Spiderland

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

I adore the guitar on this album I have a real soft spot for fuzzy distorted guitar tones. However, I am not as big a fan of spoken word vocals. This does sound like one of those pretentious music nerd bands. Breadcrumb Trail and Nosferatu Man sound pretty good. Album starts strong and peters out near the end.

Fantastic, dynamic production with insanely good guitar and bass tones. Wasn't quite as aggressive as I was expecting since it would sound like a great noise rock record with this production.

For dinner

Played once, it’s got nothing to offer me. I even forgot it was playing, it just faded into the background

This wasn't bad, but a little boring at times. Favourite Track(s): Good Morning, Captain Least Favourite Track(s): Nosferatu Man

Spiderland sounds like a fucking walk in the park compared to listening to this heaping pile of garbage.

Good ol' Slint. Rackety but also not trying to occupy your whole attention. They just want to do their oddball grindy rock with whispered narratives around you if you're around for it. They feel like the last "college rock" band in a lot of ways, as alternative darlings like Pixies and Nirvana were all heading for the big time whether they wanted it or not, and all the other ones wanted it. Not Slint.

Slint take a page from the guitar harmonics of Television and blend it with an early 90s indie-rock sense of quiet-loud melancholia, whispery speak-sing vocals and weird math rock rhythms. It's odd and it totally works.

I wasn't in the cult of this LP when it came out, but it's grown on me. The ur-version of indie quiet loud math rock?

nice

There was a pretty good little streak of good listens. This broke it. Weird record. Kind like a nirvana before nirvana. And I think nirvana is overrated.

Pretty good. Nothing amazing for me tho.

A new band for me and I really enjoyed this. Definitely my kind of thing. And a must listen for sure if you like math rock, which I do!

Didn't love this- it was a odd mix of post-grunge with garage rock but speak-singing? Not bad, just not for me.

has grown on me a lot over the years. i still dont think its allat but its pretty cool.

What a great album. How did I mis this!

meio qualquer coisa i guess

assimilei esse mais do que achei que conseguiria e ainda curti umas duas

Absolutely essential album, presaging math rock surge a few years after. Songs are complex, almost Byzantine, mixing beats/structure and guitar noise in a fascinating way.

This was a very pleasant suprise. I'd never heard of it and it was right up my alley.

Al principio me copaba, era un disco que me compraría. Después se puso un poco más oscuro y no me copo tanto. Pero de fondo va piola. 6/10

Never heard this before but it was incredible! Hard to understand how this fits into the scene in 1991, but music to my ears.

Interesting sound. Too bad it's way too short.

An obvious inclusion on my own personal list of must-listen albums, a total anomaly of a record, no real precedents, interesting in terms of influence, with different genres and niches sprouting up behind but all taking a different angle. That said, I didn't think I would come away from today's relistening giving it 5 stars. "It's pretty uneven. Mostly "good morning, captain" as a standout and the rest of it is pretty good but not great." I thought before listening. Nope. I was clearly due to revisit my opinions. Contrary to the prior thoughts in my head, all six tracks are great, interesting, different one to the next. Full of surprises. The sounds are fresh and inventive, mixing slightly twangy off-kilter outsider folk riffs, with sharp dental-drill guitar leads, with crunchy, pummeling hardcore chords. "Just some guy muttering in the corner" vocals, shifting to hardcore bellowing and screaming, that can get emotive too. I just love the sound of this album. Such a great dynamic recording (take "don, aman" as an example). It's almost inexplicable what's going on here. Feels like a movie soundtrack sometimes, with someone narrating the film? Definitely a storytelling feel even without the vocals. See also, Mogwai, Phil Elverum, Squirrel Bait.

A band that had put out an album that went nowhere, changed labels and recorded this second one, but broke up before it was released and also went nowhere. It is pretty much unlike anything you've heard before. All off kilter guitars and strange rhythms; sudden changes in volume and tempo; whispered vocals that turn into screaming. (Actual singing is not the default setting) The band members were barely out of their teens when they recorded it and it's full of youthful angst and uncertainty. It's strange, it's unsettling and, i suspect is vastly influential. If you've never heard anything like it before, you've heard a lot like it in the years since. Not sure I liked it, or enjoyed it, but I respected it.

Breadcrumb Trail 3.4 Nosferatu Man 3.2 Don, Aman 2.8 Washer 3 For Dinner… 3 Good Morning, Captain 3.2 Score: 3.1

Interesting dissonant sounds. Calm, a bit too depressive. Good! 3,4

An incredible statement by a bunch of kids from Kentucky Spiderland is an eerie, haunting, beautiful, abrasive, fever dream. A noise rock masterpiece, a post-rock masterpiece. This absolutely belongs here. There is nothing else quite like Spiderland.

Feels like the granddaddy of Midwest Emo so we have to stan

Very good album. The more I listen to it, the more I like it. The guitar work is really interesting. This is definitely between 4 and 5 stars for me. It contains only 6 songs, and I think all of them are good. In particular, I enjoyed: "Breadcrumb Trail"(probably my favourite), "Washer", or "Good Morning, Captain". So, as mentioned, this is 4,5 stars for me. For now, I will keep it at 4 stars...but it may grow on me.

Amazing instrumentation - mid vocals

Fed nok

Et af historiens mest grumsede albums (positivt)

Bleak AF

I usually try to give albums I’ve never listened to before two listens before a review. There have been a couple albums I found completely off-putting and hard to listen to and stopped after one listen. I thought this was going to be one of those albums after the first track. However, the musicianship and production was strong, and the screaming and yelling that I found so grating slowed a bit. So I listened twice. Still not my thing. I’d never heard of Slint and probably won’t go out of my way to listen again. But I’ll give it 2 stars for the guitar, bass, and drum sound

This is a strange little album, I think I am gonna have to rate it neutrally as I am not sure if I am enjoying it or not. I like the moodiness and the atmosphere, the music is good but the voice, sometimes it’s good then there is just talking sections, that’s a bit all over the place.I am just not sure how I feel about it! Will definitely revisit to reassess.

For the bummer boys crying in the club

Really cool sound, very bad way to start a morning lol

hmm difficult to describe. first time through I thought it was awful, second time through I'm realizing there are some redeeming things, although melody is not one of them

80

Not an un enjoyable listen but it was a bit samey

Boring.

This didn't seem overly special. Maybe I'm missing something.

Nope! Didn’t like this one!

I've tried this a few times over the years and i'm pleased to announce that it finally clicked for me this time. I get it now. 4.5/5

Les parties parlées m’ont donné des vibe des Doors sinon c’était du bon vieux rock indie

Uh, I guess I get why this is influential. Definitely different.

The opening guitar (?) lines are immediately intriguing. The vocal is understated, intentionally quieter than the instruments, and reminds me of a band from the punk era that's not coming to mind. About a minute in, it goes heavy, almost grunge heavy, but still their own sound. The sound grabbed me from the get-go. Each of the six songs was great--mesmerizing, powerful, elements of punk, metal, or grunge while never falling into the trap of one of those categories. Great stuff.

Album 270. Spiderland (https://open.spotify.com/album/64v1yzdytF7Trfzswc0bRo?si=xw5LCQcSTpiWdXk9dK46yw) — Slint (1991) Something unique for my ears. It's such a mix of different rock subgenres and not just rock... It's definitely atmospheric, kinda chill and dark at the same time. It was good 3/5 Liked: — Nosferatu Man

Math rock eh? That's a new one on me. But bloody hell, that was hard work, it'll never catch on...

I like it and I don’t like it.

I don’t mind it. Can see the appeal. I can see how it was influential on lots of emo bands later.

I was unsure of this at the start but it grew on me. Very apocalyptic. The spoken voice you think doesn't work until you go further into the album but it does for me

Every track they tricked me into thinking there was some build-up to a heavy powerful moment. NOTHING. 1 star.

Fascinating album. Moody and do some weird things with their sound. Need another listen through one day but for now a 3

didnt do it for me, too weird

No, me pareció muy aburrido. No sonaba mal ni nada, pero no pude ni terminarlo.

I'm usually all for this particular era and genre, but it sounded weaker than I was anticipating.

Vibed with the first track…but it just continued the whole album & didn’t change. And boy, unless it’s an ironically funny whispery Frenchman I don’t want spoken word

There’s a part of me that thinks there should be more lesser known albums like this on the list but there’s also something to be said about the reason why they are lesser known.

