The Burning World (album)
The Burning World | ||||
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Brooklyn, New York) | ||||
Genre | ||||
Length | 44:13 | |||
Label | Uni | |||
Producer | ||||
Swans chronology | ||||
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Singles from Swans | ||||
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The Burning World is the sixth studio album by American experimental rock band Swans. It was released in 1989, through record label Uni Records, the band's only major-label release. Co-produced by Bill Laswell and band leader Michael Gira, the album features a major stylistic shift from their past releases, being very tuneful and accessible compared to the bleak, industrialized sound from their past records. It received a mixed reception and was a commercial disappointment; the band was dropped from the record label following its poor performance.
Background and music
Following the unexpected popularity of the band's cover of
The album's style has been described as "acoustic-folk",[4] "'world music' rock with electric shadings",[1] "psychedelic rock equally lush and dark"[5] and "dark Americana".[6] Laswell's production work also weights on the album's sound,[7] with "a much more somber, elegiac approach to music-making."[5] The album also features the first vocal duets between Gira and Jarboe. According to Thom Jurek of AllMusic, guitarist Norman Westberg "played as much acoustic guitar as electric guitar on the record" and Jarboe's keyboards mostly "floated through the mix."[8]
Despite appreciating Laswell's production work in general, Gira was critical of The Burning World. In 2011, he stated: "I abhor that record. Bill Laswell is a very good producer, but we didn't mesh well. I was intimidated and sang in this cramped, monotone way. It didn't sell, and we got dropped."
Critical reception
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [1] |
Spin Alternative Record Guide | 6/10[12] |
The album received mixed to positive reviews from music critics, who often criticized Bill Laswell's production.
Commercial performance
While the album reportedly sold only 5,000 copies in the United Kingdom,
Track listing
All tracks are written by Michael Gira, except "Can't Find My Way Home", written by Steve Winwood
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "The River that Runs with Love Won't Run Dry" | 4:16 |
2. | "Let It Come Down" | 4:28 |
3. | "Can't Find My Way Home" (Blind Faith cover) | 4:48 |
4. | "Mona Lisa, Mother Earth" | 4:16 |
5. | "(She's A) Universal Emptiness" | 4:02 |
Total length: | 21:50 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
6. | " Saved " | 4:11 |
7. | "I Remember Who You Are" | 4:24 |
8. | "Jane Mary, Cry One Tear" | 3:51 |
9. | "See No More" | 5:30 |
10. | "God Damn the Sun" | 4:23 |
Total length: | 22:19 |
Personnel
- Michael Gira – vocals, guitar, production, album cover concept and design
- Jarboe – vocals, keyboards
- Norman Westberg – guitar
- Jason Asnes – bass guitar
- Virgil Moorefield – drums
- Nicky Skopelitis – bağlama, bouzouki
- L. Shankar – double violin
- Fred Frith – violin
- Jeff Bova – keyboards
- Aïyb Dieng – percussion
- Trilok Gurtu – tabla
- Bernard Fowler – background vocals
- Fred Fowler – background vocals
- Karl Berger – vibraphone, string arrangement, conducting
- Mark Feldman – violin
- Larry Packer – violin
- John Kass – viola
- Richard Carr – viola
- Garo Yellin – cello
- Bill Laswell – production, bass guitar
- Bruce Calder – recording
- Martin Bisi – recording
- Robert Musso – recording
- Jason Corsaro – mixing
- Oz Fritz – engineering assistance
- mastering
- DZN, The Design Group – sleeve artwork
- Vartan – sleeve art direction
- Wim V. D. Hulst – back cover photography
- Robert Mapplethorpe – front cover photography (Calla Lilly)
References
- ^ a b c d e Raggett, Ned. "The Burning World – Swans : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
- ^ a b Nasrallah, Dimitri (October 24, 2010). "Michael Gira: From Uncompromising Swans to Ethereal Angels of Light Page 3". Exclaim!. Retrieved September 22, 2014.
- ^ Mamone, Jordan N. (August 14, 2012). "Bringing In The String Section With Michael Gira". Vice. Retrieved September 22, 2014.
- ^ Hampton, Justin (January 22, 1997). "Swan Song: The End of the Swans' 15-Year Flight". Washington City Paper. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved September 22, 2014.
- ^ a b Lariviere, Aaron (November 9, 2012). "Swans Albums From Worst To Best". Stereogum. Retrieved September 22, 2014.
- ^ Terich, Jeff (September 26, 2013). "Beginner's Guide: Swans". Treblezine. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
- ^ Wodskou, Chris (November 1999). "Bill Laswell". Exclaim!. Retrieved September 22, 2014.
- ^ Jurek, Thom. "Swans". AllMusic. Retrieved September 22, 2014.
- ^ a b Mojo (208): 56. March 2011.
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(help) - ^ ""Swans - The Burning World" on Amazon". Amazon. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
- ^ Zevolli, Giuseppe (March 17, 2014). "DiS Does Singles: The Best Songs You've Never Heard". Drowned in Sound. Archived from the original on August 10, 2016. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
- ISBN 0-679-75574-8.
- ^ O'Dair, Marcus (July 16, 2009). "Bill Laswell's Method of Defiance". The Quietus. Retrieved September 22, 2014.
- ^ Leland, John; Sheridan, David; Kenny, Glenn; Frampton, Scott. "Swans". Trouser Press. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
- ^ Passatino, Rosemary (August 1989). "Swans: Burning World". Spin. 5 (5): 82.
- ^ Parker, Chris (September 6, 2012). "Swans Reboot Sinister Grandeur". Phoenix New Times. Retrieved September 22, 2014.
External links
- The Burning World at Discogs (list of releases)