Filth
Swans · 1983
134 min · 27 tracks · alternative rock · progressive rock · post-punk
A brutal onslaught of distorted noise and haunting vocals, challenging the very limits of rock music's emotional and sonic boundaries.
Filth is an album by Swans, released in 1983. A brutal onslaught of distorted noise and haunting vocals, challenging the very limits of rock music's emotional and sonic boundaries. 'Filth' is significant for its raw intensity and avant-garde approach, influencing the industrial and noise rock genres. It received critical acclaim for its innovative sound and shocking themes, earning a lasting legacy that resonated with later artists exploring similar experimental paths. Here's what makes it worth your time and what to listen to next.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Filth sound like?
A brutal onslaught of distorted noise and haunting vocals, challenging the very limits of rock music's emotional and sonic boundaries. Rooted in alternative rock and progressive rock.
What makes Filth by Swans notable?
'Filth' is significant for its raw intensity and avant-garde approach, influencing the industrial and noise rock genres. It received critical acclaim for its innovative sound and shocking themes, earning a lasting legacy that resonated with later artists exploring similar experimental paths. Released in 1983, 'Filth' was Swans' debut studio album, emerging from the New York City no wave scene. At this point, frontman Michael Gira was establishing his artistic vision after the band's initial EPs, setting a dark, confrontational tone that would define their sound in subsequent works.
How many songs are on Filth?
Filth has 27 tracks, running approximately 134 minutes.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
Disc 1
- 1 Stay Here Standout 5:36
- 2 Big Strong Boss 3:02
- 3 Blackout 3:47
- 4 Power for Power Standout 5:52
- 5 Freak 1:13
- 6 Right Wrong 4:43
- 7 Thank You 3:52
- 8 Weakling 5:20
- 9 Gang 3:24
- 10 Live at the Kitchen, N.Y.C. 1982/3: Strip/Burn / Heatsheet / Blackout / Clay Man / Stay Here / Weakling 24:18
Disc 2
- 1 I’ll Cry for You 5:41
- 2 Red Sheet 3:11
- 3 Loop 33 0:59
- 4 Your Game 3:57
- 5 Seal It Over 3:48
- 6 Whore Standout 3:56
- 7 We’ll Hang for That 3:55
- 8 Half Life 3:57
- 9 Loop 21 1:26
- 10 Get Out 3:31
- 11 Job 5:40
- 12 Loop 1 1:01
- 13 Mother, My Body Disgusts Me 4:53
- 14 Cop 5:56
- 15 Only I Can Hear, Only I Can Touch 2:41
- 16 Thug 9:44
- 17 Raping a Slave (live Berlin 1984) 9:02
Release Date
January 1, 1983
Artist Origin
United States
Runtime
134 min 34 sec
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