View basket “Equally Cursed And Blessed” has been added to your basket. My Father Will Guide Me Up a Rope to the Sky Swans SKU: STUMM362 Barcode: 658457004319 19.00 £19.00 Genre: Rock And Pop Label: Mute Released Date: 28th October 2010 Buying Format: 1LP Includes Download Code Out of stock Back Order Add to your Wishlist Description Product Info After years of pursuing Angels of Light and recording and producing a diverse roster of artists for his Young God label, Michael Gira has decided to reconvene his legendary group Swans. As he says: “THIS IS NOT A REUNION. It’s not some dumb-ass nostalgia act. It is not repeating the past. After 5 Angels Of Light albums, I needed a way to move FORWARD, in a new direction, and it just so happens that revivifying the idea of Swans is allowing me to do that. “ The core group constituting Swans for this phase is Michael Gira / guitar / voice / mendicant friar act (original swans); Norman Westberg – guitar (original swans); Christoph Hahn – guitar (mid period swans and most angels); Phil Puleo – drums, percussion, dulcimer etc (final swans tour and most angels); Chris Pravdica – bass and gadgets (flux information sciences / services/ gunga din); Thor Harris – drums, percussion, vibes, dulcimer, curios, keys (angels, now also with Shearwater)… This highly anticipated album is as powerful and diverse as anything Gira’s done, in Swans or otherwise. It opens with the epic, soul-crushing (bone crushing?) No Words/No Thoughts, but quickly veers to more pastoral terrain, then on to ever-ascending mono-tonal grooves, a filmic-folk idyll featuring Devendra Banhart on lead vocal that abruptly shifts to cataclysm, then on to more airplane-taking-off ascensions, art songs, and more lethal sonic pummeling. In short, this is the new SWANS album, a significant advance from where Swans left off and as challenging and emotionally demanding as ever. Increasing frustrated by the (self imposed) constraints he’d set for himself in Angels of Light, Gira decided that the direction he wanted his music to take would be more appropriate under the moniker of the group he started in 1982 and retired in 1997. Though the new album retains an attention to detail in orchestration, and an underlying sense of melody on many of the songs, there’s a deliberate shift towards sonic intensity, relentless, maniacal rhythms and alternately abrasive and soaring waves of electric guitar, qualities those familiar with the always-shifting sonic approach of Swans over the (now first) 15 years of its’ existence will recognize. This record immediately feels like Swans but is also obviously unique and moving into new territory. SWANS Here’s what Gira says about the moment he decided to reconvene Swans: “There was a point a few years ago during a particular show when I was on tour with Angels of Light, with Akron/Family serving as the backing band. It was during the song The Provider. Seth’s guitar was sustaining one open chord (very loudly), rising to a peak, then crashing down again in a rhythm that could have been the equivalent of a deep and soulful act of copulation. The whole band swayed with this arc. Really was like riding waves of sound. I thought right then, “You know, Michael, Swans wasn’t so bad after all…” – ha ha! It brought back – in a flood – memories, or maybe not memories, more a tangible re-emersion in the sensation of Swans music rushing through my body in waves, lifting me up towards what, I can only assume, will be my only experience of heaven. It’s difficult – and probably pointless – to try to describe this experience. It’s ecstatic, I suppose – a force of simultaneous self negation and rebirth. Really, I probably only experienced this a handful of times to such an extreme extent during the entire 15 year history of Swans. All the elements have to align perfectly, and you can’t force it, though you might constantly strive for it. I don’t mean to be too lofty here, but it’s a fact. I’m talking about my own experience of the music (though I’d hope people in the audiences along the way might have experienced a similar episode). When I ask myself if I believe in God, I start to say NO, but then I remember that sensation, and I’m not so sure. So I want more of that, before my body breaks down to such an extent that it won’t be possible any more. So I’m doing it. “ My Father Will Guide Me Up a Rope to the Sky The original art for the album is by Beatrice Pediconi http://www.beatricepediconi.com The recording of this record was made possible by the sale of a limited edition of 1000, handmade CD/DVD package exclusively at younggodrecords.com. The music CD consisted of Gira’s acoustic demos of several songs under consideration for the new Swans album and the DVD was 2 live shows of Gira solo. Gira hand printed the edition – named I Am Not Insane – (with wood