Review of album by Skin

1. 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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2. 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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3. 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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4. 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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5. 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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6. 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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7. done. The silver colored inner sleeve contains the credits on
the front and the lyrics on the back.
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