Spiderland

Love the atmosphere, dislike rhe vocals. Low 4 stars

Perhaps the most iconic album art that I've seen a million times and had absolutely no idea what the album was. Spoken word stuff is so strange, the instrumentals are unnerving, this is such a strange sonic experience and I really can't decide if I love it for that or if I never want to be anywhere near it again.

Maybe it’s just me, but the spoken words were overpowered by the music.

Sometimes I really enjoy the suggested album. This was not one of those times

I liked the musical aspect of this quite a lot but the talk singing was wearing. Also story graph has me longing for a .5 stars option.

I was listening to this during that big storm last night and there were long stretches where I couldn’t hear anything so then I went to turn it up and then suddenly the noisiest moment of noise ever heard came on. so hard to say overall exactly what it was like

2.5

I really did enjoy this album a pretty good bit it's kind of an artistic take on grunge. I can definitely hear their influence from Sonic Youth albums from about that time. I also feels like this in a way is a template to Nirvana's final album. But also gives early hints of post Rock I can kind of hear a little bit of Godspeed You! Black Emperor a bit in their sound as well. Definitely one that's interesting at least in its historical context 8.4 ★★★★

I don't know that I fully get the acclaim of this album, but I don't totally hate it either. There are some moments where it's pretty cool. "Washer" probably my favorite. 3 stars.

It’s okay in parts. They don’t really write songs, they just do sparse tetchy guitar and mumbly travel monologues with occasional bursts of emo wailing and grinding dull guitar crescendo. There was actually a far more important ‘Spiderland’ brewing elsewhere in 1991 in the animation sphere… “I like bunny rabbits, I like frogs. I like pussycats, and I like dogs. Talking to a tiger is like falling off a log. Being friendly to the animals is easy! I've got a couple of hamsters in the garden shed. One's called Sebastian, and the other's called Fred. I've even got a teddy bear I take to bed! Being friendly with the animals is easy! But, a spider in the bath, a spider in the bath! A creepy crawly, creepy crawly spider in the bath! I know he's only there because he wants to have a laugh! With hairy legs and beady eyes that terrify and tantalize! But, a spider in the bath, a spider in the bath! A creepy crawly, creepy crawly spider in the bath! I know he's only there because he wants to have a laugh! I thought I'd put it down the drain but now he's climbing up the chain! Spider in the bath! I like elephants, and I like mice. I'd take a lion cub at any price. I've even heard that crocodiles can be quite nice. Being friendly to the animals is easy! I like caterpillars. I like snails. I like a lizard with a very long tail. I'd even go swimming with a big white whale. Being friendly to the animals is easy! But, a spider in the bath, a spider in the bath! A creepy crawly, creepy crawly spider in the bath! I know he's only there because he wants to have a laugh! With hairy legs and beady eyes that terrify and tantalize! But, a spider in the bath, a spider in the bath! A creepy crawly, creepy crawly spider in the bath! I know he's only there because he wants to have a laugh! I thought I'd put it down the drain but now he's climbing up the chain! Spider in the bath! I've a horrible feeling that the spider's still there! He's hiding in the bathroom, but I don't know where. But bath time's over now, so i don't care! I thought I'd put him down the drain but now he's climbing up the chain!” Spiders and Spiderland? Eugh!

Im never listening to /mu/ again

hm. es isch uuuhuere en downer aber ich gseh nöd wieso mer sich das wür geh. megamega lngsam. ich glaub das isch musig wo pretentious rockkenner (bewusst ungegendert) gfallt.

oke s albumcover isch sehr cool MATHROCKKKK aso s chan au sehr schnell sehr müehsam werde hahaha aaaber die höchi, quietschendi gitarre findi recht cool bi nosferatu man (und au breadcrumb) NO MEH HÖCHI GITI sin sprechgsang passt I guess zude atmosphäre aber bin jz nöd de grööössti fan WOW OKAY BI DON, AMAN PASSTS SEEEHR huuere geili und chli creepy atmosphäre und washer het megaa en coole ahfang, es isch iwie mega schön aber driftet geg de schluss immer wieder ih de "creepy vibe" inne wow ich lieb washer würkli sehr fest JETZT NO IWIE SHOEGAZE??? und au klari metal-element findi RIESEEESONG for dinner isch es okays instrumental, s passiert chli weniger, passt aber sehr zum flow vom album NOMAAALLL hahaha ich han bim erste mal lose nöd cheggt, dass washer fast 9 min gaht mega fest es 5i

Losts of negative space in this album. It's pre-nirvana grunge. I can see why someone would like this, but its whispering and whining lyrics really wore me out.

eerste drie nummers zijn zeer goed, maar dan valt de boel plat... laatste nummer geeft nog de extra duw richting derde ster

Math rock? Come on?!? The first track reminds me of Nada Surf's Popular. I guess the first part does anyway. This feels like it's going to be a long listen. I think I just found Marcy Playground's favorite band. Some sweet drinking sounds.