block), hand colored each one individually, and assembled the 1000 copies himself. The expectation was that it would take 3 or 4 months to sell out through the limited venue of the YGR website. It sold out in 2 weeks. Since the musicians live in different places on the planet, the idea of rehearsal for the recordings was both impractical and expensive. They had all heard the material in demo form, so were basically familiar with the material. In order to both allow time to work out the songs as a band with a distinct personality, and to ensure freshness in the performance, they recorded the basic tracks for one song per day over a period of 12 – 14 hours each day. Once they’d reached a peak, having hashed the songs over (and over) and reconfigured them from their original demo form into something unique to the group, the engineer hit record. Basic overdubs were done at the end of the same day. Additional subsequent overdubs were done later and guests included: Bill Rieflin (long-time Swans and Angels of Light contributor and currently drummer for REM and Robyn Hitchcock). Bill played piano, synthesizer, organ, acoustic and electric guitar, drums/percussion and more; Grasshopper (Mercury Rev) – Mr. Grass played a swarm of mandolins; Devendra Banhart – Devendra sang the lead vocal – accompanied by Gira’s 3 ½ year old daughter Saoirse – to the song You Fucking People Make Me Sick. Artist Swans Genre Rock And Pop Label Mute Buying Options 1LP Includes Download Code Format 1LP , Includes Download Code Condition New Country United Kingdom Track Listings # 1. No Words/No Thoughts (9:24) # 2. Reeling The Liars In (2:20) # 3. Jim (6:46) # 4. My Birth (3:52) # 5. You Fucking People Make Me Sick (5:08) # 6. Inside Madeline (6:36) # 7. Eden Prison (6:03) # 8. Little Mouth (4:12) Share this On Facebook On Twitter Via Email More from Swans View Product Quick View Swans Feel Good Now – Live Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo | Mute | 2LP, Includes Download Code, Includes Poster Released 27th October 2023 £30.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Swans Feel Good Now – Live £30.00 Genre: Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo Label: Mute SKU: STUMM466 Formats: 2LP, Includes Download Code, Includes Poster Released Date: 27th October 2023 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders View Product Quick View Swans The Beggar Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo | Mute | 2LP, Includes Download Code, Includes Poster Released 23rd June 2023 £34.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Swans The Beggar £34.00 Genre: Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo Label: Mute SKU: STUMM489 Formats: 2LP, Includes Download Code, Includes Poster Released Date: 23rd June 2023 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders View Product Quick View Swans Public Castration Is A Good Idea Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo | Mute | 2LP, Includes Download Code Released 16th December 2022 £25.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Swans Public Castration Is A Good Idea £25.00 Genre: Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo Label: Mute SKU: STUMM394 Formats: 2LP, Includes Download Code Released Date: 16th December 2022 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders View Product Quick View Swans Soundtracks for the Blind Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo | Mute | 4LP, Gatefold Sleeve, Includes Download Code Released 18th March 2022 £35.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Swans Soundtracks for the Blind £35.00 Genre: Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo Label: Mute SKU: LSTUMM421 Formats: 4LP, Gatefold Sleeve, Includes Download Code Released Date: 18th March 2022 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders View Product Quick View Swans Children of God Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo | Mute | 2LP, Includes Download Code Released 13th November 2020 £22.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Swans Children of God £22.00 Genre: Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo Label: Mute SKU: STUMM453 Formats: 2LP, Includes Download Code Released Date: 13th November 2020 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders View Product Quick View Swans Leaving Meaning Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo | Mute | 2LP, Includes Download Code Released 25th October 2019 £22.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Swans Leaving Meaning £22.00 Genre: Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo Label: Mute SKU: STUMM446 Formats: 2LP, Includes Download Code Released Date: 25th October 2019 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders View Product Quick View Swans Soundtracks For The Blind Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo | Mute | 4LP, Box Set Released 20th July 2018 £60.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Swans Soundtracks For The Blind £60.00 Genre: Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo Label: Mute SKU: STUMM421 Formats: 4LP, Box Set Released Date: 20th July 2018 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders View Product Quick View Swans Die Tür Ist Zu Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo | Mute | 2LP Released 20th July 2018 £22.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Swans Die Tür Ist Zu £22.00 Genre: Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo Label: Mute SKU: STUMM422 Formats: 2LP Released Date: 20th July 2018 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders View Product Quick View Swans The Great Annihilator Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo | Mute | 2LP, Includes Download Code Released 3rd May 2017 £22.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Swans The Great Annihilator £22.00 Genre: Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo Label: Mute SKU: STUMM402 Formats: 2LP, Includes Download Code Released Date: 3rd May 2017 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders View Product Quick View Swans The Burning World Rock And Pop | 1972 | 1LP Released 10th March 2014 £32.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Swans The Burning World £32.00 Genre: Rock And Pop Label: 1972 SKU: IF26 Formats: 1LP Released Date: 10th March 2014 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders See more from Swans Start again More from Rock And Pop View Product Quick View Mutual Benefit Skip A Sinking Stone (Indies Only) Rock And Pop | Transgressive | 1LP, Coloured Vinyl, Includes Download Code Released 20th May 2016 £17.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Mutual Benefit Skip A Sinking Stone (Indies Only) £17.00 Genre: Rock And Pop Label: Transgressive SKU: TRANS229XX Formats: 1LP, Coloured Vinyl, Includes Download Code Released Date: 20th May 2016 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Matt's picks View Product Quick View Boo Radleys, The Giant Steps (30th Anniversary Edition) Rock And Pop | Two Piers | 10", 2LP, Coloured Vinyl, Gatefold Sleeve, Includes Download Code Released 1st September 2023 £33.00 - £34.00 Select options Boo Radleys, The Giant Steps (30th Anniversary Edition) £33.00 - £34.00 Genre: Rock And Pop Label: Two Piers Formats: 10", 2LP, Coloured Vinyl, Gatefold Sleeve, Includes Download Code Released Date: 1st September 2023 Read More Select options View Product Quick View Amanda Palmer There Will Be No Intermission Rock And Pop | 8ft Records | 2LP Released 12th March 2019 £25.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Amanda Palmer There Will Be No Intermission £25.00 Genre: Rock And Pop Label: 8ft Records SKU: 8FT054LPX Formats: 2LP Released Date: 12th March 2019 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders View Product Quick View Pavement Quarantine The Past: The Best of Pavement Rock And Pop | Matador | 2LP, Includes Download Code Released 13th November 2020 £19.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Pavement Quarantine The Past: The Best of Pavement £19.00 Genre: Rock And Pop Label: Matador SKU: OLE9001 Formats: 2LP, Includes Download Code Released Date: 13th November 2020 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders View Product Quick View Bill Callahan (Smog) Apocalypse Americana / Country | Drag City | 1LP Released 19th April 2011 £15.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Bill Callahan (Smog) Apocalypse £15.00 Genre: Americana / Country Label: Drag City SKU: DC450 Formats: 1LP Released Date: 19th April 2011 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders View Product Quick View Carpenters, The Collected Rock And Pop | Music On Vinyl | 180g, 2LP Released 27th October 2017 £28.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Carpenters, The Collected £28.00 Genre: Rock And Pop Label: Music On Vinyl SKU: MOVLP1919 Formats: 180g, 2LP Released Date: 27th October 2017 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders View Product Quick View J.D. Wilkes Fire Dream Rock And Pop | Big Legal Mess | 1LP Released 30th March 2018 £16.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders J.D. Wilkes Fire Dream £16.00 Genre: Rock And Pop Label: Big Legal Mess SKU: BLM0546 Formats: 1LP Released Date: 30th March 2018 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders View Product Quick View Johnny Cash American Recordings Vol 1 Americana / Country | American Recordings | 180g, 1LP, Includes Download Code Released 21st March 2014 £19.