Swans are following in a line of recently reformed bands that few thought would ever reform – particularly after making it clear that the last tour was a farewell event. Swans have announced a new tour and a new album but it will be without longtime member and vocalist, Jarboe. I am curious if this reunion was from an enticement from a festival such as Coachella as seems to be the case, I suspect anyway, for many of the other reunions. Whatever the reasons, I will be sure to go see them during this tour and am very curious what of the several stylistically disparate phases they will focus on. Myself, I am the biggest fan of the spurned ‘burning rabbit’ albums White Light… and Love of Life as well as Children of God, which, it seems, is, for whatever reason, considered a loathsome era as far as what I gather from statements from Michael Gira and others.
Jarboe, on the other hand, seems to be doing her own thing. She did a collaboration with Neurosis, has released numerous recordings, and recently toured her new band as the Living Jarboe. Here is a recording from the rescheduled show (stupid Icelandic volcano) at Union Pool. [Thanks to operative Mark.] This is a track from an earlier collaboration with Neurosis as performed by her current band.
[audio: http://www.thesoundofindie.com/archive/2010/20100615/Jarboe-Within.mp3|titles=Within (Live)|artists=Jarboe]Download: Jarboe – Within (Live)