The Burning World cover

The Burning World

Swans · 1989

44 min · 10 tracks · alternative rock · progressive rock · post-punk

Ethereal melodies intertwine with haunting vocals and dense instrumentation, creating a surreal soundscape of emotional depth.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • steady reflective emotional journey
  • haunting melodies for deep thought
  • ethereal soundscapes for solitude
  • immersive listening in quiet spaces

Maybe skip if you want

  • prefer upbeat instant gratification
  • seek standalone hit singles

Where this album fits

Career context
Released in 1989, 'The Burning World' is Swans' fifth studio album and marks their transition to a more melodic sound following the aggressive noise of previous records like 'Children of God'. This shift came after frontman Michael Gira's exploration of softer musical textures, indicating an evolving artistic direction within the band.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 The River That Runs With Love Won’t Run Dry 4:14
  • 2 Let It Come Down 4:28
  • 3 Can’t Find My Way Home 4:54
  • 4 Mona Lisa, Mother Earth 4:22
  • 5 (She’s a) Universal Emptiness 3:57
  • 6 Saved 4:24
  • 7 I Remember Who You Are 4:24
  • 8 Jane Mary, Cry One Tear 3:51
  • 9 See No More 5:30
  • 10 God Damn the Sun 4:22

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata