White Light from the Mouth of Infinity

White Light from the Mouth of Infinity is the seventh album by the American band Swans. It was released in 1991, through the record label Young God. The band supported the album with a North American tour.

In 2015, it was remastered and made available 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
Los Angeles Times
Mojo
Pitchfork	7.9/10
Spin Alternative Record Guide	5/10

The Los Angeles Times wrote that Michael Gira's "search for heaven and hell—in both mind and body—continues on its fascinating, sometimes harrowing way."

AllMusic described the album as "stunning" and a "clear starting point for the second half of Swans' unique career."

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
Clinton Steele – acoustic and electric guitar
Norman Westberg – electric guitar on "Better than You"
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)	195

References

Terich, Jeff; Bossenger, A.T. (November 13, 2014). "10 Essential American post-punk albums". Treble. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
^ Sherburne, Philip (December 2, 2015). "Swans: White Light from the Mouth of Infinity / Love of Life". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 4, 2015.
Lariviere, Aaron (November 9, 2012). "Swans Albums From Worst To Best - White Light from the Mouth of Infinity". Stereogum. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
"Swans". Trouser Press. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
Unsworth, Cathi (April 27, 1991). "White Light from the Mouth of Infinity by Swans". Melody Maker. 68 (17): 36.
Buttars, Lori (April 24, 1992). "Swans dive into town". The Salt Lake Tribune. p. D6.
^ Raggett, Ned. "White Light from the Mouth of Infinity - Swans | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved February 20, 2013.
^ Hochman, Steve (January 5, 1992). "In Brief". Calendar. Los Angeles Times. p. 57.
Perry, Andrew (February 2016). "Swans: White Light From The Mouth Of Infinity/ Love of Life". Mojo. No. 267. p. 104.
Spin Alternative Record Guide. Vintage Books. 1995. pp. 390, 391.
"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)

v t e Swans
Michael Gira Jarboe Algis Kizys Ted Parsons Thurston Moore Roli Mosimann Vincent Signorelli Bill Rieflin Jonathan Kane Kristof Hahn 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 The Beggar
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? Is There Really a Mind?
Live albums	Public Castration Is a Good Idea Feel Good Now Anonymous Bodies in an Empty Room 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 Various Failures Forever Burned
EPs	Swans Young God A Screw Love Will Tear Us Apart Die Tür ist zu Oxygen
Singles	"Time Is Money (Bastard)" "New Mind" "Can't Find My Way Home" "Saved" "Paradise Is Mine"
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?

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