To Be Kind
Swans · 2014
121 min · 10 tracks · alternative rock · progressive rock · post-punk
A sprawling and intense exploration of sound, blending atmospheric textures with cathartic vocals and relentless rhythms.
Why this album works
- Best for
- wave-like pacing with intensity cathartic exploration of sound dynamic shifts in energy
- Context
- To Be Kind is Swans' first album after their 2010 reformation, following the critically acclaimed My Father Will Guide Me Up a Rope to the Sky. This release further solidified their return as a formidable force in avant-garde music, showcasing a refined yet uncompromising approach to their signature sound. The album represents a peak in their artistic evolution, pushing boundaries while retaining their core intensity.
- If you like
- alternative rock, progressive rock, post-punk
To Be Kind is an album by Swans, released in 2014. A sprawling and intense exploration of sound, blending atmospheric textures with cathartic vocals and relentless rhythms. Upon its release, To Be Kind received widespread acclaim, with many critics noting it as one of the band's strongest works. It debuted at number 22 on the Billboard 200 and was included in numerous year-end best lists, highlighting its significant impact on the experimental rock scene. The album's ambitious structure and themes have influenced a generation of artists seeking to explore sonic depth and emotional weight. Here's what makes it worth your time and what to listen to next.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does To Be Kind sound like?
A sprawling and intense exploration of sound, blending atmospheric textures with cathartic vocals and relentless rhythms. Rooted in alternative rock and progressive rock.
What makes To Be Kind by Swans notable?
Upon its release, To Be Kind received widespread acclaim, with many critics noting it as one of the band's strongest works. It debuted at number 22 on the Billboard 200 and was included in numerous year-end best lists, highlighting its significant impact on the experimental rock scene. The album's ambitious structure and themes have influenced a generation of artists seeking to explore sonic depth and emotional weight. To Be Kind is Swans' first album after their 2010 reformation, following the critically acclaimed My Father Will Guide Me Up a Rope to the Sky. This release further solidified their return as a formidable force in avant-garde music, showcasing a refined yet uncompromising approach to their signature sound. The album represents a peak in their artistic evolution, pushing boundaries while retaining their core intensity.
Who is To Be Kind for?
To Be Kind works well if you're into wave-like pacing with intensity, cathartic exploration of sound and dynamic shifts in energy.
How many songs are on To Be Kind?
To Be Kind has 10 tracks, running approximately 121 minutes.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
Disc 1
- 1 Screen Shot 8:04
- 2 Just a Little Boy (For Chester Burnett) Standout 12:39
- 3 A Little God in My Hands Standout 7:08
- 4 Bring the Sun / Toussaint l’ouverture Standout 34:05
- 5 Some Things We Do 5:09
Disc 2
- 1 She Loves Us 17:00
- 2 Kirsten Supine 10:32
- 3 Oxygen 7:59
- 4 Nathalie Neal 10:14
- 5 To Be Kind 8:22
Release Date
May 12, 2014
Artist Origin
United States
Runtime
121 min 16 sec
Learn More
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.
