Jun 22, 2025 at 11:14 AM

I could never ban Eminem himself from this thread

 

Jun 22, 2025 at 11:15 AM

Jokes aside, I actually like when other people post in this thread. Some discussions like the Encore one can be pretty fun honestly

 

Jun 22, 2025 at 7:26 PM

303. Swans - Soundtracks for the Blind (1996) [June 22nd, 2025]

This was my first Swans record, and honestly, I couldn't think of a worst intro for the band. When I first checked this record out like 2-3 years ago, I'm pretty sure this was the longest full album I had ever heard, and to say I was overwhelmed was an understatement.

I've checked this record out a few more times since then, and while I enjoy it more each time, I still can't say that I "fully appreciate" it yet. I've said this in every single Swans review, but the band's evolution from the harsh No Wave present in a record like Filth, to this, is insane man.

"Red Velvet Corridor", "I Was a Prisoner in Your Skull", and "Helpless Child" do a great job at setting the record up. "Live Through Me" is a nice instrumental piece, that sets up "Yum-Yab Killers" which might be my favorite track on the record. Jarboe had increasingly increased he presence over the last few records, and she really shines on SFTB. "Animus" does a great job at closing Disc 1. Disc 2 has some great tracks as well, but I'd be lying if I said that I didn't lose a bit of interest near the end.

Similar to Aphex Twin's Selected Ambient Works Vol. II, Soundtracks for the Blind is an "experience". Like, you have to set part of your day aside to fully listen to this record lmao. Soundtracks for the Blind is still a perplexing record for me. My love for ambient/drone music, and my familiarity(?) with Swans' earlier work definitely aided me in appreciating this record more this time around, but I don't think I really grasp it as a whole. Still, aside from a live record I plan to check out, this is essentially the end for the first run of Swans. While I am lukewarm on records like Cop and Greed, albums like Filth, Holy Money, COG, WLFTMOFI, and SFTB really make this band stand out, and I can't really think of any other groups that have evolved as much.