The Burning World
by Swans

I listened to this again and loved it so F--- ME for my previous comment. Whenever Swans comes up and this album is mentioned, ppl usually only point to 1 or 2 tracks that they like BUT THEY MENTION DIFFERENT TRACKS. There are plenty of great ones on here - Mona Lisa, Universal Emptiness, Saved, Jane Mary, See No More, and God Damn the Sun are all excellent. Ppl tend to like Let It Come Down too, but I just don't like how similar the riff is to one by Joy Division. (The initial reason I disliked this album was b/c I thought the best song was Let It Come Down but I couldn't appreciate it for this fact).

It's easy to dismiss this album as an inferior White Light but that's an extremely unfair comparison in reality. That's a flawless album and it came later. If you're expecting heavier music b/c you're listening to their discography in order you'll be disappointed. If you've heard their later albums and expect that, you'll be disappointed b/c it's not quite as good. But after you know what this album is, after it sinks in and you give it some time b4 coming back to it, you'll wonder how you were so disappointed with it. (Probably b/c you expect the world b/c Swans are amazing)

Expect a great goth rock/world music hybrid album and you'll get it. Gira himself doesn't like it but that's just b/c the producer had his hands in it (which I'm grateful for b/c the session musicians he brought in do an amazing job - they just aren't usually combined with anything Swans-like but this is what makes it so unique for its time).

I also hated this album at first but now I love it so don't make an ass out of yourself like I did and judge it too harshly and quickly (see my first comment on it, lol). Give it time.

@jackbrown8786

I hadn't noticed before, but you're right. Let It Come Down has the same riff as Candidate by Joy Division.

the riff on the 2nd track is way too reminiscent of another from Unknown Pleasures. I want to give it 0 stars on principle. it completely ruins the whole album for me. it makes me sick that it's by far the best riff on the album too.... and that's not the only influence here either, unfortunately. this is the only Swans release I'm disappointed in though.

I'm sure there's more here but I'm just too biased to see it with the horrible taste in my mouth that the 2nd track left me with. no way is there just absolutely nothing of a plus side to this record. I can usually find SOMETHING positive to say. this is on me. somebody please correct me, there have to be worthwhile bits and pieces here and there.

From NoeSSS 06/30/2016 00:51 | #170162

I just don't get this album, a lot of people won't get this album.

From Anti 06/27/2015 21:07 | #144699

Definitely my least favorite album in Swans' discography. It's not terrible, but the vocal performances are their worst and the gothic rock wasn't doing much for me.

From koner1 08/29/2014 21:00 | #120765

it was pleasant on first listen but didnt blow me away

It's Boxer before The National! It's High Violet too!

It's not a bad album as everyone thinks, it's just different, but really good record imo.

From lightmyway 10/11/2012 23:38 | #52140

Found a box of CDs I forgot I owned, in storage today. Among them are my Swans albums. This takes me way back. I thought they were a country-goth band for years after hearing 'Saved' on the radio one time, but then I eventually gave Soundtracks for the Blind a shot after some friends started talking about it and I found something... very different. They're definitely one of the weirdest bands I have but their music is great to listen to if you're in the right mood.