Swimming by The Names
'Swimming' is the acclaimed debut album by Belgian new wave group The Names, originally issued by Les Disques du Crépuscule in June 1982.
Between 1979 and 1982 The Names recorded a string of excellent records for Factory, Factory Benelux and Crépuscule, all helmed by legendary producer Martin Hannett. Recorded at Strawberry Studios in Manchester, 'Swimming' is now regarded as a cold wave classic, combining strong songwriting from Michel Sordinia and poised, tasteful delivery by guitarist Marc Deprez and keyboards player Christophe Den Tandt.
The 4 bonus tracks are from the band's John Peel radio session recorded in London in February 1982, the first ever recorded by a Belgian band.
"Exhibits many of the fine qualities of early 80s avant-rock: icy brutalism, spectral reverb, tormented vocals, techno-tribal rumbles" (Uncut, 2000)
"Swimming retains a gorgeously shrouded, sepulchral mood" (Mojo, 2011)
"Heard now, Swimming shimmers like an underwater version of The Cure, crystalline and fractured" (The Arts Desk, 2013)
"Dark yet sparkling" (Record Collector, 2013)
Tracklist
| 1. | Discovery | 4:21 |
| 2. | Floating World | 2:51 |
| 3. | The Fire | 3:38 |
| 4. | Life By the Sea | 4:47 |
| 5. | White Shadow | 5:08 |
| 6. | (This Is) Harmony | 5:37 |
| 7. | Shanghai Gesture | 5:13 |
| 8. | Leave Her To Heaven | 4:58 |
| 9. | Light | 4:18 |
| 10. | Discovery (Peel Session) | 4:03 |
| 11. | Life By the Sea (Peel Session) | 4:34 |
| 12. | (This Is) Harmony (Peel Session) | 4:42 |
| 13. | Shanghai Gesture (Peel Session) | 5:12 |
Credits
Produced by Martin Hannett. Cover art by Benoît Hennebert.
