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Originally Posted by SuchFriendsAreDangerous
While of course as a long time fan you are more then entitled to your opinion, I really don't think its a fair analysis so to say that the past two records are a caricature or earlier Swans simply because its less angry or self-destructive. If anything, what these last two records reflect in my opinion is the band "finding God" and not in any kind of religious or divine sense, rather in the sense of "coming to terms with ones' self." I think the earlier records were an abrasive self-reflection, where as in their more mature age its clear they've mellowed it, indeed, these records really have sounded like coming to terms with ones' own self and life and experiences. In that regard, I've fallen in even more love with them, because at least TO ME they help me cathartic purge my own internal doubt, angst, and frustrations. Its not just the lyrics, its the overall sound, it is a syncretic blend of chaos and noise yet subtly musical. To me, this seems like a reflection of life in general, life is chaotic, upsetting, and noisy but if we can find a calm within ourselves we can navigate the storm, indeed, we can enjoy the view. I think early Swans records reflect a kind of self-destructive abandonment as a way to conquer the natural fears of life, a kind of "fuck the fuck fuck it" approach, whereas these recent records feel like saying "fuck it" to saying "fuck it" and therefore come across both sonically and lyrically as a maturation, progression, and process of growth. That could just me projecting myself onto these records, but honestly, that just how I feel about them and why I've so particularly enjoyed them whereas I just could never get into earlier Swans, even though I love noise and abrasive feedback. Also, I always felt the mid-80s stuff was kind of campy and self-deprecating..
Also, these last two records make Children of God or The Burning World sound kind of soft in comparison, so really, aren't in some respects these records a bit heavier?
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