White Light from the Mouth of Infinity

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White Light from the Mouth of Infinity
Swans whitelightfromthemouthofinfinity.jpg
Studio album by
Swans
Released1991
RecordedSeptember 1990 – February 1991
StudioB. Monster Studios, New York City, United States
Genre
Length69:19
Label Young God
Producer Michael Gira
Swans chronology
Anonymous Bodies in an Empty Room
(1990)		White Light from the Mouth of Infinity
(1991)		 Body to Body, Job to Job
(1991)

White Light from the Mouth of Infinity is the seventh album by the American band Swans. [4] [5] It was released in 1991, through the record label Young God. The band supported the album with a North American tour. [6]

Contents

In 2015, it was remastered and made available digitally and in a 3CD (and 3LP) set along with Love of Life and an album of bonus tracks.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [7]
Los Angeles Times Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [8]
Mojo Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [9]
Pitchfork 7.9/10 [2]
Spin Alternative Record Guide 5/10 [10]

The Los Angeles Times wrote that Michael Gira's "search for heaven and hell—in both mind and body—continues on its fascinating, sometimes harrowing way." [8]

AllMusic described the album as "stunning" and a "clear starting point for the second half of Swans' unique career." [7]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Michael Gira

No.TitleLength
1."Better Than You"5:51
2."Power and Sacrifice"5:37
3."You Know Nothing"5:46
4."Song for Dead Time"5:24
5."Will We Survive"6:51
6."Love Will Save You"6:06
7."Failure"6:20
8."Song for the Sun"5:03
9."Miracle of Love"6:43
10."When She Breathes"5:03
11."Why Are We Alive?"5:29
12."The Most Unfortunate Lie"5:02
Total length:69:19
2015 Remaster version
No.TitleLength
1."Better Than You"5:51
2."Power and Sacrifice"5:36
3."You Know Nothing"5:46
4."Song for Dead Time" (alternate version)4:58
5."Will We Survive" (edited version)5:59
6."Love Will Save You"6:06
7."Failure"6:20
8."Song for the Sun"5:03
9."Miracle of Love"6:43
10."Blind" (bonus track on reissue)4:31
11."When She Breathes" (alternate version)4:31
12."Why Are We Alive?" (extended version)6:00
13."The Most Unfortunate Lie"5:02
Total length:72:26

Personnel

Charts

Chart (2016)Peak
position
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) [11] 195

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References

  1. ↑ Terich, Jeff; Bossenger, A.T. (November 13, 2014). "10 Essential American post-punk albums". Treble. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
  2. 1 2 Sherburne, Philip (December 2, 2015). "Swans: White Light from the Mouth of Infinity / Love of Life". Pitchfork . Retrieved December 4, 2015.
  3. ↑ Lariviere, Aaron (November 9, 2012). "Swans Albums From Worst To Best - White Light from the Mouth of Infinity". Stereogum . Retrieved July 17, 2020.
  4. ↑ "Swans". Trouser Press. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  5. ↑ Unsworth, Cathi (April 27, 1991). "White Light from the Mouth of Infinity by Swans". Melody Maker. 68 (17): 36.
  6. ↑ Buttars, Lori (April 24, 1992). "Swans dive into town". The Salt Lake Tribune. p. D6.
  7. 1 2 Raggett, Ned. "White Light from the Mouth of Infinity - Swans | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic . Retrieved February 20, 2013.
  8. 1 2 Hochman, Steve (January 5, 1992). "In Brief". Calendar. Los Angeles Times. p. 57.
  9. ↑ Perry, Andrew (February 2016). "Swans: White Light From The Mouth Of Infinity/ Love of Life". Mojo . No. 267. p. 104.
  10. ↑ Spin Alternative Record Guide. Vintage Books. 1995. pp. 390, 391.
  11. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Swans – White Light from the Mouth of Infinity" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
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