Day1007 - it just kept getting worse and worse

Going into today’s listen, I had never heard of either Spiderland or the band Slint, so I had absolutely no idea what to expect. This is a really difficult album to review. My first listen flew by, but when it finished, I genuinely couldn’t decide whether I liked it or not. It’s a strange record, dark, sombre and almost unsettling at times. The songs develop slowly, creating this deep, haunting atmosphere, yet somehow it often feels like the music isn't really going anywhere. It’s a very unusual listening experience. There’s something about the sound that reminds me of Joy Division. It has that same bleak, brooding atmosphere and sense of unease. I can understand why this album developed such a following, particularly in the UK, where this darker, more experimental style of music has always had an audience. What I do like is the darkness of the lyrics and how stripped back everything sounds. Nothing feels overproduced or unnecessary. There’s a constant tension running through the album, as though something is about to happen, but it rarely quite arrives. The music builds and builds, and just when you think it’s finally going to explode into something, it pulls back again. By the time the album reaches its conclusion, you're almost left wanting more. And perhaps that’s what makes Spiderland so interesting. It’s not particularly catchy, there aren't any obvious big songs, and I’m still not entirely sure how much I enjoyed it. Yet there’s something strangely compelling about the whole thing. I’ll definitely listen to this album again, although I’m not entirely sure why! Maybe that’s the best compliment I can give it. It’s an album that leaves you feeling like there’s something you haven’t quite understood and makes you want to go back and work it out. Favourite track: Probably “Washer”. It’s difficult to pick one, but this stood out for its haunting atmosphere and slow build. Least favourite track: Nothing on here is particularly bad. It’s more an album that needs to be experienced as a whole. Album artwork: Strange yet somehow familiar. A really unusual cover that suits the unsettling atmosphere of the music perfectly.

One of my favourite albums ever. This has such an unsettling and eerie sound to it that I don't think I've heard replicated anywhere else. Nosferatu Man is my favourite song here but all 6 tracks on this thing are great while also managing to sound completely different from one another.

I can respect when musicians don't follow standard song structures and try to create new kinds of songs. Props for the effort. But I found this album weird and totally inaccessible.

I feel like I've heard a dozen albums like this (2.3/5) A worse version of shack

Fun fact: listening to math rock while working on orbital dynamics does not, I repeat, does not help solve any of the math. In fact it makes it harder

Honestly, not for me. It was fine at best? I was reading a bit and sounds like this paved the way for some future music, but I'd be curious to know what the future music was, because I did not like this really at all. Probably 2.25 or so.

Some people shit on punk rock for being 3 chords, but sections of this album are only one chord. Still the album is OK overall. ⭐⭐

Dreary, repetitious, self-satisfied.

Never heard of this band. The instrumentation was excellent shifting between grunge, gothic, dreary, to dissonant at times. Inconsistent vocals and the 15 minutes of wilderness sounds at the end of the album were negatives. But “Nosferatu Man” and “Good Morning, Captain” pushed this to 4-stars.

Did not enjoy. Soooo boring. This list confuses me sometimes.

Yes, I like it and I didn t hear ir befor🤗

Seminal album, one of my boyfriend's favourites and I love it too ❤️

Don’t understand this album at all

Loved it. There are warts, sure, but coming after Steely Dan, this record shows that perfection has its limits, and imperfection can be thrilling. Does not aim to please...and I'm fine with that.

Aika paskaa musiikkia

good!

Aw, this reminds me so much of other shitty indie bands I haven’t heard in years.

Low ball nothingness of dreariness

one of the best

Musically almost my jam. But I'm not into the vocals. 2,5

hell yeah

The music at times reminds me of Soundgarden, with grungy guitar buildup. Combined with the spoken and sometimes shouted lyrics, it builds a tension that never resolves. I think the best word to describe it is unsettling. The approach seems intentional but directionless. Not bad if you don't mind never reaching a destination.

