Arguably Michael Gira's finest work outside of his pioneering noise band, Swans, HOW I LOVED YOU is an atypically low-key, at times downright beautiful album blending acoustic guitar, piano, accordion, banjo, and quirky orchestrated passages underneath Gira's conversational vocals. One of the centerpiece tracks is called "Song For Nico," and comparisons to classic Nico albums like THE MARBLE INDEX and DESERTSHORE are not far off the mark. Serge Gainsbourg circa HISTOIRE DE MELODY NELSON is another musical touchstone: while Gira's album is nowhere near as musically lavish, a similarly uneasy mood of queasy eroticism, dread, and languor runs through tracks like "Jennifer's Sorry," "New City in the Future," and the 12-minute epic closer, "Two Women." Fans of the more aggressive aspects of Swans might be somewhat disappointed with the album's generally placid mood, though the sometimes disturbing lyrics connect HOW I LOVED YOU to Gira's more transgressive works.
Principally recorded at Excello, Brooklyn, New York; Spa Studios, New York, New York.
Recording information: Excello, Brooklyn, NY; Mini-Moose, Brooklyn, NY; Moose; Spa, New York, NY.
Editor: Doug Henderson.
Angels Of Light includes: Michael R. Gira (vocals, acoustic & electric guitars); Christoph Hahn (electric guitar, lap steel guitar); Birgit-Cassis Staudt (accordion, melodica, piano, keyboards, background vocals).
Uncut (8/01, p.87) - 3 1/2 stars out of 5 - "...A shimmering, widescreen sound..." Alternative Press (6/01, p.76) - 4 out of 5 - "...Moody, layered, acoustic based tunes topped with Michael Gira's heartfelt vocals....Very moving...' Magnet (6-7/01, p.78) - "...Some of the most thoughtful and though-provoking songwriting around..." CMJ (4/23/01, p.4) - "...A collection of love songs that's both beautiful and fret-filled..." Mojo (Publisher) (6/01, p.96) - "...An uplifting, even redemptive experience..." NME (Magazine) (9/15/01, p.39) - 7 out of 10 - "...It's goth...beautiful arranged and in very huge spaces of time....basically, Gira and his angels are Godspeed You Black Clothing..."
Chad Swanberg; Chad Swanberg; Doug Henderson; Hillary Johnson
Personnel
Larry Mullins - Farfisa, vibraphone, glockenspiel, drums, castanets, tambourine, timpani, sleigh bell Thor Harris - dulcimer, hammer dulcimer, piano, background vocals Bliss Blood - vocals, ukulele, musical saw, background vocals Christopher Hahn - electric guitar, lap steel guitar Kid Congo Powers - electric guitar Michael Gira - vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar Siobhan Duffy - vocals, background vocals Birgit Staudt - accordion, melodica, piano, background vocals
Angels Of Light - How I Loved You Songs
Angels Of Light - How I Loved You Album Track Listing
Trk
Song
1
Evangeline
2
Untitled Love Song
3
My True Body
4
Jennifer's Sorry
5
Song For Nico
6
New City in the Future
7
My Suicide
8
New York Girls
9
Public Embarrassment Blues
10
Two Women
How I Loved You Review
How I Loved You Music Reviews
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