The Burning World (Album)

The Burning World
Swans studio album
Publication (s)	1989
Label (s)	Uni / MCA Records
Genre (s)	skirt
Title (number)	10
occupation	Michael Gira - vocals , guitar Jarboe - vocals, keyboard Norman Westberg - guitar Bill Laswell - bass guitar Jason Anses - bass guitar Virgil Moorfield - drums Nicky Skopelitis - Baglamas , Bouzouki L. Shankar - double violin Fred Frith - violin Jeff Bova - keyboard Aïyb Dieng - percussion Trilok Gurtu - Tablas Bernard Fowler - background vocals Fred Fowler - background vocals Karl Berger - vibraphone , string arrangements and conductor Mark Feldman - violin Larry Packer - violin John Kass - viola Richard Carr - viola Garo Yellin - cello
production	Bill Laswell Michael Gira
chronology Children of God (1987) The Burning World White Light from the Mouth of Infinity (1991)

The Burning World is the sixth studio album by the US band Swans . It was published in 1989 on the label Uni / MCA Records .

History and style of music

After the commercial success of the Joy division - cover version Love Will Tear Us Apart , the major label MCA became aware of the Swans, which had previously appeared on independent labels . For the production of The Burning World , band leader Michael Gira was assigned the musician Bill Laswell as producer.

With the previous album Children of God , the Swans, who started out as a power rock band, had already developed into more complex arrangements and compositions. Under Laswell's direction and through the use of folk instruments (including from Greece , Turkey and India ) the album was given a touch of folk , ethno and world music . Gira was dissatisfied with the results and there were ongoing disputes during the production phase.

The Burning World remained the only major label release of the Swans: Due to the lower sales figures, the contract was canceled by MCA.

In 2003 Gira released the album on a strictly limited, unreleased compilation CD entitled Forever Burned on his own label Young God Records . The tracks Can't Find My Way Home, (She's a) Universal Emptiness, Saved, I Remember Who You Are and God Damn the Sun are featured on the still available compilation Various Failures (1999).

In 2012 a new edition appeared on the Californian label Water.

Track list

1. The River that Runs with Love Won't Run Dry - 4:16
2. Let it Come Down - 4:28
3. Can't Find My Way Home - 4:48
4. Mona Lisa, Mother Earth - 4:16
5. (She's a) Universal Emptiness - 4:02
6. Saved - 4:11
7. I Remember Who You Are - 4:24
8. Jane Mary, Cry One Tear - 3:48
9. See No More - 5:30
10. God Damn the Sun - 4:23

Cover photo

On the cover of the photo is Calla Lily of the photographer Robert Mapplethorpe depicted, which is also on the Single -Auskopplungen Saved and Home Can not Find My Way was used.

reception

The Burning World received a mixed reception from critics and listeners. As comparatively as there was agreement on the compositional quality, the production, which many felt was too catchy, was almost unanimously criticized.

Ned Ragget's verdict (1½ out of 5 stars) from Allmusic was devastating:

“Little stands out of what makes the Swans distinctive. A slightly melancholic, acoustic "world music" rock with electrically amplified shades predominates; this ultimately remains contourless, without the dramatic impact that characterizes the swans, whether they play loud or quiet. No question about it, there are a couple of tracks worth mentioning [...] Aside from these, The Burning World is a complete disappointment. "

- Ned Ragget

Creaig Dunton judged a little more conciliatory on Brainwashed.com:

“Even if by no means outstanding, many pieces endure as strong compositions […] It is not difficult to understand why Gira and many fans criticize this disc as anything but outstanding. It's too polished, in a bad way [...] but it's still better than many would lead you to believe. "

- Creaig Dunton

Individual evidence

1. ↑ ^{a b} Mojo Magazine No. 208, March 2011, p. 56.
2. ↑ "[...] little stands out as being distinctively Swans, being more slightly moody acoustic" world music "rock with electric shadings that is ultimately quite anonymous, lacking much of the dramatic power which informs Swans at their best, loud or soft. To be sure, there are some tracks of note […] Those aside, though, Burning is an otherwise general disappointment. "- The Burning World on Allmusic.com, accessed June 4, 2012.
3. ↑ "While not challenging by any means, many of these songs still stand as strong compositions [...] It's not hard to see why both Gira and fans have targeted this disc as being a less than stellar album, because it simply does have too much polish to it, in a bad way […] but it's better than many would lead one to believe. "- The Burning World on Brainwashed.com, accessed on June 4, 2012.

Web links

• The Burning World on Swans.pair.com