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Johnny Cash American Recordings Vol 1 £19.00 Genre: Americana / Country Label: American Recordings SKU: 5344169 Formats: 180g, 1LP, Includes Download Code Released Date: 21st March 2014 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders View Product Quick View Mono For My Parents Rock And Pop | Temporary Residence | 2LP Released 10th September 2012 £22.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Mono For My Parents £22.00 Genre: Rock And Pop Label: Temporary Residence SKU: TRR213LP Formats: 2LP Released Date: 10th September 2012 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders View Product Quick View Garcia Peoples Natural Facts Rock And Pop | Beyond Beyond Is Beyond | 1LP Released 27th March 2019 £18.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Garcia Peoples Natural Facts £18.00 Genre: Rock And Pop Label: Beyond Beyond Is Beyond SKU: LPBBIB052 Formats: 1LP Released Date: 27th March 2019 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders See more in Rock And Pop Start again
View Product Quick View Swans Feel Good Now – Live Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo | Mute | 2LP, Includes Download Code, Includes Poster Released 27th October 2023 £30.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Swans Feel Good Now – Live £30.00 Genre: Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo Label: Mute SKU: STUMM466 Formats: 2LP, Includes Download Code, Includes Poster Released Date: 27th October 2023 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders
View Product Quick View Swans The Beggar Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo | Mute | 2LP, Includes Download Code, Includes Poster Released 23rd June 2023 £34.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Swans The Beggar £34.00 Genre: Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo Label: Mute SKU: STUMM489 Formats: 2LP, Includes Download Code, Includes Poster Released Date: 23rd June 2023 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders
View Product Quick View Swans Public Castration Is A Good Idea Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo | Mute | 2LP, Includes Download Code Released 16th December 2022 £25.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Swans Public Castration Is A Good Idea £25.00 Genre: Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo Label: Mute SKU: STUMM394 Formats: 2LP, Includes Download Code Released Date: 16th December 2022 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders
View Product Quick View Swans Soundtracks for the Blind Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo | Mute | 4LP, Gatefold Sleeve, Includes Download Code Released 18th March 2022 £35.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Swans Soundtracks for the Blind £35.00 Genre: Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo Label: Mute SKU: LSTUMM421 Formats: 4LP, Gatefold Sleeve, Includes Download Code Released Date: 18th March 2022 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders
View Product Quick View Swans Children of God Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo | Mute | 2LP, Includes Download Code Released 13th November 2020 £22.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Swans Children of God £22.00 Genre: Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo Label: Mute SKU: STUMM453 Formats: 2LP, Includes Download Code Released Date: 13th November 2020 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders
View Product Quick View Swans Leaving Meaning Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo | Mute | 2LP, Includes Download Code Released 25th October 2019 £22.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Swans Leaving Meaning £22.00 Genre: Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo Label: Mute SKU: STUMM446 Formats: 2LP, Includes Download Code Released Date: 25th October 2019 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders
View Product Quick View Swans Soundtracks For The Blind Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo | Mute | 4LP, Box Set Released 20th July 2018 £60.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Swans Soundtracks For The Blind £60.00 Genre: Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo Label: Mute SKU: STUMM421 Formats: 4LP, Box Set Released Date: 20th July 2018 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders
View Product Quick View Swans Die Tür Ist Zu Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo | Mute | 2LP Released 20th July 2018 £22.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Swans Die Tür Ist Zu £22.00 Genre: Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo Label: Mute SKU: STUMM422 Formats: 2LP Released Date: 20th July 2018 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders
