The Angels of Light Sing 'Other People'

Last updated

The Angels of Light Sing 'Other People'
The Angels of Light Sing 'Other People'.jpeg
Studio album by
Angels of Light
ReleasedMarch 21, 2005
RecordedFall 2004
StudioSeizure's Palace (Brooklyn, New York)
Genre
Length45:00
Label Young God
Producer Michael Gira
Angels of Light chronology
Everything Is Good Here/Please Come Home
(2003)		The Angels of Light Sing 'Other People'
(2005)		 Akron/Family & Angels of Light
(2005)
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic 80/100 [2]
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [3]
Drowned in Sound 10/10 [4]
Pitchfork (7.7/10) [5]
Stylus B+ [6]
Tiny Mix Tapes Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [1]

The Angels of Light Sing 'Other People' is the fourth studio album by Angels of Light. Produced by band leader Michael Gira, it was released on March 21, 2005, via Gira's own record label, Young God Records. It is the band's first album to feature extensive contributions from American folk music outfit Akron/Family, who played on every song of the album. [7] [8]

Contents

Critical reception

Upon its release, The Angels of Light Sing 'Other People' received positive reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from critics, the album received an average score of 80, which indicates "generally favorable reviews", based on 12 reviews. [2] On the album, Greg Prato of Allmusic wrote: "Obviously, not what most Swans fans would expect from Gira, but in terms of a strong singer-songwriter album, Angels of Light Sing Other People is definitely a worthy listen. [3] Mike Diver of Drowned in Sound gave the album a perfect 10 score and stated: " It is utterly engaging, totally absorbing and, well, absolutely essential." He also described the album as "a record rich in honesty, in true human emotions and wishes and woes." [4] Sam Ubl of Pitchfork wrote: "Gira's songs have many one-of-a-kind nuances that tether the album even when it ventures," He also commented that "the album goes easy on the sexual anger, capitulating to a refreshingly mundane flavor of storytelling." [5] Mike Powell of Stylus Magazine stated: "Sing ‘Other People’ leaves behind much of the violence of Gira's approach but retains the same soul-plunging ambitions, both allying him effortlessly with the druggy expressivity that characterizes practitioners of newer psychedelic music and belatedly identifying him as an influence and antecedent." [6]

Some critics also noted the absence of drums from most of the recording, which was reported to be limited to "only 10 seconds". [1] [3] [4]

Track listing

No.TitleLength
1."Lena's Song"2:51
2."The Kid Is Already Breaking"3:11
3."My Friend Thor"2:05
4."On the Mountain"5:15
5."Destroyer"5:01
6."Dawn"2:24
7."My Sister Said"4:11
8."Michael's White Hands"4:14
9."To Live Through Someone"5:34
10."Simon Is Stronger Than Us"1:34
11."Purple Creek"4:34
12."Jackie's Spine"4:07
Total length:45:00

Personnel

Angels of Light
Additional musicians
Other personnel

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Swans (band)</span> American experimental rock band

Swans is an American experimental rock band formed in 1982 by singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Michael Gira. One of the few acts to emerge from the New York City-based no wave scene and stay intact into the next decade, Swans have become recognized for an ever-changing sound, exploring genres such as noise rock, post-punk, industrial and post-rock. Initially, their music was known for its sonic brutality and misanthropic lyrics. Following the addition of singer, songwriter and keyboardist Jarboe in 1986, Swans began to incorporate melody and intricacy into their music. Jarboe remained the band's only constant member except Gira and semi-constant guitarist Norman Westberg until their dissolution in 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Gira</span> American singer and musician

Michael Rolfe Gira is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, author and artist. He is the main force behind the New York City musical group Swans and fronted Angels of Light. He is also the founder of Young God Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Angels of Light</span> American band

Angels of Light were an American folk band that was formed circa 1998 by singer-songwriter and musician Michael Gira after he disbanded Swans, the group he had founded in 1982. The band has marked a distinctly different style for Gira since he left Swans, most noticeably being musically more melodic and less brutal than his previous efforts and with emphasis on acoustic instruments and folk and country influences.

