To Be Kind

by Swans

Type: Album
Released: May 12, 2014
Label: Young God, Mute
Country: United States
Length: 2:01:12
Community rating: 4.27/5 from 111 ratings

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

Album Notes & Community Reviews

The double album 'To Be Kind' is constructed from lengthy, hypnotic tracks that often fuse primal, repetitive grooves with elements of blues, krautrock, and industrial textures. Material for the record was largely developed and refined during live performances, giving the compositions a fluid and improvisational quality that balances Michael Gira's brutalist arrangements with passages of stark tenderness. Produced by Gira and recorded by John Congleton, the album received widespread critical acclaim and became Swans' highest-charting record in both the US and UK, marking a commercial peak for the experimental group's celebrated reunion era.

Genres

Descriptors: experimental, long-form, abrasive, brutal, monolithic, repetitive, noisy

Tracklist

Screen Shot (8:04)
Just A Little Boy (For Chester Burnett) (12:39)
A Little God In My Hands (7:08)
Bring The Sun/Toussaint L'Ouverture (34:05)
Some Things We Do (5:09)
She Loves Us (17:00)
Kirsten Supine (10:32)
Oxygen (7:59)
Nathalie Neal (10:14)
To Be Kind (8:22)

Credits

Michael Gira - vocals, electric and acoustic guitar, production
Christoph Hahn - lap steel guitars, electric guitar, vocals
Thor Harris - drums, percussion, vibes and bells, wind instruments, handmade viola, vocals
Christopher Pravdica - bass guitar, acoustic guitar, vocals
Phil Puleo - drums, percussion, dulcimer, piano, keyboards, vocals
Norman Westberg - electric guitar, acoustic guitar, vocals
Bill Rieflin - drums and percussion, synthesizer, piano, electric guitar, bass guitar, keyboards
John Congleton - producer, recording
St. Vincent - special guest, backing vocals
Cold Specks - special guest, multi-tracked vocals
Little Annie - special guest, duet vocals
Bob Biggs - album art