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New York City, New York, United States (1982 – 1997, 2010 – present)

Swans is a band from New York City, New York, United States, active from 1982 to 1997, reformed in 2010, led by singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Michael Gira.

Marginally associated with the scene at first, their original sound was slow and heavy, with live performances that were often so brutal and physical that in a number of instances certain audience members were made ill, police were called and venues were shut down. This early physical sound is possibly best heard on the live album Public Castration Is a Good Idea.

Their initial style shifted a little by the time Swans released seminal twin albums Greed and Holy Money. The music had sped up, at times being even more punishing than their earlier output. Drum machines and samples were slightly more prominent. Michael Gira was joined vocally by Jarboe which gave the band a broader sonic range. Tracks featuring Jarboe were often quieter, even pretty, acting as counterpoint to the more harrowing themes on the albums. Over time, this style would come to dominate the Swans’ output, although they somehow seem to have been able to make a strummed acoustic guitar seem as brutal as their earlier amped-up assaults. The lush instrumentation of their albums from the late 1980s and the 1990’s anticipated the birth of post-rock.

Swans eventually broke up in 1997; Gira went on to release some solo work, later forming the band The Angels of Light, who continue many of the themes and styles found in (later) Swans. Jarboe releases solo work and frequently works with other bands and artists; recently she released an album with Neurosis, a group clearly heavily influenced by Swans.
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Top Albums

  • Children of God
    Swans Play
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  • The Great Annihilator
    Swans Play
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  • White Light From the Mouth of Infinity
    Swans Play
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  • Filth
    Swans Play
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Top Tracks

1
Jim
409
2
365
3
335
4
318
5
304
6
298
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296
8
294
9  
274
10
267
11
265
12
260
13  
244
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15
240
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  • BenzoMay44

    If this album is really 2 hours long and that's not some bullshit about a bonus DVD, then I hope it's going to be on par with Soundtracks For The Blind in terms of it's epic quality. If it's 2 hours and has ten tracks that means the average track length is 12 minutes, which is fucking awesome. Sign me up for the 3xLP and a ticket to their next tour.

    5 minutes ago

  • HeadShoteR

    http://www.factmag.com/2012/05/29/new-swans-album-to-feature-karen-o/

    1 hour ago

  • ModestFloyd

    Now we just wait for the leak

    11 hours ago

  • bloodmaw

    way too excited for the seer

    13 hours ago

  • stevehazzard

    Thequietus.com just put up the tracklist for The Seer.

    14 hours ago

  • Aevitasm

    Especially in their No Wave stuff.

    yesterday afternoon

  • Aevitasm

    Definitely a huge The National resemblance. I also hear subtle Animal Collective influences.

    yesterday afternoon

  • Laurora1983

    the national.................................................. ...................... ..

    yesterday afternoon
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the Wire | Soundcheck: My Father Will Guide Me Up A Rope To The Sky

25 Aug 2010 | from blog.myspace.com/swansaredead

The blank beauty of Michael Gira's Swans is reborn through the great unlearning of songform. By Keith MolinéSwansMy Father Will Guide Me Up A Rope To The SkyYoung God CD/DL/LP Michael Gira's …

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