Various Failures
Swans · 1999
154 min · 34 tracks · alternative rock
A haunting blend of ambient textures and relentless rhythms that traverses the boundaries of noise and melody.
Top tracks — play these first
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God Damn the Sun — This track stands out with its stark emotional intensity, combining haunting lyrics with minimalist instrumentation that captures the essence of despair and beauty. Its raw vulnerability resonates deeply within the context of Swans' broader thematic explorations.
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Miracle of Love Start here — The song showcases a more melodic approach compared to other tracks, blending ethereal vocals with unsettling undertones, reflecting an evolution in Swans’ sound that embraces tenderness intertwined with darkness.
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Love Will Tear Us Apart (J. version) — This cover reinterprets Joy Division’s classic through Swans' lens, transforming its familiar anguish into a sprawling sonic landscape that exemplifies the band’s ability to reshape existing narratives while paying homage to their influences.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dark introspection through haunting melodies
- wave-like pacing invites deep listening
- immersive exploration of existential themes
- prolonged engagement with dynamic shifts
- thought-provoking atmosphere for solitude
Maybe skip if you
- prefer straightforward, upbeat tracks
- look for quick, catchy songs
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Deep Cut — A compilation that encapsulates earlier work, not a primary entry point or breakthrough.
- Themes
- haunted memories· post-industrial despair· transitional darkness
- Career context
- Released in 1999, Various Failures marks a transitional phase for Swans, serving as a compilation that encapsulates their earlier work while hinting at future directions. This album arrives shortly after the band's initial disbandment in 1997, showcasing tracks from their previous albums alongside new interpretations, thereby cementing their legacy amidst the evolving landscape of experimental music.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Godspeed You! Black Emperor· The Young Gods· Neurosis
Tracklist
Disc 1
- 1 Miracle of Love Start here 6:26
- 2 Black Eyed Dog 3:57
- 3 The Golden Boy That Was Swallowed by the Sea 5:09
- 4 (—) 2:07
- 5 I Remember Who You Are 4:24
- 6 Her 5:23
- 7 No Cruel Angel 4:28
- 8 When She Breathes 4:31
- 9 Why Are We Alive? 6:04
- 10 The Child’s Right 3:36
- 11 (—) 1:03
- 12 The Other Side of the World 4:40
- 13 Song for Dead Time (MG version) 4:34
- 14 Love Will Save You 6:05
- 15 Blind 4:31
- 16 Unfortunate Lie 2:22
- 17 Was He Ever Alive? 6:23
Disc 2
- 1 Failure 6:19
- 2 Identity 5:35
- 3 Can’t Find My Way Home 4:48
- 4 Trust Me 4:18
- 5 Better Than You 5:58
- 6 Love Will Tear Us Apart (J. version) 3:43
- 7 Will We Survive? 5:58
- 8 Drink to Me Only With Thine Eyes 1:17
- 9 God Damn the Sun 4:21
- 10 Eyes of Nature 4:40
- 11 You Know Everything 4:27
- 12 Song for Dead Time (J. version) 4:58
- 13 Picture of Maryanne 4:23
- 14 Amnesia 3:42
- 15 Dream Dream 5:32
- 16 Please Remember Me 4:48
- 17 New Mind (acoustic) 3:25
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven
Godspeed You! Black Emperor
Both explore post-industrial soundscapes with haunting atmospheres and a blend of noise and melody.
L'Eau rouge
The Young Gods
Shares the same relentless rhythms and experimental textures, creating a dark and immersive listening experience.
Black Earth
Bohren & der Club of Gore
Evokes a similar sense of despair and haunting ambiance through slow, brooding compositions.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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