nonmetaphorical

But before we go anywhere else! Here's the first Swans album I ever heard, having heard nothing about them before and with no idea as to how it'd sound...

Before the Swans go goth and dreamy, they have one last little foray into the art of industrial music. You know I mentioned that problem I had with Greed and Holy Money? It was down to this. This semi-official live album which introduced me to the live thing Swans has always done: destroy the song and re-build it into something ... read more

Featuring two mixes of "dance parody that's actually danceable" A Screw is this thing. Single? EP? Not too sure on that one. What I can tell you is that neither mix this has matters in the long run. It's in the other track on here - once again, the only one with Jarboe on lead vocals.

I imagine Gira knew he had to change things up eventually. At some point, he'd find that person who'd help change trajectory, turn the Swans into more graceful-seeming musicians. ... read more

Once again, cover just about sums it up.

That aside, Holy Money is pretty much the same as Greed, musically. They even share songs! Different-ish versions, but the message still stands. Gira seems to think of them as intertwined too, and once re-issued them as such. Only real difference I could tell you of is that this one's a little more goth, as in Jarboe now has a song where she's done lead vocals (track two). Probably my favourite on here as a result. Coward, A Hanging, Another ... read more

Cover just about sums it up.

That aside, we have a change in direction once again! New chanteuse Jarboe on backing vocals and piano; a goth tint suddenly added to the Swans (particularly on opener Fool)! But it lacks strength as a result. The lyrics are more on the self and domination, rather than rape and mutilation, rendering this a lighter listen than everything before it. And then the instruments sound a little asleep at the wheel, especially compared to how this whole industrial thing ... read more