M. Gira "The Somniloquist" Young God Records YG04 (73:17)
Bloodsucker (5:49)
The
Sex Machine (12:20)
MTV
and the Cult of the Body (25:00)
The Idiot (17:10)
My
Birth (12:58)
"The Somniloquist" (meaning 'one who talks in his sleep') is a limited edition (2000) 73 minute spoken word album by former SWANS and The Angels of Light leader Michael Gira available signed direct from the SWANS web site. The disc is divided into 5 stories read live: Bloodsucker (1984), The Sex Machine (1994), MTV and the Cult of the Body (1996), The Idiot (1996) and My Birth (1996) that vary in length from 6 to 25 minutes apiece. The first two stories, or 'fairy tales' as Gira refers to them, may also be found in his 1994 book "The Consumer" on Henry Rollins' 2.13.61 book imprint. In short the tales cover these subjects: a person being physically and mentally eviscerated by another, a sex show, the clean-up of an air plane crash, a prisoner and his experiences in jail, the birth of a child and murder of the mother by the child. Consider these *adult* fairy tales. Gira's frequent inspirational sources are also found here: authority, control, virtual realities, fame, love, hate, sex, rape, violence, brutality, gore, etc. Gira has the same penchant for painting evocative images with words as he does with sounds. His speech is delivered in a nonchalant and deadpan, yet hypnotic manner deviating occasionally for an impassioned, whispered or sung line. His mastery of language and attention to detail is crucial to the visceral nature of these stories. You almost feel guilty for enjoying these tales which is probably the purpose of it's creation ... a confrontation of sorts with the darkest hidden inner thoughts, feelings and sides within individuals and society in general. Luckily for us Gira is not reluctant to share the fascinating and/or frightening bowels of his mind ...
Where did I get this cd? - mail order via Riouxs Records.