Thanks.

I'm just glad I'm seeing so many people getting into the Swans for the first time after hearing this album. Not counting the people on this board who've said as much, I have a number of friends who claim they never really listened to the band until now.

I would probably rank it above soundtracks, but that may still be due to the novelty of it. Time will tell. But heading into December, it has more or less guaranteed itself a top three position for me.

Swans Music Hall of Williamsburg show, originally cancelled due to fuckin Sandy, rescheduled for February 4

where do you guys recommend one would start with the swans album-wise?

The Seer. Yes it is that good.

My father will guide me up a rope to the sky. I havent got The Seer yet but its length is probably an issue for a first time listener.
Of the earlier stuff, you cant go wrong with Cop or Filth.

I know this is wrong but I keep listening to CD1 of Seer over and over again, and I'm waiting to get into CD2 at a later date. CD2 will act as a kind of bonus CD to end all bonus CDs. If the album ended at CD1 I'd give it 5 stars. It is so perfectly paced and realized. I keep dreaming that Sonic Youth reunite in 2018 and put out this recording. The 32min title track has a very Sonic Youth vibe to it imho.

No album is perfect. That Karen O song should have ended the album, fuck.

I find the 2nd CD of The Seer to be a little better as it has The Apostate, might I say the best Swans studio recorded song since perhaps The Sound. (and you should listen to the vinyl tracklisting, flows much much better)

Recently I've been on a Swans live album mania. 'Swans Are Dead' is unbelievable. Phenomenal live renditions, most better than studio versions, like Blood Promise, hence my username. And Jarboe absolutely beats Gira on I Crawled.

Someone just asked me this yesterday, and I told him to work from the Seer back. Or to just pick up Seer and Soundtracks for the Blind, and if he was into it, go wherever the wind took him from there.

The Great Annihilator popped my cherry, but it didn't turn me into a fan off the bat. maybe start with the seer b/c it's everybody's favorite thing in the world right now, so you'll be in on the discussion??

I think you can't go wrong with Children of God as an introduction. It has a bit of everything. From teeth clenching to soft beautiful tunes.

I still love Cop the mostest. Beyond that, the last two albums are my favorite.

This was posted to Jarboe's facebook:


Focusing on the history, Jarboe has asked me to announce the following: 7 January 2013 England. Harry Crosby bass player on Filth, Cop, etc... has died. "The first 'Swan' has died" she said to me last night...

- Moselle

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02FtEjZ8T_Q
this account has several old full shows on.