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Swans

Swans

United States · Formed 1982

Swans are an American experimental rock band formed in 1981 by singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Michael Gira. One of the few acts to emerge from the New York City–based no wave scene and stay intact into the next decade, Swans have become recognized for an ever-changing sound, exploring genres such as noise rock, post-punk, industrial and post-rock. Initially, their music was known for its sonic brutality and misanthropic lyrics. Following the addition of singer, songwriter and keyboardist Jarboe in 1986, Swans began to incorporate melody and intricacy into their music. Jarboe remained the band's only constant member with Gira and semi-constant guitarist Norman Westberg until their dissolution in 1997.

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Albums18

Birthing
A-

Birthing

2025·1 grade
The Beggar
B

The Beggar

2023·1 grade
leaving meaning.
B-

leaving meaning.

2019·1 grade
The Glowing Man
B+

The Glowing Man

2016·1 grade
To Be Kind
A

To Be Kind

2014·1 grade
The Seer
A-

The Seer

2012·2 grades
My Father Will Guide Me Up a Rope to the Sky

My Father Will Guide Me Up a Rope to the Sky

2010
Soundtracks for the Blind
A+

Soundtracks for the Blind

1996·2 grades
The Great Annihilator
A+

The Great Annihilator

1995·1 grade
Love of Life

Love of Life

1992
White Light From the Mouth of Infinity

White Light From the Mouth of Infinity

1991
The Burning World

The Burning World

1989
Children of God
A-

Children of God

1987·2 grades
Živi v Ljubljani

Živi v Ljubljani

1987
Holy Money
B+

Holy Money

1986·1 grade
Greed
A

Greed

1986·1 grade
Cop
A-

Cop

1984·1 grade
Filth
A

Filth

1983·2 grades

EPs6

Thank You Too

Thank You Too

2023
Oxygen

Oxygen

2014
Die Tür ist zu

Die Tür ist zu

1996
A Screw

A Screw

1986
Young God

Young God

1984
Swans

Swans

1982

Compilations12

Children of God / Feel Good Now

Children of God / Feel Good Now

2020
Soundtracks for the Blind / Die Tür ist zu

Soundtracks for the Blind / Die Tür ist zu

2018
The Great Annihilator / Drainland

The Great Annihilator / Drainland

2017
White Light From the Mouth of Infinity / Love of Life

White Light From the Mouth of Infinity / Love of Life

2015
Forever Burned

Forever Burned

2003
Filth / Body to Body, Job to Job

Filth / Body to Body, Job to Job

2000
Cop / Young God / Greed / Holy Money

Cop / Young God / Greed / Holy Money

1999
Various Failures 1988–1992

Various Failures 1988–1992

1999
Children of God / World of Skin

Children of God / World of Skin

1997
Cop / Young God

Cop / Young God

1992
Greed / Holy Money

Greed / Holy Money

1992
Body to Body, Job to Job

Body to Body, Job to Job

1991

Live Albums17

1986 Europe

1986 Europe

Newly Sentient Being

Newly Sentient Being

2026
Live Rope

Live Rope

2024
Fifteen Steps (Live, San Francisco ’86)

Fifteen Steps (Live, San Francisco ’86)

2022
Deliquescence

Deliquescence

2017
The Gate

The Gate

2015
Live at the Kitchen 1982/83

Live at the Kitchen 1982/83

2015
2014‐11‐28: Kosmonavt, Saint Petersburg, Russia

2014‐11‐28: Kosmonavt, Saint Petersburg, Russia

2014
Not Here / Not Now

Not Here / Not Now

2013
We Rose From Your Bed With the Sun in Our Head

We Rose From Your Bed With the Sun in Our Head

2012
Dead at All Tomorrow’s Parties

Dead at All Tomorrow’s Parties

2011
Swans Are Dead

Swans Are Dead

1998
Real Love

Real Love

1996
Kill the Child: 1985/1986/1987 Live

Kill the Child: 1985/1986/1987 Live

1995
Omniscience

Omniscience

1992
Anonymous Bodies in an Empty Room

Anonymous Bodies in an Empty Room

1990
Feel Good Now

Feel Good Now

1987

Demos2

Is There Really a Mind?

Is There Really a Mind?

2022
What Is This?

What Is This?

2019