Longest Swans post-2010 songs ranked
All 15 min+ tracks from studio recordings were considered. What's your favourite?
leaving meaning is great btw. |
| 1 |  | Swans
The Seer
A Piece of the Sky
Not the loudest, but probably the most beautiful Swans song. Immersive drones from the beginning, that bells (or whatever that is) part starting at 6:56 is pure gold, then the band kicks in with such a charming irregular harmonic motif which feels like a free stream of consciousness, and then the song is finished by a beautiful folk part. "Are you there?" |
| 2 |  | Swans
To Be Kind
Bring the Sun / Toussaint L'Ouverture
Heaviest post-hiatus song. Total annihilation. One chord held for 34 minutes with one massive part after another. Haunting quiet parts followed by disharmonic noise walls. I especially like the moment at the end, when it seems the song is over, but then the climax comes back in one final breath that completes this descent into hell. Physical experience of Swans' music at its best. |
| 3 | | Swans
To Be Kind
She Loves Us!
Another To Be Kind masterpiece. Perfect bass+drums groove in the first part, then the song goes completely into the disco music territory with some classic tribal shouting. Probably the most "dance" part of Swans' discography? Insane vocal performance by Mr. Gira. Brutal outro. |
| 4 | | Swans
The Seer
The Apostate
Perfect ending to The Seer. Truly scary track, perfect buildup, then the noise takes over and finally the dancing part, similar to the one in She Loves Us. Drum hits at the end feel like final nails hammered into your skull. Phenomenal. |
| 5 |  | Swans
The Glowing Man
Frankie M
My favourite song off The Glowing Man. Very catchy middle part with some drug nonmenclature. Heavy final part. The very first Swans' song I saw live btw. |
| 6 | | Swans
The Seer
The Seer
The beginning of this one is awesome, especially combined with the ambient short track The Wolf that comes before. Then classic one-chord buildup comes and earth-shattering noise beautifuly disintegrates into ambient drone with some amazing use of harmonica. |
| 7 | | Swans
The Glowing Man
The Glowing Man
Great track, but it feels like remix of the ones before. It is understandable, since these tracks emerged from the old ones played over and over during tours. Faster riff in the second half is great. |
| 8 | | Swans
The Glowing Man
Cloud Of Unknowing
Not a bad track by any means, but all these drones on The Glowing Man don't have same the same emotional impact on me like the first half of this list has. The slow swinging riff starting at 6:10 is nice though. |
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