Good background noise I guess? Don’t think I’ll remember this one

It was definitely different. Points for originality, but I didn’t really love it.

A bit triggered cause my ex had a towel with this album cover on it. Top bops: Nosferatu man Washer Good morning, captain

Bisschen weird

Wow! A surprisingly awesome record! I did not know what to expect. I was thinking one of those run of the mill indie/alt rock bands that were a dime a dozen in the 90s. I cannot even begin to explain to you this record, you just need to listen to it. It's got spoken word, it's got prog, it's got idie, it's got alt rock... as well as post-punk, post-rock and even some post-metal. Some parts and some songs would not be out of place on an album by an atmospheric black-metal band like Agalloch or Wolves In The Throne room, yet they sound nothing like them. This is a record that you must experience for yourself and see what it is all about in order to understand it or grasp it. As I said, it completely took me by surprise!

I’m a bit conflicted on this one but I’m feeling generous today so it’s a low four. There’s a lot here I do like but at times it’s a bit meandering and overly long. Really liked the final track; it was atmospheric.

Super weird. A dude talking over minimal guitar strumming for most of it. Garbage. 1* Oh I see, it's one of those "a genre only exists because of this album" albums: "Spiderland is widely regarded as foundational to the 1990s post-rock and math rock movements" UGHHH

phenomenal album cover

I’m a big Mogwai fan so was anticipating this greatly but this was a really difficult listen. Ponderous dirge is the best way I can put it. My first 1/5.

Allot of the songs just didn’t stick with me, like it didn’t feel catchy, it was produced great tho and I could understand why someone would like this

Samey and dirgey

This album was life changing is definitely in my top 10 albums ever if not even in my top 5. This work is intense, it makes you feel an overwhelming sense of everything. You have an overwhelming sense of dread, of fear, you have a taste in your mouth that just won’t go away. Spiderland delivers on these feelings that are so immense that we really can’t let it go. A breakup that just won’t go away. Like stepping into a dream in which you’re awake but nothing feels real. Spiderland is the pinnacle of post rock.

some white boy bullshit

Супер класика, культ і оце все. Я пам'ятаю, що мені, коли перші рази слухав, було досить складно пробратися через споукен частини, треба був час щоб притертися. Музично це звичайно вражало, особливо ці переходи між частинами пісень. Репетитивність працює ідеально. Здивований загальною низькою оцінкою цього альбому на цьому сайті.

Абсолютна й неперевершена класика, важко повірити що цим людям було умовно по 18-20 років під час запису альбому. Пощастило бути на реюніоні наживо і це було магічно. Washer в топі улюблених треків евер.

I love this album

Was it really only 40 mins long? Felt like a real slog to get through that one.

Não sei se é a capa do álbum, o silêncio ou toda a conjectura em volta dele, mas escutar Spiderland é como estar em um filme found footage. O que está longe de ser ruim, porque é uma das melhores vertentes do terror. É louco pensar que essa produção soa como a obra de uma banda experiente quando, na verdade, eram apenas garotos sem interesse algum em repetir tudo o que já tocava na época. Experimentação pela experimentação. Mais do que um álbum, parece um registro encontrado de algo estranho que aconteceu e nunca foi totalmente explicado!

MOODY

2.5

This was a weird one and very mellow in a way and long songs that went more off feeling and soundscapes in a way. It had heavy moments but it was more for effect Think I’m gonna go 3.5 or 4. Because I’ve never heard something like this really before. Heard hints of stuff but it was unique in a way. Definitely a headphone album and to not listen to these as verse chorus verse “Songs” This album is either gonna be a 3 or 4 but I’ll go higher for now. May edit later after few more listens

Was hoping to like this more after hearing about its cult status. I’ve grown to enjoy the whole “quiet to loud” thing, but a few of the songs here are just quiet. Without the loud part for contrast, it’s just kinda boring.

