The Burning World (Album)
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 - keyboards
- Aïyb Dieng - percussion
- Trilok Gurtu - tabla
- Bernard Fowler - backing vocals
- Fred Fowler - backing vocals
- Karl Berger - vibraphone, string arrangements and conductor
- Mark Feldman - Violin
- Larry Packer - violin
- John Kass - Viola
- Richard Carr - Viola
- Garo Yellin - cello
The Burning World is the sixth studio album by the American band Swans. It was published in 1989 on the label Uni / MCA Records.
History and music style
After the commercial success of Joy Division Cover Version Love Will Tear Us Apart, the major label MCA became aware of the so far published by independent labels Swans. For the production of The Burning World bandleader Michael Gira musician Bill Laswell was provided as a producer to the side.
With the last album, Children of God, the initiated as a power rock band Swans had already gone through an evolution towards more complex arrangements and compositions. Under Laswell line and through the use of folk instruments (including from Greece, Turkey and India), the album received a touch of folk, ethnic and world music. Gira was unhappy with the results, and there was continuing violence during the production phase.
The Burning World was the only major label release of the Swans: Due to the remaining short of expectations sales of the Treaty of MCA was terminated.
Published in 2003, Gira Album on a strictly limited, not re-issue compilation CD entitled Forever Burned on his own label, Young God Records. The pieces Can not Find My Way Home (She's a) Universal Emptiness, Saved, I Remember Who You Are and God Damn the Sun are still available on the compilation Various Failures (1999) represented.
2012 appeared a new edition on the Californian label Water.
Title list
Cover Photo
On the cover of the Photo Calla Lily of the photographer Robert Mapplethorpe is shown, which was also used on the single releases Saved and Can not Find My Way Home.
Reception
The Burning World was recorded mixed by critics and listeners. So comparatively it was agreed at the compositional quality, was almost unanimously considered by many to be catchy perceived production criticized.
Ned Raggets judgment (1 1/2 out of 5 stars ) by Allmusic was scathing:
" Only a little sticks out of what makes the Swans unmistakable. It outweighs a slightly melancholic, acoustic "world music" rock with electrically amplified shades; this ultimately remains featureless, without the dramatic power that characterizes the Swans, whether or play loud and soft. No question, there are a few notable pieces of [ ... ] Apart from these, The Burning World is a complete disappointment. "
Something conciliatory verdict Creaig Dunton on Brainwashed.com:
" Although by no means outstanding, but so have many pieces as strong compositions inventory [ ... ] It is not difficult to understand why Gira and many fans criticize this album as anything but outstanding. It is very polished to a high gloss, to bad way [ ... ] but it's still better than many want to believe you. "