This week we're interviewing Michael Gira: leader, vocalist, guitarist, and main songwriter for the legendary Swans. Swans' latest album, entitled Birthing, releases on May 30 and is reported by Gira to be the band's final large-sounding, expansive album. Michael was generous enough to have a phone conversation with Mike and Tom to talk all about it, as well as his creative process as a whole. Swans are a band like no other and if you haven't already, check out all of our episodes chronicling each of their studio albums. Episode 150: Swans (Pt. 1) https://youtu.be/R5ltWzL0vI8 Episode 160: Swans (Pt. 2) https://youtu.be/J4dbhdpO84Y Episode 170: Swans (Pt. 3) https://youtu.be/QEQmqFQ-rbE Intro 00:00 Interview Start 1:27 The Initial Songwriting Process 5:58 Michael's Lyrical Themes and Motifs 8:20 Outside Influences on Birthing 11:58 Why Michael Chose Music Instead of Art 17:41 Swans' Live Performances 18:57 Percussion Choices on Birthing 25:13 Composing Birthing's Songs In-Studio 26:36 Did Michael Plan for This To Be the Last Big Swans Album? 30:06 The New Direction for Swans 31:40 2025 Touring Plans, Birthing Release 32:25 Closing Words with Michael 35:25 Outro 36:05 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Patreon https://www.patreon.com/everyalbumever Merch https://pandermonkey.creator-spring.com/ Mike’s EP: Pander Monkey on Bandcamp, Spotify, Apple, Mike on Instagram @pandermonkey Alex on Bluesky @octatron3030 Tom on Instagram @tomosmansounds History Tom’s stuff: Music on Spotify, Apple Podcast on Spotify, YouTube Substack Website
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Episode 219: Eyehategod
This week we're discussing every album by Eyehategod. From New Orleans, Eyehategod are one of the most quintessential sludge metal bands that exists. Led by vocalist Mike IX Williams and guitarist Jimmy Bower, this band has been through hell since their formation in 1988. But they're still going strong after being wrecked with drug abuse, incarceration, and death. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Patreon https://www.patreon.com/everyalbumever Merch https://pandermonkey.creator-spring.com/ Mike’s EP: Pander Monkey on Bandcamp, Spotify, Apple, Mike on Instagram @pandermonkey Alex on Bluesky @octatron3030 Tom on Instagram @tomosmansounds History Tom’s stuff: Music on Spotify, Apple Podcast on Spotify, YouTube Substack Website ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mike's Picks: In the Name of Suffering (1990) -- Best Album, Personal Favorite Take as Needed for Pain (1993) -- Worst Album, Least Favorite Alex's Picks: Take as Needed for Pain (1993) -- Best Album Eyehategod (2014) -- Personal Favorite A History of Nomadic Behavior (2021) -- Worst Album, Least Favorite Albums we discussed this episode... In the Name of Suffering (1990) Take as Needed for Pain (1993) Dopesick (1996) Confederacy of Ruined Lives (2000) Eyehategod (2014) A History of Nomadic Behavior (2021)
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Loose Ends | The World Is Still Here and So Are We by mclusky
This week we're tying up some loose ends by discussing the world is still here and so are we, the reunion album by mclusky. This is a reunion neither of us saw coming, but is shaping up to be one of the most memorable musical moments of the year. If you're a mclusky fan, chances are you won't be disappointed by this album. It's as fun, wild, and unpredictable as we've come to expect from these guys. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Patreon https://www.patreon.com/everyalbumever Merch https://pandermonkey.creator-spring.com/ Mike’s EP: Pander Monkey on Bandcamp, Spotify, Apple, Mike on Instagram @pandermonkey Alex on Bluesky @octatron3030 Tom on Instagram @tomosmansounds History Tom’s stuff: Music on Spotify, Apple Podcast on Spotify, YouTube Substack Website
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Episode 218: Green on Red
This week we're discussing every album by Green on Red. Let's not beat around the bush here. We hated this band and if we had any idea what they sounded like before this episode, we wouldn't have agreed to do it. It's our fault, honestly. But we listened to every album thoroughly regardless. They're a country rock band led by Dan Stuart and that's about all you need to know. Enter with caution. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Patreon https://www.patreon.com/everyalbumever Merch https://pandermonkey.creator-spring.com/ Mike’s EP: Pander Monkey on Bandcamp, Spotify, Apple, Mike on Instagram @pandermonkey Alex on Bluesky @octatron3030 Tom on Instagram @tomosmansounds History Tom’s stuff: Music on Spotify, Apple Podcast on Spotify, YouTube Substack Website ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mike's Picks: Two Bibles EP (1981) -- Best Record, Personal Favorite No Free Lunch EP (1985) -- Worst Record, Least Favorite Alex's Picks: Green on Red (1982) -- Best Album, Personal Favorite Scapegoats (1991) -- Worst Album, Least Favorite Albums we discussed this episode... Two Bibles EP (1981) Green on Red (1982) Gravity Talks (1983) Gas Food Lodging (1985) No Free Lunch EP (1985) The Killer Inside Me (1987) Here Come the Snakes (1989) This Time Around (1989) Scapegoats (1991) Too Much Fun (1992)
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Lonely People with Power by Deafheaven | Album Review
This week we're discussing Lonely People with Power, the latest album by Deafheaven. We've been massive fans of Deafheaven for years, but 2021's Infinite Granite had us split down the middle. Lonely People with Power shows the band returning to black metal in a massive way, shattering any assumptions people may have had that they are now a full-blown shoegaze band. Once again Deafheaven proves they are more than capable songwriters and continue to experiment in innovative ways. Crank this one. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Patreon https://www.patreon.com/everyalbumever Merch https://pandermonkey.creator-spring.com/ Mike’s EP: Pander Monkey on Bandcamp, Spotify, Apple, Mike on Instagram @pandermonkey Alex on Bluesky @octatron3030 Tom on Instagram @tomosmansounds History Tom’s stuff: Music on Spotify, Apple Podcast on Spotify, YouTube Substack Website
About Every Album Ever with Mike Mansour & Alex Volz
Are you a music nerd? If so, we already love you. Every week we dissect the entire discography of a different artist—album by album. Even the albums they probably wish we wouldn't. Come discover some amazing new artists with us every Tuesday!
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