White Light from the Mouth of Infinity

White Light from the Mouth of Infinity
White Light from the Mouth of Infinity
Studio album by Swans
Released	June 6, 1991
Recorded	September 1990 – February 1991
Studio	B. Monster Studios, New York City, United States
Genre	Post-punk; psychedelic rock;
Length	69:19
Label	Young God
Producer	Michael Gira
Swans chronology
Singles from White Light from the Mouth of Infinity
	"Love Will Save You"; Released: 1991;

White Light from the Mouth of Infinity is the seventh studio album by American experimental rock band Swans. It was released in 1991, through the record label Young God. In 2015, it was remastered and made available again digitally and in a 3CD (and 3LP) set along with Love of Life and an album of bonus tracks.

Critical reception[]

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	^[3]
Pitchfork	7.9/10^[4]

White Light from the Mouth of Infinity has generally received positive reviews. AllMusic described the album as "stunning" and a "clear starting point for the second half of Swans' unique career".^[3]

Track listing[]

All tracks are written by Michael Gira.

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Better Than You"	5:51
2.	"Power and Sacrifice"	5:37
3.	"You Know Nothing"	5:46
4.	"Song for Dead Time"	5:24
5.	"Will We Survive"	6:51
6.	"Love Will Save You"	6:06
7.	"Failure"	6:20
8.	"Song for the Sun"	5:03
9.	"Miracle of Love"	6:43
10.	"When She Breathes"	5:03
11.	"Why Are We Alive?"	5:29
12.	"The Most Unfortunate Lie"	5:02
Total length:		69:19

2015 Remaster version
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Better Than You"	5:51
2.	"Power and Sacrifice"	5:36
3.	"You Know Nothing"	5:46
4.	"Song for Dead Time" (alternate version)	4:58
5.	"Will We Survive" (edited version)	5:59
6.	"Love Will Save You"	6:06
7.	"Failure"	6:20
8.	"Song for the Sun"	5:03
9.	"Miracle of Love"	6:43
10.	"Blind" (bonus track on reissue)	4:31
11.	"When She Breathes" (alternate version)	4:31
12.	"Why Are We Alive?" (extended version)	6:00
13.	"The Most Unfortunate Lie"	5:02
Total length:		72:26

Personnel[]

Michael Gira – vocals, backing vocals, acoustic guitar, keyboards, effects, samples, production
Jarboe – vocals, backing vocals, keyboards, choral and orchestral arrangements
Christoph Hahn – acoustic and electric guitar
Cliton Steele – acoustic and electric guitar
Norman Westberg – electric guitar
Jenny Wade – bass guitar
Anton Fier – drums, drum programming
Nicky Skopelitis – acoustic and electric guitar, baglama, bazouki, banjo
Vincent Signorelli – percussion
Hahn Rowe – violin
Steve Burgh – mandolin, 12-string guitar
J. G. Thirlwell – engineering, re-mix assistance, programming and co-production on "Power and Sacrifice"
Bryce Goggin – engineering
Steve McAllister – engineering, programming (additional)
Deryk Thomas – front cover illustration
John Sarfell – inner sleeve foldout painting
Patricia Mooney – sleeve layout
Brian Martin – re-mixing
Alex Armitage – re-mix assistance

Charts[]

Chart (2016)	Peak position
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)^[5]	195

References[]

^ Terich, Jeff; Bossenger, A.T. (November 13, 2014). "10 Essential American post-punk albums". Treble. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
^ Lariviere, Aaron (November 9, 2012). "Swans Albums From Worst To Best - White Light from the Mouth of Infinity". Stereogum. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
^ Jump up to: ^a ^b Raggett, Ned. "White Light from the Mouth of Infinity - Swans | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved February 20, 2013.
^ Sherburne, Philip (December 2, 2015). "Swans: White Light from the Mouth of Infinity / Love of Life". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 4, 2015.
^ "Ultratop.be – Swans – White Light from the Mouth of Infinity" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved January 23, 2016.

External links[]

White Light from the Mouth of Infinity at Discogs (list of releases)

This 1990s album–related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by .

[1] Terich, Jeff; Bossenger, A.T. (November 13, 2014). "10 Essential American post-punk albums". Treble. Retrieved July 17, 2020.

[2] Lariviere, Aaron (November 9, 2012). "Swans Albums From Worst To Best - White Light from the Mouth of Infinity". Stereogum. Retrieved July 17, 2020.

[AllMusic-3] Jump up to: ^a ^b Raggett, Ned. "White Light from the Mouth of Infinity - Swans | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved February 20, 2013.

[4] Sherburne, Philip (December 2, 2015). "Swans: White Light from the Mouth of Infinity / Love of Life". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 4, 2015.

[ac_Flanders_Swans-5] "Ultratop.be – Swans – White Light from the Mouth of Infinity" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved January 23, 2016.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

show v t Swans
Michael Gira Jarboe Algis Kizys Ted Parsons Thurston Moore Roli Mosimann Vincent Signorelli Bill Rieflin Toby Dammit Jonathan Kane Thor Harris Christopher Pravdica Phil Puleo Paul Wallfisch Norman Westberg
Studio albums	Filth Cop Greed Holy Money Children of God The Burning World White Light from the Mouth of Infinity Love of Life The Great Annihilator Soundtracks for the Blind My Father Will Guide Me Up a Rope to the Sky The Seer To Be Kind The Glowing Man Leaving Meaning
Fundraiser albums	I Am Not Insane We Rose from Your Bed with the Sun in Our Head Not Here / Not Now The Gate What Is This?
Live albums	Public Castration Is a Good Idea Feel Good Now Anonymous Bodies in an Empty Room Real Love Omniscience Kill the Child Swans Are Dead We Rose from Your Bed with the Sun in Our Head Not Here / Not Now The Gate Deliquescence
Compilation albums	Body to Body, Job to Job Children of God/World of Skin Various Failures Filth/Body to Body, Job to Job Cop/Young God Greed/Holy Money Forever Burned
EPs	Swans Young God Love Will Tear Us Apart Die Tür ist zu Oxygen
Singles	"A Screw" "Time Is Money (Bastard)" "New Mind" "Can't Find My Way Home" "Saved" "Celebrity Lifestyle"
Related articles	Discography Young God Records Angels of Light The Body Lovers / The Body Haters Cop Shoot Cop Of Cabbages and Kings Prong Sulfur Unsane World of Skin Where Does a Body End?