<i>Fireflies</i> (Faith Hill album) 2005 studio album by Faith Hill

Fireflies is the sixth studio album by American country music singer Faith Hill. The album was released on August 2, 2005 via Warner Bros. Records Nashville. In its first week, the album sold 329,000 copies, making it the top album on both the Billboard 200 and Top Country Albums chart. Fireflies is her third #1 album, and it has been certified 2× Platinum by the RIAA for US shipments of two million copies. Hill produced the album with Byron Gallimore and Dann Huff.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Akron / Family</span> American experimental folk band

Akron/Family were an American folk-influenced experimental rock band active from 2002 to 2013. Former members have lived in Portland, Oregon; Los Angeles, California; and Joshua Tree, California.

<i>Now</i> (Jessica Andrews album) 2003 studio album by Jessica Andrews

Now is the third and final studio album by country music singer Jessica Andrews. It was released on April 15, 2003. The single "There's More to Me Than You" served as its lead-off single, reaching Top 20 on the country charts. "Good Time" was also a single, peaking at number 49 on the country charts.

<i>The Road and the Radio</i> 2005 studio album by Kenny Chesney

The Road and the Radio is the tenth studio album by American country music artist Kenny Chesney. It was released on November 8, 2005 via BNA Records. The album debuted at number one on the US Top Country Albums and US Billboard 200 charts.

<i>Bayleaf</i> (album) 2001 studio album by Stone Gossard

Bayleaf is the first studio album by American musician Stone Gossard, best known as a guitarist with Pearl Jam guitarist. It was released on September 11, 2001, on Epic Records.

<i>The Burning World</i> (album) 1989 studio album by Swans

The Burning World is the sixth studio album by American experimental rock band Swans. It was released in 1989, through record label Uni Records; the band's only major-label release. Co-produced by Bill Laswell and band leader Michael Gira, the album features a major stylistic shift from their past releases, being very tuneful and accessible compared to the bleak, industrialized sound from their past records. It received a mixed reception and was a commercial disappointment; the band was dropped from the record label following its poor performance.

<i>White Light from the Mouth of Infinity</i> Studio album by American experimental rock band Swans

White Light from the Mouth of Infinity is the seventh studio album by American experimental rock band Swans. It was released in 1991, through the record label Young God. In 2015, it was remastered and made available again digitally and in a 3CD set along with Love of Life and an album of bonus tracks.

<i>Akron / Family & Angels of Light</i> 2005 studio album by Akron/Family and Angels of Light

Akron/Family & Angels of Light is a split album between New York band Akron/Family and Michael Gira's band Angels of Light. It was released on November 8, 2005, via Gira's own record label, Young God Records.

<i>New Mother</i> 1999 album

New Mother is the debut studio album by American folk music act Angels of Light. It was released on April 5, 1999 via frontman Michael Gira's own record label Young God Records, immediately after Michael Gira disbanded his previous band, Swans. The album features contributions from various musicians, including violinist Hahn Rowe, Rasputina band cellist Julia Kent, drummer Thor Harris, composer Joe McGinty and ex-Swans members Bill Rieflin, Phil Puleo and Bill Bronson.

<i>How I Loved You</i> 2001 album

How I Loved You is the second studio album by American folk rock band Angels of Light. Produced by band leader Michael Gira, it was released on March 27, 2001, via Gira's own record label, Young God Records. The album features contributions from Bee and Flower bassist and vocalist Dana Schechter, drummer Thor Harris, singer-songwriter Bliss Blood and ex-Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds guitarist Kid Congo Powers.

<i>Everything Is Good Here/Please Come Home</i> 2003 album

Everything Is Good Here/Please Come Home is the third studio album by Angels of Light. It was released on March 4, 2003, via band leader Michael Gira's own record label, Young God Records.

