Swans have never shied away from the fact that their songs are punishing. Many of them last as long as your average punk LP, and very few offer straightforward sonic hits. But tedious and tiresome they are not. Investing in Swans’ music requires patience, but the process is rewarding.
That has been the case with the band’s previous two releases, ‘The Seer’ and ‘To Be Kind’, and ‘The Glowing Man’ is no different. The final statement by this version of the band is a circuitous exploration of the murky depths of humanity, and like its predecessors it requires persistence to be fully enjoyed.
How many albums have songs longer than 20 minutes? This one has three. The first, Cloud of Unknowing, features everything you’d expect from a Swans song of such length: relentless circular riffs, a panoply of embellishments and an almost palpable sense of atmospherics. It serves as testament to the band’s commitment to producing unique, almost orchestral music.
Much can be said about the record’s lengthier numbers, but its more compact moments certainly shouldn’t be overlooked. The haunting standout When Will I Return features vocals by Gira’s wife, Jennifer, and navigates her experience of sexual assault: "His hands are on my throat. My key is in his eye." Given LarkinGrimm’sallegations against Gira, the song bears extra weight here.
The fact that a line will be drawn under a period in Swans’ history following this record gives it a certain solemnity not found in their immediate back catalogue. “All creation is hollow, and a picture's a shadow,” is perhaps the most poignant line in the aptly-titled Finally, Peace.
‘The Glowing Man’ is the third in a set of records that exercises an in-depth examination of what it is to be alive, for better or for worse. And in that, Swans succeed. Their music may require time and dedication, but just like a long journey, you’re almost guaranteed to get something out of it.
Swans Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Sat October 08 2016 - BRIGHTON Concorde 2
Sun October 09 2016 - MANCHESTER O2 Ritz
Tue October 11 2016 - GLASGOW Oran Mor
Wed October 12 2016 - NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE Northumbria University
Thu October 13 2016 - LONDON Islington Assembly Hall
Fri October 14 2016 - LONDON Islington Assembly Hall
Click here to compare & buy Swans Tickets at Stereoboard.com.
We don't run any advertising! Our editorial content is solely funded by lovely people like yourself using Stereoboard's listings when buying tickets for live events. To keep supporting us, next time you're looking for concert, festival, sport or theatre tickets, please search for "Stereoboard". It costs you nothing, you may find a better price than the usual outlets, and save yourself from waiting in an endless queue on Friday mornings as we list ALL available sellers!