SHAME HUMILITY REVENGE by SKIN

8/7/2019 SHAME HUMILITY REVENGE by SKIN

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SHAME, HUMILITY, REVENGE

by SKIN

Reviewed by Pieter Uys

These atmospheric tracks were recorded in London, October

to December 1986, before the recording of Children of God

in Cornwall during February & March the next year. The

instruments include piano, keyboards, cello, piano, strings,

violins, viola, double bass, acoustic guitar, Indian oboe,

programmed drums and 'sounds.'

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Nowhere does Gira sound as human as on the grandly

orchestral Nothing Without You where Jarboe’s spectral

wordless vocals introduce and eventually interact with Gira’s

slow groaning delivery over strings and edgy guitar rhythms

to create a feeling of genuine tenderness, an emotion not

usually found in his music.

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The brooding Everything at Once commences with electronic

buzzing and raw rhythmic strumming that precede his

spooky semi-whispered and choral vocals. Weird drones

enter and eventually all the disparate sounds merge in a

strange cohesive unity. On Breathing Water he sings against

a highly complex arrangement that hints of Branca’s guitar

symphonies & about a theme that echoes Swans albeit with

lesser intensity, while Jarboe’s choral vocals eerily interact

with his soft and gentle speaking voice on the ghostly Center

of your Heart.

The semi-instrumental Cold Bed, a mix of humming, violins

& viola embellished by darkly powerful piano & keyboards, is

followed by 24 Hours where Jarboe’s other-worldly

vocalizing prepares the way for Gira's voice which rises

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strong and bold, approaching the shouting mode found on

later songs like New Mind.

In arrangement, theme and vocal style, One Small Sacrifice

calls to mind Our Love Lies, that final word on spiritual

exhaustion which is found on the 4-track EP Love Will Tear

Us Apart and Children of God.

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Concluding the album on a majestic note of despair, Turned

to Stone with its classical structure showcases his world-

weary groan over a haunting melody. This is one of the most

disturbing songs ever recorded.

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The sound shares a mournful spirituality with Children of

God but its articulation takes a different track.

There's a unique tone & texture to Shame, Humility,

Revenge, something unlike anything that Swans, Body

Lovers, Angels of Light or the revived Swans have ever

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done. The silver colored inner sleeve contains the credits on

the front and the lyrics on the back.

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SHAME HUMILITY REVENGE by SKIN

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