Name: The Seer
Brand: Swans

Tax rate EU

Default:19

Supplier EU

Rough Trade

Total Cap

Format detail

LP+MP3

Colour details

Discogs ID

Limited edition

Colour

Format Music EU

Extended format

Extended format: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Download code

Download code: Yes

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Release date

2014-05-09

Format multiplier

Catalogue number

STUMM363

UPC / Barcode

5051083079044

3 / Extended format: No / LP / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No

Artist

Swans

Label EU

Mute

Genre EU

Alternative / Modern

Swans is a band from New York City, active from 1982 to 1997 and reformed in 2010. Founded and led by singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Michael Gira, Swans was marginally associated with the no wave scene initially. Their original sound was slow and extremely heavy, showcased on the live album "Public Castration Is a Good Idea." As time went on, their music evolved with faster tempos and increased use of drum machines and samples. The addition of vocalist Jarboe expanded their sonic range.

After breaking up in 1997, Swans made a comeback in 2010 under Michael Gira's leadership. However, one notable change was that Jarboe did not join the post-reunion lineup. This resulted in tonal differences between their newer albums and their earlier works.

Discover the unique journey of Swans as they pushed boundaries within the music industry through their distinct sound and artistic vision. Explore their discography to experience the evolution of this influential band that continues to captivate audiences worldwide.

Please note, some Mute issues also carry an EMI logo. This is not a label and EMI should not be added as a label, it instead indicates that Mute was part of the EMI Group.

Founded in 1978 by [a=Daniel Miller], Mute (also known as [l36339]) releases various forms of music, with an emphasis on electronic and experimental pop. In May 2002 the label was acquired by the [l=EMI Group]. In 2010 Miller did an agreement with EMI to handle Mute as an independent label again, licensing the trademark from EMI via his company [l=Mute Artists Ltd.], but EMI kept the rights over Mute's back catalogue. After the EMI Group was dissolved, in 2012 [l206061] acquired [l636]'s back catalogue.

Branch offices exist in Germany ([l168349]) and in North America ([l36296]). 

Mute has spawned many regional and special-interest sublabels, some of which are still active. One offshoot, [l=Parallel Series], even became independent of [l636] Mute also operates Mute Bank Mail Order, which sells the label's merchandise directly to consumers. Mute Bank published two issues of [i]Mute Statement[/i], a softcover book that details the entire discography of the label and includes band profiles and photos of release artwork.

Another label strongly associated with Mute is [l=Toast Hawaii], run by [a=Depeche Mode]'s [a=Andrew Fletcher].

Label code: [b]LC 05834[/b] / [b]LC 5834[/b]

‘[b]P[/b]’, included to the catalog numbers,
generally stand for promo copies.
‘[b]L[/b]’, included to the catalog numbers,
generally stand for limited editions.

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michael gira has always been good at establishing finality. each successive swans release would have made a spectacular tombstone or constituted an epitaph for which other groups would have killed. soundtracks for the blind is no exception to the rule, but this time around even by his own high standards and compared to his low-end excursions of yore, gira has exceeded himself. as dramatic excursions go, soundtracks equals the best. running over two cds and two-and-a-half-hours, this would be a grueling enough listen even without the bejeweled brilliance of the ten actual songs nestled among the found-soundscapes, ambient decompositions and twisted electronic noises that constitute the album's remaining sixteen fragments. what is hard to convey in print however, is the flow of the album as a whole, the manner in which a vocal track alternates with an instrumental, the carefully crafted ordering which, ultimately, does so much to gloriously disorient the listener. soundtracks' sheer length and immensity are its own best explanation.

The Seer

Music EU