Swans "Love Of Life" 1992****

The Swans became initially known as an experimental noise-rock band that sprung out of New York's No Wave scene, an early incarnation of them also featuring Sonic Youth's Thurston Moore. The driving force of the band was guitarist/vocalist Michael Gira, but for a long period of time, he shared vocal and songwriting duties with keyboardist Jarboe. Jarboe's presence in the band coincided with a mellower acoustic sound - let's call it dark folk. This is only one of the ingredients in the (delicious) musical swan soup we're served here, however. Industrial, Goth and New Wave are just as vital. The presence of two lead vocalists allows us to change moods, as Jarboe's lighter, melodic vocals are counteracted by Gira's sombre baritone. Opener "Love Of Life" is a winner, dark yet accessible, propelled by tribal drums reminiscent of Joy Division or Siouxsie and the Banshees. "The Golden Boy That Was Swallowed By The Sea" is a dramatic ballad, this time with a whiff of pornography-era Cure. Curiously enough, Gira's tone also reminds me of the Byzantine psalms I grew up hearing in (Greek Orthodox) church. The album is interspersed with (unnamed) spoken word or musical snippets and, after two of those, we hear the first Jarboe lead vocal, a beautiful ballad with piano called "The Other Side Of The World". "Her" also starts off as a romantic acoustic number, but it is interrupted halfway by buzzsaw electric guitars and brutal drumming, later giving way to a teenage girl in the 60's speaking about the musical and youth revolution that went down in history as Summer Of Love. "The Sound Of Freedom" is a folkier song with a ringing quality that takes me back to Velvet Underground's debut. "Amnesia" is a goth rocker with hints of Joy Division and Sisters Of Mercy, also featuring some snaky oriental keyboard. "Identity" is an eerie atmospheric piece narrated by a child. After another short interlude, we continue with "In The Eyes Of Nature", another dramatic goth piece with pounding drums and pianos and atmospheric synths. After those, "She Crys (For Spider)" is like balsam, with its gorgeous melody and angelic Jarboe vocal. "God Loves America" is a funereal ballad lamenting the natural disasters brought by greed and consumerism: "All across America/The poison fires glow/And in the blood of our procreation/Annihilation grows...". Yet another snippet follows and the album closes with the stark acoustic ballad "No Cure for the Lonely". All in all, "Love Of Life" is an excellent album that will satisfy anyone with a  penchant for dark and atmospheric music. Keep your eyes open and if you see a copy in your neighborhood second hand store, don't hesitate. It's out of print and a new copy may cost you an arm and a leg. UPDATE: The album has now been re-released, both on standalone vinyl and (combined with White Light From The Mouth Of Infinity) on CD. **** for Love Of Life, The Golden Boy That Was Swallowed By The Sea, The Sound Of Freedom, Amnesia, She Crys (For Spider) *** for The Other Side Of The World, Her, Identity, In The Eyes Of Nature, God Loves America, No Cure for the Lonely