Greed (Swans album)

Greed is the third studio album by American experimental rock band Swans.[5][6] It was released in 1986, through record label K.422.[7] Greed marks the slow turning point for Swans away from the harsh, brutal noise rock of prior releases,[1] and is also the first Swans album to contain contributions from Jarboe.[8]

Greed
Studio album by
Swans
ReleasedFebruary 28, 1986
RecordedJune–August 1985
StudioIntergalactic Studios, New York City, United States
GenreIndustrial
Length37:34
LabelK.422
ProducerMichael Gira, Estabon
Swans chronology
Time Is Money (Bastard)
(1986)		 Greed
(1986)		 Holy Money
(1986)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[2]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide[3]
Spin Alternative Record Guide7/10[4]

Background

Certain tracks utilize drum machines. The lead instrument on "Fool" is a grand piano. "Money Is Flesh" uses a synthesizer.

The first CD issue contained the "Time Is Money (Bastard)" single as bonus tracks. A later compilation released in 1992, Greed / Holy Money, combined Greed (barring "Fool" and "Money Is Flesh", however "Fool (#2)" and "Money Is Flesh (#2)" were listed as these, respectively) and Holy Money (barring "A Screw (Holy Money)", though "A Screw (Holy Money) (Mix)" was listed as this), as well as the entirety of the A Screw EP and an abridged version of "Time Is Money (Bastard) (Mix)" (listed as "Time Is Money (Bastard)") from the "Time Is Money (Bastard)" single. This compilation, with its entirely re-organized track list, saw re-issue in 1999 in the double-disc set Cop/Young God / Greed/Holy Money, which included the Cop album and Young God EP.[9]

Critical reception

The New York Times wrote that "some [songs] are dominated by the hammer-on-anvil chording of the guitarist Norman Westberg, while others feature a welter of chanting voices and sound like some sinister religious ritual."[10] Trouser Press called Greed the album "where everything finally jells," writing that "each track is a complete work in itself, enthralling and narcotizing."[11] The Quietus deemed it "intense bleakness with power plant rhythms, tougher than concrete wrapped in leather."[12]

Track listing

All lyrics are written by Michael Gira; all music is composed by Swans.

Side A
No.TitleLength
1."Fool"5:23
2."Anything for You"4:32
3."Nobody"4:49
4."Stupid Child"5:19
Side B
No.TitleLength
1."Greed"6:17
2."Heaven"4:54
3."Money Is Flesh"6:20
CD bonus tracks: Time Is Money (Bastard)
No.TitleLength
8."Time Is Money (Bastard)"5:40
9."Sealed in Skin"6:09
10."Time Is Money (Bastard) (Mix)"7:05

Personnel
  • Michael Gira – vocals, samples, tape operation, piano, bass guitar, production, album cover design
  • Jarboe – backing vocals
  • Norman Westberg – guitar
  • Harry Crosby – bass guitar
  • Ronaldo Gonzalez – drums
  • Ted Parsons – drums
  • Ivan Nahem – drums
  • Estabon – production assistance
  • Jorgé Estabon – engineering
  • P. White – album cover artwork

Charts
Chart (1986) Peak
position
UK Indie Chart[13] 6

References
  1. Raggett, Ned. "Greed – Swans : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards : AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
  2. Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Volume 7: MUZE. pp. 870–871.CS1 maint: location (link)
  3. The Rolling Stone Album Guide. Random House. 1992. p. 686.
  4. Spin Alternative Record Guide. Vintage Books. 1995. p. 390.
  5. "Swans | Biography & History". AllMusic.
  6. Buckley, Peter (January 29, 2003). "The Rough Guide to Rock". Rough Guides – via Google Books.
  7. Earles, Andrew (September 15, 2014). "Gimme Indie Rock: 500 Essential American Underground Rock Albums 1981-1996". Voyageur Press – via Google Books.
  8. Lariviere, Aaron (2012-11-09). "Swans Albums From Worst To Best". stereogum.com. Stereogum. Retrieved 2018-02-08.
  9. "Reviews". CMJ New Music Report. CMJ Network, Inc. February 22, 1999 – via Google Books.
  10. Palmer, Robert (May 21, 1986). "THE POP LIFE; SWANS KEEP STRETCHING ROCK-AND-ROLL'S LIMITS (Published 1986)" – via NYTimes.com.
  11. "Swans". Trouser Press. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  12. "The Quietus | Features | Anniversary | The Sound Of Impact: Noise Rock In 1986". The Quietus.
  13. Lazell, Barry (1997). Indie Hits 1980-1989. Cherry Red Books. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved September 5, 2014.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
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