White Light from the Mouth of Infinity

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 (or 3LP) set along with Love of Life and an album of bonus tracks.

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[1] psychedelic rock[2]
Length	69:19
Label	Young God
Producer	Michael Gira
Swans chronology
Anonymous Bodies in an Empty Room (1990) White Light from the Mouth of Infinity (1991) Body to Body, Job to Job (1991)
Singles from White Light from the Mouth of Infinity
"Love Will Save You" Released: 1991

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

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.
3. 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.
5. "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)