That's a toughie.

I can't decide, so in lieu of voting, I shall crap me pants.

Not a big fan of either, although I was at various times in my life.
Sonic Youth has seemed really weak from "Goo" on.
Swans, on the other hand, I was a fan of until I saw M. Gira live in Angels of Light at the Subterranean in Chicago. He was extremely moody and also very demanding of the venue's setup crew. I thought I was watching Axl Rose or some other rock diva. I was so dissapointed in what I wasted my money on that night, that I have lost interest in his music.
Has anyone else had an experience similar to this where a performer was had such strong negative qualities that your opinion of their output changed dramatically?
Was anyone else at this show who either agrees with me or thinks I am way off base?
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I choose Circle X.

sonic youth are capable to make crap thinks...swans never!!! ....... the swans definitly!!!

Sonic Youth have moved me greatly with some songs, and their influence I'm sure is mighty. But they haven't kept me warm on an empty east London building site, nor would I expect them to.

Swans.

You should be raped for not choosing Swans.

Love Swans
Picking Sonic Youth.

There's room for both in my world though.
When it comes to No Wave, I get all "big tent" and shit.

-A

Swans were/are wildly inconsistent. Gira thinks he's a singer songwriter bob dylan type. They were a fine band at times, and could pack quite a wallop live in the "rolling thunder" days. Servicable, very good to excellent at times.

SY is one of the most original and influential bands ever to appear on the world stage in the last 25 years. No contest. Not even in the same league.

well, sonic youth didn't produce that huge amount of crap the swans did.

swans did "cop/young god" though.

sonic youth anyway

S W A N S

For emotional commitment and integrity. SY haven't had any of this since 1988.