Too much talk singing for me

If I never have to listen to this album again it’ll be an entire eternity too soon… 1 star is far too high a score for this absolute assault on the ears but unfortunately there isn’t a way to give it less… I know some music is experimental but sometimes you have to admit the experiment failed… 40 minutes of the worst sounding high school wannabes, who barely know how to play an instrument and think they are being super profound and edgy… play this on a battlefield and you’d be facing charges for war crimes

Maybe not as sui generis in hindsight as it appeared in the late 90s/early 00s, but it still stands out as something with little precedent, a creation made for and by four super young dudes. Things come and go in cycles and the post-rock sound is likely due for a resurgence, but aside from a sub-culture of aficionados, the genre completely disappeared once the Strokes and the NY throwback bands hit. Which is a shame, but also this sound may have been taken as far as it could as early as Spiderland and diminishing returns were all that was left.

Post-rock, post-hardcore, math rock. Right. What is this. Why do I have to listen to this. What are we doing. It's not even that bad it's just so edgy and unenjoyable. At least it's short. And I like the titles they're kinda fun. You must bounce on it. Crazy style. Man. Oh nevermind. Just so emo. No one gaf lowkey. Just kinda bad. It is that bad. When your best song is the only instrumental somethings gone wrong. Maybe I am not refined enough to appreciate this but I'm okay with that tbh. Favourite: For Dinner... Least favourite: Nosferatu Man

Album #272 Slint: Spiderland Spiderland is an absolute classic of both post-rock and post-hardcore, being one of the first examples of the former, and a reinvention of the latter. As far as an album setting a tone goes, Spiderland might be one of the best to ever do it. It is almost over the top how sinister and bleak it comes across; it is essentially the sonic equivalent of psychopathy, completely devoid of emotion and sympathy for the listener. To me, this album feels like one of those campy 90s horror series, with each song feeling like a different episode of an anthology; like the album version of ‘Are You Afraid of the Dark’ which I intend to be taken as a great compliment. The pilot episode ‘Breadcrumb Trail’ is probably the most impressive feat on the album, a sprawling tale of love and human connection painted over with the aesthetic of a haunted carnival; you can’t help but feel like something ominous is about to happen to the narrator and the fortune teller, but on paper the entire affair feels completely banal. The writing here is exceptionally clever and diverse, which isn’t traditionally something I would expect from a band of this nature, although I guess there really isn’t another band of Slint’s nature. Their talent is amplified even more by the fact that they were just mere teenagers when they wrote the thing. I must say, though, that I do feel as though I would have liked them to let loose a little bit more throughout; the album excels so well at creating a layer of tension, yet it never really manages to break that, just leaves you in constant paranoia without ever relaxing you or assaulting you. In a way, that is a payoff of its own, but even on the last track, ‘Good Morning, Captain ’, which is famous for its “I Miss You” climax, I can’t help but feel like it cuts off a bit short and leaves something to be desired. Regardless, Spiderland is still a masterclass, and I would argue it deserves its legendary reputation, although I won’t always be in the mood for a listen. Getting this album as autumn begins is really quite optimal, and if I ever do find myself in the mood for Spiderland, it’s not like there is anything else like it I can turn to. Best Songs: Breadcrumb Trail, Washer, Good Morning, Captain Worst Song: For Dinner… Score out of 10: 8.5

It’s a 5! I realize that’s not true for most. Particularly if this project is the first time they have ever encountered this album. But this, for me, is long loved, and my appreciation grows with every listen- from the eerie melodies and sparse minimalist guitar work to the amazing drumming of Brit Walford that is so perfectly attuned to the other musicians in terms of expression and feel- like a jazz drummer, except in this odd, sparing atmospheric rock. I LOVE IT! I love the journey it takes the listener on. Every time I put it on, I feel like I’m buckling up for a ride to the underworld and a quick visit with Hades. The unity of effect it accomplishes IS my definition of a 5 album. 5 Boolean: True

Yeah, a basically perfect fulfilment of their aspirations for the record, which manages to be completely of its time but also super-influential on a lot of what's happening now, 35 years later. If those aspirations aren't for you, fair enough, but it's a sure-fire five for me.

That was crazy, but somehow awesome. Really jived with it by the end. Precursor to alt-rock of the 90s. Very interesting.

Very Nirvana at times low then high, wouldn’t listen again.

2,0/5

Should've taken the master recordings into the lake with them. 2.0/5.0

music is interesting in the few and far between moments they actually play it but so much time is spent on sparse atmospheric sections with very little happening. its reminiscent of waiting for the band to come back on stage for the planned encore, it just feels unnecessary.

def just not my kind of album, it gets hard to keep it on track cause on how repetitive it becomes that being said, it has some pink floyd vibes and some cool guitar riffs tough :p

Thank you, no. This is not for me. I can handle bleak and dirge-like. Repetitive I cannot. And every song here is the same slow noodling.