<i>We Are Him</i> 2007 album

We Are Him is the fifth and final studio album by American experimental rock band Angels of Light. It was released on September 11, 2007, via Young God Records. The album features extensive contributions from various musicians, including the members of Akron/Family, Hungarian violinist Eszter Bálint, classical music composer Paul Cantelon, cellist Julia Kent, Bill Rieflin, and singer-songwriter Larkin Grimm.

<i>My Father Will Guide Me up a Rope to the Sky</i> 2010 studio album by Swans

My Father Will Guide Me up a Rope to the Sky is the eleventh studio album by American rock band Swans released on September 23, 2010; it was their first studio recording in 14 years. Swans founder Michael Gira funded the recording of this album by creating the limited-edition album I Am Not Insane and chose several collaborators from previous Swans line-ups as well as his side project Angels of Light to record and tour for this album. My Father Will Guide Me up a Rope to the Sky has received positive critical feedback for the return of Swans as well as the rich spiritual themes of the lyrics.

<i>In the Key of Disney</i> 2011 studio album by Brian Wilson

In the Key of Disney is the ninth studio album by Brian Wilson, released on October 25, 2011, by Walt Disney Records as part of the Disney Pearl Series. The album is the second release by Disney for Wilson, after Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin. Disney calls it "the album that marries the vision of two men who shaped the image of modern California – Brian Wilson & Walt Disney."

<i>The Seer</i> (Swans album) 2012 studio album by Swans

The Seer is the twelfth studio album by American experimental rock band Swans and was released on August 28, 2012 by Gira's own record label Young God Records. Producer and frontman Michael Gira funded the recording of the album with the sales of We Rose from Your Bed with the Sun in Our Head.

<i>To Be Kind</i> 2014 Swans album

To Be Kind is the thirteenth studio album by American experimental rock band Swans, released on May 12, 2014. It was released as a triple LP, a double CD, and a two-CD deluxe edition that includes a live DVD of performances from Hellfest Open Air Festival, Pitchfork Music Festival and Primavera Sound Festival, as well as a digital download. Critical reception of the album was very positive, continuing a string of well-received albums from the band. The album peaked at number 37 on US Billboard 200, and debuted at number 38 on the UK Albums Chart. Both are the highest chartings that Swans had ever achieved on a studio album and it is the first time that the band cracked the top 40 in both countries.

<i>Drainland</i> 1995 studio album by M. Gira

Drainland is the debut solo studio album by American musician Michael Gira. It was released on June 9, 1995 through Alternative Tentacles record label. Using spare arrangements recorded in August 1994 at musician Bill Rieflin's Seattle home, the album features contributions from Rieflin and Gira's Swans bandmate Jarboe.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Ranta, Alan. "Angels Of Light – Sing 'Other People'". Tiny Mix Tapes . Retrieved March 8, 2014.
  2. 1 2 "The Angels Of Light Sing 'Other People' – Angels Of Light". Metacritic . Retrieved March 8, 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 Prato, Greg. "Angels of Light The Angels of Light Sing Other People". Allmusic . Retrieved March 8, 2014.
  4. 1 2 3 Diver, Mike (April 4, 2005). "Angels Of Light – The Angels Of Light Sing "Other People"". Drowned in Sound. Archived from the original on November 10, 2012. Retrieved March 8, 2014.
  5. 1 2 Ubl, Sam (March 24, 2005). "The Angels of Light Sing "Other People"". Pitchfork . Retrieved March 8, 2014.
  6. 1 2 Powell, Mike (March 16, 2005). "Angels of Light – The Angels of Light Sing 'Other People'". Stylus. Archived from the original on September 15, 2006. Retrieved March 8, 2014.
  7. ↑ "The Angels of Light Sing 'Other People' on Young God Records". Archived from the original on March 8, 2014. Retrieved March 8, 2014.
  8. ↑ Hainey, Kevin (April 2005). "Angels of Light The Angels of Light Sing "Other People"". Exclaim! . Retrieved March 8, 2014.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.