Labels

Angels of Light


Formed: 1998
Location: New York, New York, USA
Genre: Folk, Neofolk, Gothic Country
Years Active: 1998 - 2009
Core Members: Michael Gira
Way of Working: Singular vision
Associated: Swans

Essential Releases

Dummy

New Mother (1999)

Born from the ashes of Swans. Michael Gira's haunting folk whispers to the soul.

Album Title 2

How I Loved
You (2001)

Poetic, depressing and deepy passionate.

Album Title 3

Everything Is Good
Here (2003)

Darkly atmospheric and spiritual.

Album Title 3

We Are Him (2007)

Intense music fit for the apocalypse.



On a dark mid-nineties night, a terrible thing happened in the world of music. Michael Gira abruptly ended the avant-garde, industrial outfit Swans, and when he did a rabid fanbase mourned their loss. The band was one of a kind, known for their lyrical depth and sombre artistic vision. They made existential, uncompromising music for adults that wasn't remotely concerned with accessibility or commercial appeal, and their fans loved them for it.

For them, the split felt like death, as if something irreplaceable had been lost. A significant number of them resisted Gira's new project, Angels of Light, formed two years later, like grieving kids taking umbrage at mum's new boyfriend. It was too soon!

Angels of Light's music was more melodic than Swans', the songs were more conventional and in the place of rock was a stripped-down brand of folk, but over time, as the work's intensity and profound depth became clear, the fans were won over.


Skills

*This is a work in progress. Values are subjective.

Emotional Impact

i Does it connect with the heart? What does it make you feel and how much of it?
95

Mental Impact

i Does it connect with the head? Social issues, interesting observations, clever lyrics, similies etc.
80

Originality

i Are they unique? Did they break new ground, use new techniques or create new genres.
45

Artistry

i Using creativity and imagination to present themselves in a unique way. Example, Wu-Tang Clan as Shaolin and Marvel characters etc.
40

Authenticity

i Do they really mean what they say? Is it autobiographical, personal?
90

Live

i Stage presence, working the crowd, performance. Miming, forgetting lyrics reduce this.
80

Production

i Studio techniques. More important for electronic music including hip hop.
60

Musicianship

i Their ability to play individually and as a group. Technical skills. DJing. Freestyling for hip hop.
75

Singing

i Technical attributes.
65

Songwriting

i Storytelling. Cohesive themes. Is the song about something? Stan by Eminem is an example of excellent songwriting.
90

Danceability

i Does it make you move? Do you tap your foot, nod your head or move your whole body?
10

Fun

i Is listening to it a good time? Are the lyrics funny? Depressing themes lowers value.
10

Consistency

i Have they put out good music across their careers. Two good albums and 5 band ones will reduce this value.
85

Range

i Fast, slow, ballads, party jams. Do they go beyond their own genre?
25

Cool

i Laid-back, icy detachment, unflustered.
60

Charisma

i Factors include appearance, force of personality. Elvis making people faint etc.
35

Commercial & Critical Success

Awards

Certifications

Charts

Critics

Similar Acts



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