Is To Be Kind a good place to start with Swans?

Yes, To Be Kind is recommended as a starting point for new Swans listeners. Evolving soundscapes blend crushing noise with haunting melodies, creating a visceral and meditative experience that challenges perception. Released in 2014, To Be Kind is Swans' follow-up to the critically acclaimed album The Seer from 2012. At this point in their career, Swans were experiencing a resurgence after their reunion in 2010, further solidifying their status as pioneers of avant-garde music. This album marks a period where Michael Gira and his band explored even more expansive and challenging sonic territories.

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.

To Be Kind

Swans · 2014

121 min · 10 tracks · alternative rock

Evolving soundscapes blend crushing noise with haunting melodies, creating a visceral and meditative experience that challenges perception.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Screen Shot Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
→
Bring the Sun / Toussaint l’ouverture — This nearly half-hour track serves as the emotional centerpiece of the album, evolving from serene moments to overwhelming crescendos that embody the band's thematic exploration of suffering and transcendence.
→
Just a Little Boy (For Chester Burnett) — This track encapsulates Swans' ability to fuse raw power with intimate reflection, paying homage to blues legend Howlin' Wolf while showcasing Gira's lyrical depth in examining masculinity.
→
A Little God in My Hands — With its hypnotic rhythm and layered instrumentation, this track illustrates the tension between fragility and strength, making it a compelling representation of the album's overarching themes.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

81 /100

Summit

Higher than 100% of albums we've rated

The album's ambitious structure and unique sound create a compelling listening experience that rewards repeated plays.

What we noticed

The album features several tracks that exceed ten minutes, allowing for extended exploration of themes and soundscapes.
Tracks often build gradually, layering instrumentation and dynamics over time, creating a sense of tension and release.
The final track is a lengthy piece that incorporates both haunting melodies and crushing noise, contrasting with the more melodic earlier tracks.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 9/10
Durability 25% of the score: 8/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 9/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

wave-like pacing with intensity
cathartic exploration of sound
dynamic shifts in energy
deep listening for engagement
late-night introspective sessions

Maybe skip if you

prefer instant gratification
avoid lengthy musical experiences

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Critical Peak — Widely acclaimed for its ambitious structure and sound, marking a high point in Swans' catalog.
Themes: blues legend homage· masculinity exploration· suffering and transcendence
Career context: Released in 2014, To Be Kind is Swans' follow-up to the critically acclaimed album The Seer from 2012. At this point in their career, Swans were experiencing a resurgence after their reunion in 2010, further solidifying their status as pioneers of avant-garde music. This album marks a period where Michael Gira and his band explored even more expansive and challenging sonic territories.
Stylistic neighbors: Godspeed You! Black Emperor· The Young Gods· Neurosis