The Burning World
by Swans
- Type: Album
- Released: 15 May 1989
- Label: MCA, UNI
- Country: United States
- Length: 44:03
- Community rating: 3.51/5 from 15 ratings
Artists on this release: Norman Westberg, Jarboe, Michael Gira
Album Notes & Community Reviews
On their sole major-label effort, 'The Burning World' saw Swans pivot dramatically from their abrasive industrial origins to a more accessible and melodic sound, incorporating elements of goth rock, neofolk, and world music. Co-produced by Bill Laswell, the album's polished and atmospheric arrangements feature prominent acoustic guitars, Jarboe's ethereal keyboards, and a host of session musicians on instruments like tabla and violin, a departure from the band's core lineup. The album was met with a divided critical reception and commercial disappointment that led to the band being dropped by their label, yet it remains a controversial and distinctive entry in their discography for its stark sonic departure.
Genres
Descriptors: acoustic, melodic, polished, reflective, sweeping, male-vocals, atmospheric, slow, funereal, minimal
Tracklist
- The River That Runs With Love Won't Run Dry (04:14)
- Let It Come Down (04:28)
- Can't Find My Way Home (04:48)
- Mona Lisa, Mother Earth (04:16)
- (She's A) Universal Emptiness (04:02)
- Saved (04:11)
- I Remember Who You Are (04:23)
- Jane Mary, Cry One Tear (03:51)
- See No More (05:30)
- God Damn The Sun (04:20)
Credits
- Michael Gira - vocals, guitar, production, album cover concept and design
- Jarboe - vocals, keyboards
- Norman Westberg - guitar
- Jason Asnes - bass guitar
- Virgil Moorefield - drums
- Nicky Skopelitis - ba臒lama, bouzouki
- L. Shankar - double violin
- Fred Frith - violin
- Jeff Bova - keyboards
- A茂yb Dieng - percussion
- Trilok Gurtu - tabla
- Bernard Fowler - background vocals
- Fred Fowler - background vocals
- Karl Berger - vibraphone, string arrangement, conducting
- Mark Feldman - violin
- Larry Packer - violin
- John Kass - viola
- Richard Carr - viola
- Garo Yellin - cello
- Bill Laswell - production, bass guitar
- Bruce Calder - recording
- Martin Bisi - recording
- Robert Musso - recording
- Jason Corsaro - mixing
- Oz Fritz - engineering assistance
- Howie Weinberg - mastering
- DZN, The Design Group - sleeve artwork
- Vartan - sleeve art direction
- Wim V. D. Hulst - back cover photography
- Robert Mapplethorpe - front cover photography (calla lilly)