Swans – The Great Annihilator

Surface noise and some popping occasionally (probably due to the marks on the record), packaging is pretty nice and record sounds about as good as I would want it to be.

Overall, 3.5/5

Bought this off the Young Gods site. Came with the Drainland digital download. I’m convinced that much of the hoopla concerning OG pressings can be chalked up to what one has grown accustomed to hearing (that or someone’s trying to boost sales for an OG, which I’ve seen on here more than once). Having gotten heavy into Swans post-remaster, I think this version completely smokes the OG. I’m definitely with Gira on this one. There’s a good chance I’d feel differently had I grown up on the original sound, but I think this thing sounds great on vinyl—better than I expected honestly. The original sounds kinda like it’s coming from the inside of a tin trash can, which I know some people like but I definitely prefer it mastered this way, no question. I have a few Swans LP’s and they are *very* hit or miss, so I was just kinda hoping for a passable copy to listen to on wax, but this sounds really really great to me considering the way it was recorded, the band’s sound at the time etc. As pleased as could be

Finally got a copy of this. Noticed the “Young God Records” on the back isn’t embossed like in the photo on this Discogs entry.

My copy arrived rather dirty (though much of it not immediately visible), resulting in near constant surface noise throughout on a first play. Both vinyls required several cleanings in order to sound presentable. Seems to be a problem with a lot of Optimal pressings.

mastering for vinyl not the best but its a decent sounding album

Purchased via Discogs; sealed from a store in Romania; by far one of my favorite Swans! I missed it when it was first released (I caught up after hearing the 2010 reboot).

We got some transcendent grooves here, folks... buckle in! Despite being (IMO) the heaviest album since Children of God, this is (IMO) as close to Swans-ian *shoe-gaze* as we get!

Hard tribal rhythms; meaty bass bounces; layered vocal tapestries; guitars rapidly churning aggressive drones... all swirling in a beautiful sonic fury.

For those who like it stark and dark... it has a healthy dose, with Gira as existential as usual; Jarboe has some stand-outs. It's a nice balance of a great band here in 1995!

I never heard the original vinyl, only reissued CD versions. This, on my Franken-Vintage set up, sounds absolutely banging! My copy had a couple of pops at one point, a minor crackle... but nothing to freak out over. It's worth it... and you know it.

Such a Beautiful Album but ruined by an unbelievable Bad pressing, Even After washing it there Are pops and crackles everywhere, such an dissapointment

Great album but I always considered Celebrity Lifestyle as a bit of a sellout, especially coming from a band that had already tried selling out and regretted it.

Am I the only one of the opinion that Mr. Gira's remaster of this album is far inferior in quality? Really, my biggest gripe is M/B/L/S... he ruins the hazy woozy trancy feel of the sound and sterilizes all components into echoey distance. Quite unsatisfying.

My favorite Swans album. It is their beautiful and grand album, which has ensured it stands up as a classic.
This version though is slightly disappointing. Sides 2, 3, and 4 all suffer a constant ticking, though side 1 is perfect. I cant comment on the remastering as I didnt A/B test with the CD, but the album sounded beautiful (and clicky)