View Product Quick View Swans The Great Annihilator Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo | Mute | 2LP, Includes Download Code Released 3rd May 2017 £22.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Swans The Great Annihilator £22.00 Genre: Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo Label: Mute SKU: STUMM402 Formats: 2LP, Includes Download Code Released Date: 3rd May 2017 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders
View Product Quick View Swans The Burning World Rock And Pop | 1972 | 1LP Released 10th March 2014 £32.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Swans The Burning World £32.00 Genre: Rock And Pop Label: 1972 SKU: IF26 Formats: 1LP Released Date: 10th March 2014 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders
View Product Quick View Mutual Benefit Skip A Sinking Stone (Indies Only) Rock And Pop | Transgressive | 1LP, Coloured Vinyl, Includes Download Code Released 20th May 2016 £17.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Mutual Benefit Skip A Sinking Stone (Indies Only) £17.00 Genre: Rock And Pop Label: Transgressive SKU: TRANS229XX Formats: 1LP, Coloured Vinyl, Includes Download Code Released Date: 20th May 2016 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders
Matt's picks View Product Quick View Boo Radleys, The Giant Steps (30th Anniversary Edition) Rock And Pop | Two Piers | 10", 2LP, Coloured Vinyl, Gatefold Sleeve, Includes Download Code Released 1st September 2023 £33.00 - £34.00 Select options Boo Radleys, The Giant Steps (30th Anniversary Edition) £33.00 - £34.00 Genre: Rock And Pop Label: Two Piers Formats: 10", 2LP, Coloured Vinyl, Gatefold Sleeve, Includes Download Code Released Date: 1st September 2023 Read More Select options
View Product Quick View Amanda Palmer There Will Be No Intermission Rock And Pop | 8ft Records | 2LP Released 12th March 2019 £25.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Amanda Palmer There Will Be No Intermission £25.00 Genre: Rock And Pop Label: 8ft Records SKU: 8FT054LPX Formats: 2LP Released Date: 12th March 2019 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders
View Product Quick View Pavement Quarantine The Past: The Best of Pavement Rock And Pop | Matador | 2LP, Includes Download Code Released 13th November 2020 £19.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Pavement Quarantine The Past: The Best of Pavement £19.00 Genre: Rock And Pop Label: Matador SKU: OLE9001 Formats: 2LP, Includes Download Code Released Date: 13th November 2020 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders
View Product Quick View Bill Callahan (Smog) Apocalypse Americana / Country | Drag City | 1LP Released 19th April 2011 £15.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Bill Callahan (Smog) Apocalypse £15.00 Genre: Americana / Country Label: Drag City SKU: DC450 Formats: 1LP Released Date: 19th April 2011 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders
View Product Quick View Carpenters, The Collected Rock And Pop | Music On Vinyl | 180g, 2LP Released 27th October 2017 £28.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Carpenters, The Collected £28.00 Genre: Rock And Pop Label: Music On Vinyl SKU: MOVLP1919 Formats: 180g, 2LP Released Date: 27th October 2017 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders
View Product Quick View J.D. Wilkes Fire Dream Rock And Pop | Big Legal Mess | 1LP Released 30th March 2018 £16.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders J.D. Wilkes Fire Dream £16.00 Genre: Rock And Pop Label: Big Legal Mess SKU: BLM0546 Formats: 1LP Released Date: 30th March 2018 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders
View Product Quick View Johnny Cash American Recordings Vol 1 Americana / Country | American Recordings | 180g, 1LP, Includes Download Code Released 21st March 2014 £19.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Johnny Cash American Recordings Vol 1 £19.00 Genre: Americana / Country Label: American Recordings SKU: 5344169 Formats: 180g, 1LP, Includes Download Code Released Date: 21st March 2014 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders
View Product Quick View Mono For My Parents Rock And Pop | Temporary Residence | 2LP Released 10th September 2012 £22.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Mono For My Parents £22.00 Genre: Rock And Pop Label: Temporary Residence SKU: TRR213LP Formats: 2LP Released Date: 10th September 2012 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders
View Product Quick View Garcia Peoples Natural Facts Rock And Pop | Beyond Beyond Is Beyond | 1LP Released 27th March 2019 £18.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Garcia Peoples Natural Facts £18.00 Genre: Rock And Pop Label: Beyond Beyond Is Beyond SKU: LPBBIB052 Formats: 1LP Released Date: 27th March 2019 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders