book, along with a whole bunch of other bands who were obviously influenced it.
I saw Swans play Leeds Poly 23rd Oct 1987 & frankly it's ruined ever gig I've ever been to since. It literally rendered me & the two people I was with speechless - we'd driven over from Hull & not one of us spoke a word on the hour long journey home. The sheer power of the music, not just in volume (but that as well) was mind blowing. I know I'll never experience the like of it again. Even seeing The Butthole Surfers a couple of months later with Gibby in full flow & a backdrop of films of penis' being dissected or operated on was lame lame lame in comparison.
I still love their new stuff & am stoked they've nailed the come back such that The Seer was pretty much most websites stand out album of last year, but they'll forever seem like a pale imitation of their former selves to me.
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