Name: Love of Life
Brand: Swans

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

stumm384

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Colour

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2016-01-29

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

PIAS

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

5051083095464

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Total Cap

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

Artist

Swans

Genre GB

Experimental / Avant-Garde / Industrial / Noise

Label GB

Mute

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.

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.

Swans' classic album 'Love of Life' (1992) now re-mastered and reissued as a deluxe vinyl edition with an exclusive poster and digital download code. The download includes 18 bonus tracks. 'Love of Life', the band's eighth studio album, followed soon after in 1992. 'Love of Life' continues the astounding creative roll Swans found themselves on. The title track has a quick, rushed pace and pulse, with stabs of further percussion and keyboards to provide underscoring energy to Gira's excellent singing, while 'The Golden Boy That Was Swallowed by the Sea' captures Swans at their most self-consciously mythic, with a subtly descending chord defining the sweeping, string-heavy song as Gira invokes near Blakean images of crowds, shorelines, and the titular boy, laden with deceptively simple power. Jarboe's own vocals, as ever, are exquisite, investing 'The Other Side of the World' and her own lyric 'She Crys (For Spider)' with her beautiful, rich singing. With such further successes as the first gentle then pounding love song 'Her' (combined with a poignant interview clip) and the snarling kick of 'Amnesia' to its overall credit as well, 'Love of Life' unsurprisingly proves to be yet another Swans masterpiece.

Love of Life

Music GB

Buy Swans - Love of Life (Vinyl, CD) now from Rough Trade - independent purveyors of great music, since 1976.