Influential icon or inflated retcon? Seems like a clear case of highbrow groupthink to me.

Nope

Not bad? I think needs a relisten.

"Oh this album is only 6 songs, it must be fairly short." Ahaha...no. Another one that refuses to stick to my 3 minute maximum song rule. That said, if we do end up going to karaoke after my work's christmas lunch, I will be opting for one of these "talky" songs.

This album has a menacing vibe, but it’s not bad. I can’t decide if I love it or hate it, but it’s certainly compelling in a strange way.

Shite

Sort of chilled out experimental type rock that I have never heard. It's not bad and honestly I was expecting it to suck but I was surprised. The music is pretty good and the vocal delivery is kind of unique. Would probably be better to listen to this at higher volume because there are a lot of quiet parts but I'm listening at work. I probably won't listen to this again but don't regret listening to it this time.

it's okay!

Kinda depressing

This was a challenging one. I hated it at first, but something started to click towards the end, enough for me to want to give it a second listen. But I'm still not sure what to think of it. It builds an increasing sense of dread throughout that was weird and occasionally off-putting. But it was interesting. I think with more reflection, this could ultimately be a 4 star. But for the time, it's a conflicted 3 star.

Noise

Good album noce surprise but nothing really out of the ordinary

A little too slow and meandering. Never really goes anywhere until the very end. There are some good sections of music, but overall it's just an okay album. 2.5/5 Probably won't listen again

I liked this more than I expected. It felt like a dark 90s version of some band's I listened to in high school. I dug the vibe, lyrics and delivery. I'd definitely listen to this again.

Kind of a mellow alt rock album, with some interesting dissonant sounds, and where the vocals are often talking-not-singing. The first part was OK, but then track 5 "For Dinner..." was just so slow.

I wanted to like this more than I did, but in the end too many songs just felt like they followed the same low, mumbly structure. Sort of a low 3.

Really enjoyed this. Like if King Missile was more punk, or the Pixies only did darker music (none of that 'Here Comes Your Man' stuff.) A nice surprise.

Post rock masterpiece

Kinda boring, I tuned out. 2.

Personal enjoyment: 2/5 Relevance to this list: 4/5

Yes yes yes yes! More of this please! A band I’ve never heard of, that’s shockingly heavy, but most importantly wildly original. It’s crazy to me that a band can be this good and then just completely disappear (for the most part) after one under appreciated album. Everytime for the foreseeable future, when someone asks me “have you discovered anything new recently?” Or “hey are you still doing that album list? Heard anything that stands out recently?” I will answer “Slint”. This band is so cool! I’ve never heard anything that truly sounds like this. They are so unique sonically, and that’s a real rare accomplishment. It’s short, which I always like, and it packs a lot into that short runtime. It does have a few songs that felt like filler that I didn’t save. But I LOVED the songs “breadcrumb trail” “nosferatu men” “washer” and “good morning, captain”. They have this amazing ability to have the softness of an indie rock band but then they mix it with real heavy guitar riffs. Seriously this is such a slept on band, I had no idea they existed but this album DEFINITELY belongs on this list. Totally gunna go try and find a copy of this album now.

Gear: ZMF Bokeh Closed Artwork: 🤽🤽‍♂️🤽‍♀️ Production ("remastered"): 🥩💩💘 Music: 🌦️🧛♾️ Rating: 🕷️🕷️🕷️🕷️🕷️/5

ohhhh, this one fucks? ok! it's nice to finally have something good to listen to after this recent run of mids. i fuck with the sound of this a lot, its checking many boxes for me with this dark, atmospheric sound, experimentation with time signatures and wildly varying vocal styles. it's pretty fuckin solid and a huge surprise to find out that its a 1991 release when it sounds so much like the few post-hardcore acts i'm familiar with, which came well over a decade later. guess this is where they got it from. it's not the kind of album where i can pick out favourites cos it's all about even in quality, and when the music is this like, textural? i'm honestly just here for the ride more than picking out a specific destination, yknow? and i'm not into it quite enough for the 5 stars yet i think it could get there with enough listens, or just one particularly well timed one. for now.... its a 4

Pretty good. Interesting and original.

Spoken word immediately loses marks for me. Just sing your songs