Various Failures

This music is culled from the period when Swans were in the midst of a major transition from sonic onslaught to actual songwriting (really begun with Children of God, but continued here). There were several releases in this vein, and I took the songs I thought best and compiled them into this double album collection. I’m ambivalent about much of it, but then what do I know???? Some if it is genuinely good I think. Anyway, I was learning (how to write a song) as I went. Many people seem to like this material, and I’m obviously (even now) incapable of being objective, so listen to some song samples and make your own choice. It is the best selling of the Swans reissues, if that means anything to you. The artwork is rather fetching if I may say so, by the esteemed Deryk Thomas. I love his work - a cross between Disney and Francis Bacon, Bosch and Turner. Seek him out on thee internet thing! – Michael Gira/Young God Records 2008 This two-CD set collects the best of material previously released on Swans "The Burning World" album and its various singles (1989), the World of Skin album "10 Songs For Another World" (1990), "White Light From the Mouth of Infinity" (1990/1), and the "Love of Life" album and its various singles (1992). All these items are out of print, and this double CD set is the most sought-after release in the Swans' series of reissues/compilations.