White Light from the Mouth of Infinity is the seventh studio album by the American band Swans.[4][5] It was released in 1991, through the record label Young God. The band supported the album with a North American tour.[6]

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

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[7]
Los Angeles Times[8]
Mojo[9]
Pitchfork7.9/10[2]
Spin Alternative Record Guide5/10[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."[8]

AllMusic described the album as "stunning" and a "clear starting point for the second half of Swans' unique career."[7]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Michael Gira

No.TitleLength
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
2015 Remaster version
No.TitleLength
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

  1. ^ Terich, Jeff; Bossenger, A.T. (November 13, 2014). "10 Essential American post-punk albums". Treble. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c Sherburne, Philip (December 2, 2015). "Swans: White Light from the Mouth of Infinity / Love of Life". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 4, 2015.
  3. ^ Lariviere, Aaron (November 9, 2012). "Swans Albums From Worst To Best - White Light from the Mouth of Infinity". Stereogum. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
  4. ^ "Swans". Trouser Press. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  5. ^ Unsworth, Cathi (April 27, 1991). "White Light from the Mouth of Infinity by Swans". Melody Maker. 68 (17): 36.
  6. ^ Buttars, Lori (April 24, 1992). "Swans dive into town". The Salt Lake Tribune. p. D6.
  7. ^ a b Raggett, Ned. "White Light from the Mouth of Infinity - Swans | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved February 20, 2013.
  8. ^ a b Hochman, Steve (January 5, 1992). "In Brief". Calendar. Los Angeles Times. p. 57.
  9. ^ Perry, Andrew (February 2016). "Swans: White Light From The Mouth Of Infinity/ Love of Life". Mojo. No. 267. p. 104.
  10. ^ Spin Alternative Record Guide. Vintage Books. 1995. pp. 390, 391.
  11. ^ "Ultratop.be – Swans – White Light from the Mouth of Infinity" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
Allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Light_from_the_Mouth_of_Infinity
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