Cop / Greed / Holy Money

Swans - Cop / Greed / Holy Money

Our Price: $109.99
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $9.97 (click here)
Category: Music CD
See more new music releases
Listen soundtracks from this album

Compare Prices for Cop / Greed / Holy Money

Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store

Music CD Cover

Artist: Swans
Edition: Music CD
CD Release Date: 1999-03-23
Music Label: Thirsty Ear
Soundtracks:

Music CD 1

Half Life
Job
Why Hide
Clay Man
Your Property
Cop
Butcher
Thug
I Crawled
Raping A Slave
Young God
This Is Mine
Sealed In Skin
Fool

Music CD 2

Time Is Money (Bastard)
Money Is Flesh
Another You
Blackmail
A Screw (Holy Money)
Fool #2
Stupid Child
Anything For You
Nobody
A Screw
Heaven
Coward
A Hanging
You Need Me
Greed

Free Music Notes for Cop / Greed / Holy Money

Free Music Review: Agony in droves
Hit: 5 Stars

SWANS early experiments in audio horror cannot be pigeonholed as metal, ambient, or industrial music. Transcending normal classification, SWANS brewed the most sullen and loathsome music I've ever had the (dis)pleasure of hearing. Along with this double disc, and "Filth" / "Body to Body, Job to Job"; they should all be listened to in one sitting, to achieve the appropriate (hopefully desired) effect.

If the pure essence of dread could be captured and harnessed into audio form, it would result in these particular recordings.
Norman Westberg's sluggish, discordant riffs consistently keep the listener off balance. The drums pound, clank, and plod along in the same gloomy manner; akin to the sounds one might hear inside a decaying industrial factory. Michael Gira's vocals apathetically wail and shout with a great sense of misanthropy. Gira's baritone delivery can at one moment lull you into a dark reverie, and the next moment, intimidate you with his confrontational bark. As for the lyrics? Minimalist and depraved. They represent a multitude of grotesque thoughts and dismal commentaries on various sociopathic behaviors and societal ill's. These are the enraged messages of a calloused individual.

As an enthusiast of avant-garde and eccentric music, I tend to listen to a lot of Doom and Dark Ambient, for it helps create a unique mood, and that brooding sense of hopelessness (which I happen to enjoy).
SWANS, however, were certainly not a metal band; just an artistic collective, years ahead of their time. They created music that would scare the daylights out of most brutal Death Metal, and even the heaviest of Doom bands.
This expression is what naturally flowed out of Michael Gira and Co. and I don't believe their intention was to be "heavy". SWANS simply were. Their emotions, ideas, and abilities came oozing forth from their shadowy depths, and these are the grim results of their negative output.

If one "enjoys" the primal origins of SWANS, I would recommend taking the plunge into their live albums. Public Castration is a Good Idea and Real Love are completely different beasts in comparison to their studio counterparts. Live Swans induced unreasonable amounts of cynicism and anxiety. The songs are performed minimally, and produce a quality of dilapidation. Both recordings are equally, if not, more disturbing than their studio efforts.

Too dissonant and morose for the average listener, and too "artsy" and industrialized (not the pseudo, dance/pop nonsense) for the staunch metal aficionado. This is only for the most extreme and open-minded individuals who appreciate music for its ability to create moods and a lasting impression. Personally, I could listen to this era of SWANS all day long.

...There must be something wrong with me.

Note: A few years after SWANS released these recordings, a band came along known as Godflesh (from the ashes of Fall of Because). Godflesh was fronted by Justin Broadrick, who was also a brief member of Head of David, and a founder of Napalm Death. If you happen to listen to their first two albums, you'll notice a resemblance to the early years of SWANS. Many believe Godflesh are the originators of this style of extremity, but to overlook SWANS would be a criminal offense. Coincidentally, one time drummer of SWANS Ted Parsons performed on the final Godflesh album "Hymns", and is now involved in Justin's jesu project.

I recommend this era of SWANS to fans of Godflesh, Skin Chamber, and Khanate.

Write your own review

More free music notes:
1 2 3 4 5

Alternative Rock Music CDs

Music Genres

Top music charts in Alternative Rock Music CDs

Bouncing Souls - Maniacal Laughter
Release date: 1996-01-26; Music CD
Best price: $30.00

Blondie - Parallel Lines
Release date: 1994-07-29; Music CD
Best price: $397.77

Doors - L.A. Woman
Release date: 1993-04-09; Music CD
Best price: $199.99

Amon Duul - Phallus Dei
Release date: 1997-04-08; Music CD
Price in other shops: ~~$18.98~~

Tangerine Dream - Melrose
Release date: 1990-10-02; Music CD
Best price: $74.98

Tangerine Dream - Private Music of Tangerine Dream
Release date: 1992-11-10; Music CD
Best price: $9.50
Price in other shops: ~~$11.98~~

Ska Explosion [VHS]
Cleopatra; Release date: 1995-02-28; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $14.99
Price in other shops: ~~$16.98~~

Little Earthquakes [VHS]
Atlantic / Wea; Release date: 1992-11-10; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $7.00
Price in other shops: ~~$16.98~~