ajejebrazorf

I mean, was De Gregori supposed to collaborate with the penis?

Great album, but I haven't really delved into it; I definitely need to listen to it again, so I can't give a very precise comment on the album... However, I'm not sure how fitting the comparison between Jarboe and Galas is: for me, they're both extraordinary, even though there are many differences. Clearly, Jarboe dreams of Galas’s amazing technique, but she has a timbre and a personality that are absolutely worthy of Nico, I place her on the same level. In short, for me, they are two of the greatest modern singers, without beating around the bush. I laughed a lot when I saw the photos on the website that give an idea of the evolution of woman Jarboe: 1. angelic and happy little girl 2. sweet melancholic teenager 3. rebellious and restless woman 4. diabolical sadomasochistic whore come from hell. I eagerly await the fifth phase.

TORTOISE "Millions now living will never die" (City Slang)
If you remember what I wrote at the end of the section dedicated to Tortoise in the last issue of Blow Up, it seems that the circle connecting the various musicians from the Louisville/ex Slint area is closing increasingly: David Pajo (indeed, former Slint) has joined the lineup in place of Bundy K. Brown, further complicating the web of collaborations. The new CD Millions Now Living Will Never Die unfortunately falls far short of expectations (which were quite high); the magic and balance of the first album and the boldness of the remixes had led us to hope for a brave and forward-thinking band, while here we witness an involution not only of sound but in time: do you believe me if I tell you that the point of reference now becomes even Mike Oldfield? No? Listen to the twenty minutes of the opening track Djed, a gigantic ball based on tidy rhythms and cumbersome xylophone (which ultimately sounds like a failed mash-up of the Doors’ Riders on the Storm, the already mentioned Oldfield, and Porcupine Tree) and then we can talk again. The overall atmospheres shift more towards ambient and new age, but overwhelmingly the worst progressive aromas make their way in, with generally relaxed rhythms and assorted banalities in good quantity; a big disappointment, in short. Something does happen in Glass Museum and Along the Banks of Rivers, but honestly this CD is an episode to forget, where the already heard dominates and takes charge. Count it among the most bitter disappointments of the year. (5) (Stefano I. Bianchi)

Chiavone, forgive me but... are you talking to me?

eh?

Hey Simon, what’s up, did I say something wrong? I don’t even like divisions into genres, but sometimes they’re just convenient for understanding each other. Can you imagine me “reducing” the Swans to anything…

Despite its length, I read it with pleasure: however, I truly hope that you don’t go out of your way in the future to maintain the prestige of the name evoked by your nickname: couldn’t you have called yourself Haiku?

Question for anyone passing by: are there other groups besides Swans that combine the two heaviest genres (metal and industrial) with the two darkest genres (gothic and dark)?

Yes Sdreuss, and you understood everything. Kisses and hugs.

Wonderful review, but I am definitely biased: it brought up one of my all-time favorite bands. Jarboe is undoubtedly the greatest heir to Nico, and Gira is a great counterpart to Cave (real love would be perfect for the Australian). The Swans are one of the few bands whose work is truly worth any effort; I even really like the much-maligned Skins. But what do you think of Filth and especially Cop?
Children of God may be a more "balanced" work (since we’re talking about Swans, the quotation marks are a must), but I prefer the extremism (I personally haven’t heard anything so dark and heavy) of those two magnificent albums. One little note: why do all (ALL) of you use phrases like "a delicate lullaby for her siren voice" for "In my garden"? I find it absolutely chilling; if a zombie sang it, I would find it more comforting and less sinister. In fact, I would add that this and "Blood And Honey" are two absolute masterpieces of gothic singing, truly to make even the most somber Nico envious…