Swans is a band from New York City, active from 1982 to 1997, reformed in 2010, founded & led by singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Michael Gira. Marginally associated with the no wave scene initially, their original sound was slow and extremely heavy, best heard on the live album Public Castration Is a Good Idea. By the time Swans released twin albums Greed and Holy Money the music had sped up. Drum machines and samples were slightly more prominent. Michael Gira was joined vocally by Jarboe which gave the band a broader sonic range.
Swans eventually broke up in 1997.
In 2010, Michael Gira re-formed the band. A notable change was that post-reunion Swans did not have Jarboe as part of their group, creating tonal differences between post-reunion albums and older albums.
Swans eventually broke up in 1997.
In 2010, Michael Gira re-formed the band. A notable change was that post-reunion Swans did not have Jarboe as part of their group, creating tonal differences between post-reunion albums and older albums.
TeknoPunc
July 16, 2022Sadly, and I know I'm not alone on this, the band that calls itself Swans today doesn't resemble the band I fell in love with at all. It's hard for me to articulate this in a way that doesn't sound like 'gatekeeping', but I'm confused by the audience that their post-2010 material seems to be targeted towards. Their second incarnation just sounds like boring post-rock to me... the post-industrial and post-punk elements evaporated into the ether. The sonic palette is dull and lifeless. I supported them on their first two tours post-reformation (My Father... and The Seer) and I ended up leaving early on the second date because I was so bored. Mind you, one of my favorite shows of all time was seeing SunnO))) so it's not that 45 minute drones are "too deep for me" or anything... it was just so goddamn boring.
Maybe my expectations are too high from my favorite band, but at some point in between the actual band Swans and the dissolution of Angels of Light (another band I don't like) Gira started courting the Pitchfork crowd and it shows. I've noticed that the new material has attracted an entirely new type of fanbase, and I'm happy for him that he's finally making lots of money off of his music, I just wish he'd not resurrected the Swans name for a project that has almost nothing in common with the entity that dissolved a quarter century ago. I miss the cool album artwork, the memorable lyricism, and especially Jarboe.
Much love to everyone who enjoys the post-2010 stuff, but I think it's tiresome and hollow.