White Light from the Mouth of Infinity
1991 studio album by Swans
White Light from the Mouth of Infinity | ||||
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Studio album by Swans | ||||
Released | 1991 | |||
Recorded | September 1990 – February 1991 | |||
Studio | B. Monster Studios, New York City, United States | |||
Genre |
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Length | 69:19 | |||
Label | Young God | |||
Producer | Michael Gira | |||
Swans chronology | ||||
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White Light from the Mouth of Infinity is the seventh album by the American experimental rock band Swans.[3][4] It was released in 1991, through the record label Young God. The band supported the album with a North American tour.[5]
In 2015, it was remastered and made available digitally and in a 3CD (and 3LP) set along with Love of Life and an album of bonus tracks.
Critical reception
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Los Angeles Times | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Mojo | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Pitchfork | 7.9/10[9] |
Spin Alternative Record Guide | 5/10[10] |
The Los Angeles Times wrote that Michael Gira's "search for heaven and hell—in both mind and body—continues on its fascinating, sometimes harrowing way."[7]
AllMusic described the album as "stunning" and a "clear starting point for the second half of Swans' unique career."[6]
Track listing
All tracks are written by Michael Gira
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Better Than You" | 5:51 |
2. | "Power and Sacrifice" | 5:37 |
3. | "You Know Nothing" | 5:46 |
4. | "Song for Dead Time" | 5:24 |
5. | "Will We Survive" | 6:51 |
6. | "Love Will Save You" | 6:06 |
7. | "Failure" | 6:20 |
8. | "Song for the Sun" | 5:03 |
9. | "Miracle of Love" | 6:43 |
10. | "When She Breathes" | 5:03 |
11. | "Why Are We Alive?" | 5:29 |
12. | "The Most Unfortunate Lie" | 5:02 |
Total length: | 69:19 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Better Than You" | 5:51 |
2. | "Power and Sacrifice" | 5:36 |
3. | "You Know Nothing" | 5:46 |
4. | "Song for Dead Time" (alternate version) | 4:58 |
5. | "Will We Survive" (edited version) | 5:59 |
6. | "Love Will Save You" | 6:06 |
7. | "Failure" | 6:20 |
8. | "Song for the Sun" | 5:03 |
9. | "Miracle of Love" | 6:43 |
10. | "Blind" (bonus track on reissue) | 4:31 |
11. | "When She Breathes" (alternate version) | 4:31 |
12. | "Why Are We Alive?" (extended version) | 6:00 |
13. | "The Most Unfortunate Lie" | 5:02 |
Total length: | 72:26 |
Personnel
- Michael Gira – vocals, backing vocals, acoustic guitar, keyboards, effects, samples, production
- Jarboe – vocals, backing vocals, keyboards, choral and orchestral arrangements
- Christoph Hahn – acoustic and electric guitar
- Clinton Steele – acoustic and electric guitar
- Norman Westberg – electric guitar on "Better than You"
- Jenny Wade – bass guitar
- Anton Fier – drums, drum programming
- Nicky Skopelitis – acoustic and electric guitar, baglama, bazouki, banjo
- Vincent Signorelli – percussion
- Hahn Rowe – violin
- Steve Burgh – mandolin, 12-string guitar
- J. G. Thirlwell – engineering, re-mix assistance, programming and co-production on "Power and Sacrifice"
- Bryce Goggin – engineering
- Steve McAllister – engineering, programming (additional)
- Deryk Thomas – front cover illustration
- John Sarfell – inner sleeve foldout painting
- Patricia Mooney – sleeve layout
- Brian Martin – re-mixing
- Alex Armitage – re-mix assistance
Charts
Chart (2016) | Peak position |
---|---|
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[11] | 195 |
References
- ^ Terich, Jeff; Bossenger, A.T. (November 13, 2014). "10 Essential American post-punk albums". Treble. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
- ^ Lariviere, Aaron (November 9, 2012). "Swans Albums From Worst To Best - White Light from the Mouth of Infinity". Stereogum. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
- ^ "Swans". Trouser Press. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
- ^ Unsworth, Cathi (April 27, 1991). "White Light from the Mouth of Infinity by Swans". Melody Maker. 68 (17): 36.
- ^ Buttars, Lori (April 24, 1992). "Swans dive into town". The Salt Lake Tribune. p. D6.
- ^ a b Raggett, Ned. "White Light from the Mouth of Infinity - Swans | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved February 20, 2013.
- ^ a b Hochman, Steve (January 5, 1992). "In Brief". Calendar. Los Angeles Times. p. 57.
- ^ Perry, Andrew (February 2016). "Swans: White Light From The Mouth Of Infinity/ Love of Life". Mojo. No. 267. p. 104.
- ^ Sherburne, Philip (December 2, 2015). "Swans: White Light from the Mouth of Infinity / Love of Life". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 4, 2015.
- ^ Spin Alternative Record Guide. Vintage Books. 1995. pp. 390, 391.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – Swans – White Light from the Mouth of Infinity" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
External links
- White Light from the Mouth of Infinity at Discogs (list of releases)
- v
- t
- e
Swans
- Filth
- Cop
- Greed
- Holy Money
- Children of God
- The Burning World
- White Light from the Mouth of Infinity
- Love of Life
- The Great Annihilator
- Soundtracks for the Blind
- My Father Will Guide Me Up a Rope to the Sky
- The Seer
- To Be Kind
- The Glowing Man
- Leaving Meaning
- The Beggar
- I Am Not Insane
- We Rose from Your Bed with the Sun in Our Head
- Not Here / Not Now
- The Gate
- What Is This?
- Is There Really a Mind?
- Public Castration Is a Good Idea
- Feel Good Now
- Anonymous Bodies in an Empty Room
- Real Love
- Omniscience
- Kill the Child
- Swans Are Dead
- We Rose from Your Bed with the Sun in Our Head
- Not Here / Not Now
- The Gate
- Deliquescence
- Swans
- Young God
- A Screw
- Love Will Tear Us Apart
- Die Tür ist zu
- Oxygen
- "Time Is Money (Bastard)"
- "New Mind"
- "Can't Find My Way Home"
- "Saved"
- "Paradise Is Mine"
- Discography
- Young God Records
- Angels of Light
- The Body Lovers / The Body Haters
- Cop Shoot Cop
- Of Cabbages and Kings
- Prong
- Sulfur
- Unsane
- World of Skin
- Where Does a Body End?