Play the Velvet Underground’s “Sister Ray” at half-speed — go ahead, do it — and you’ve got Swans plus a sense of humor and the possibility that, if you just adjust the speed control, everything will get good. Take away the sense of humor and the speed control, and you’ve got Swans. In all probability, you’ve also got either a high threshold for crunching pain or a splitting headache. Well, that’s Swans: downtown New York arties, friends of the infinitely more imaginative Sonic Youth. Swans trudge through dragging tempos, 2/2 meters and low frequency mush, all the while howling about alienation and despair. Listening to their records isn’t like banging your head against a wall; it’s like banging your head against the side of a swimming pool — underwater.
Trouser Press
Swans – Biography + Discography + Videos
Show Review – Baby Dee + Swans at the Middle East
Circus Mort – Bio + Discography + Videos
Swans – Selected Discography
Skin + The World Of Skin – Biography + Discography + Videos
Swans 2010 Tour – More Reviews + Photos + Videos
Swans At Brooklyn Masonic Temple – Photos + Videos + Reviews
Beautiful People LTD + Blackmouth – Biography + Discography + Videos
Angels Of Light – Biography + Discography + Videos
MP3/Video Vault – Swans + Angels Of Light + Skin
Body Lovers + Body Haters – Biography + Discography + Videos
Poll – Best Swans Album
Swans Documentary + MTV Interview With Michael Gira/Jarboe
Young God Records – Profile + Sampler
Show Review -Sir Richard Bishop + Wovenhand + Swans at Royale Boston
