The Seer

by Swans

The Seer cover art
  • Type: Album
  • Released: August聽28,聽2012
  • Label: Young God
  • Country: United States
  • Length: 1:59:12
  • Community rating: 4.36/5 from 41 ratings

Artists on this release: Kristof Hahn, Christopher Pravdica, Michael Gira, Thor Harris, Norman Westberg, Bill Rieflin, Phil Puleo

Album Notes & Community Reviews

'The Seer' is a monumental, two-hour work of experimental rock defined by its extended song structures, which often exceed 20 and 30 minutes, and immersive sonic landscapes built from drone, noise, and post-rock passages. Described by frontman Michael Gira as a culmination of his entire musical career, the album's material was developed extensively through live performance, resulting in sprawling and primal compositions that largely abandon conventional songwriting. The critically acclaimed recording features guest vocalists such as Karen O and former member Jarboe and is considered the first installment of a significant trilogy in the band's catalog.

Genres

Descriptors: monolithic, droning, sprawling, ritualistic, devastating, experimental, long-form, repetitive, noisy, abrasive

Tracklist

  1. Lunacy (06:08)
  2. Mother of the World (09:57)
  3. The Wolf (01:35)
  4. The Seer (32:14)
  5. The Seer Returns (06:17)
  6. 93 Ave. Blues (05:21)
  7. The Daughter Brings the Water (02:40)
  8. Song for a Warrior (03:58)
  9. Avatar (08:51)
  10. A Piece of the Sky (19:10)
  11. Apostate (23:01)

Credits

  • Michael Gira - producer, vocals, electric and acoustic guitar, harmonica, casio, arrangements
  • Christoph Hahn - lap steel guitar, electric guitar
  • Thor Harris - drums, percussion, orchestral bells, handmade clarinet, vibraphone
  • Christopher Pravdica - bass guitar, acoustic guitar, vocals
  • Phil Puleo - drums, percussion, dulcimer, piano, keyboards, vocals
  • Norman Westberg - electric guitar, acoustic guitar, vocals
  • Bill Rieflin - piano, organ, guitar, casio, drums, percussion
  • Karen O - lead vocals on "song for a warrior"
  • Alan Sparhawk - co-vocals on "lunacy"
  • Mimi Parker - co-vocals on "lunacy"
  • Jarboe - backing vocals on "the seer returns" and "a piece of the sky", voice collage on "a piece of the sky"
  • Seth Olinsky - background vocals on "a piece of the sky"
  • Miles Seaton - background vocals on "a piece of the sky"
  • Dana Janssen - background vocals on "a piece of the sky"
  • Caleb Mulkerin - accordion, additional vocals, dulcimer, guitar, piano and other instruments on "the seer returns"
  • Colleen Kinsella - accordion, additional vocals, dulcimer, guitar, piano and other instruments on "the seer returns"
  • Sean Mackowiak - acoustic and electric mandolin, clarinet
  • Ben Frost - fire sounds (acoustic and synthetic) on "a piece of the sky"
  • Iain Graham - bagpipes on "the seer"
  • Cassis Staudt - accordion
  • Kevin McMahon - recorded by, mixed by, engineer
  • Bryce Goggin - engineer [additional recording engineer at trout]
  • Adam Sachs - engineer [additional recording assistant at trout]
  • Doug Henderson - mastered by
  • Jamal Ruhe - pre-mastering
  • Simon Henwood - artwork, painting, photography by [swans photo portraits]

More from Swans: full discography