This is a why this is a great project. Never heard of this band before. Played it for two days straight. Love the chill–Sonic Youth vibe. Makes perfect sense that a bonus track is a cover of Cortez the Killer.

Loud, quiet, loud. We get it - it was the 90s. Move it on.

Temu Fugazi

I don’t know. I actually don’t really know what to say because I feel like I just keep saying “forgettable” or words to that effect lately which doesn’t feel very thoughtful but it is kind of true unfortunately. I am not going to remember this, it’s not going to affect my life in any way. But I did like some of it, the spoken bits better than the sung. I’m getting tired.

I get what they were going for I just like other grunge stuff more.

didn't expect i was gonna enjoy it so much

Вполне адекватная музыка, хоть и странная. Обычно рок-группы вставляют по одной подобной песне себе на альбом. Эти же парни решили сделать альбом исключительно из таких особенных песен.

Yawn Low rent Nirvana

3.0000000000000000

Pretty good sound. Songs can be a little long. Mostly favorable.

It didn’t really impact me enough to have an opinion on it which says everything fr

3-

Hey Google..... Next!

If you're ever trying to explain what Drop D tuning is to someone, save your time and just have them listen to Spiderland instead. More than anything, it's the guitar work and interlocking techniques that made me really like this album.

I was very rudely accosted over the weekend for not having heard this album and after giving it a listen, I must admit that accosting may have been well-deserved. What do you do when you find an album at 30 y/o that you just know would've rewired your brain if you heard it at 20? You keep listening to it.

no notes

I've tried a couple times to get into these guys and I am not capable. I respect the refusal to make something listenable or melodic. If this was like a Pavement album with one weird spoken word piece I might be in. But can't do a full album.

Whispering spoken word over a louder musical background.

I only got through two songs, it was ok. Didn't make me want to continue listing.

Banger! High 4* 4/5

Weird

Lo-fi garage beat poet vibes; not exactly an album to sing or dance to

Musical equivalent of the kid that plays with their food, smearing it all over the highchair, much to everyone watching's disappointment

This album was strange. There are moments in a few of these songs such as Don, Aman and Washer (right at 2 minutes left) which deliver a great sound. But they are few and far between. More to the point, most tracks aren’t true songs in the traditional sense, and where they are playing it often becomes pretty repetitive. Add in the fact that the final track is 15 minutes of nothing, it just shows that they lacked cohesive direction on what to do. Which is a shame, because there’s something here. 2 stars.

Although their stint as a band was short lived, Slint were able to create one of the defining records of the 90s, with Spiderland setting a foundation for a future of mathrock and midwest emo. The first and last tracks are the standouts, perfectly bookending this dark, gloomy, angst filled album. To think of how young they were creating it is insane. I feel like as good as the album is, i wouldnt necessarily have it on rotation a lot, but in moderation it is a great vibey album when you want to feel like Travis Bickle or something. 4.5

Come on, it's Spiderland. 80% of my favourite music wouldn't sound like it does without this album. The influences you hear today are crazy.

such a secretly influencial album, all round fantastic. moody moving lyrics and such a great and atmospheric sound

This is what I came for. Here is interesting stuff I had never heard before or never even heard of before. Reminds me a little bit of the Violent Femmes. Unpretentious male teen age angst

Slint’s Spiderland is a remarkably solid album that masterfully rides a rollercoaster of tension and atmosphere, even if a few details hold it back from absolute perfection. The journey kicks off with "Breadcrumb Trail," which frames a gritty, turbulent center with wonderfully melodious bookends, before diving into the creepy, Metallica-esque vibes of "Nosferatu Man"—a track that ultimately feels a bit mid. While "Don, Aman" offers a nice, quiet reprieve, the album reaches its undisputed, breathtaking peak with the gorgeous and haunting "Washer." This brilliant momentum stumbles slightly on "For Dinner...," which spends most of its runtime building up an anticipation that never quite lands a satisfying payoff, but the record recovers beautifully with "Good Morning, Captain" serving as a great, powerful closer. Ultimately, while the recessed vocal style and that single mediocre track keep it from a flawless score, Spiderland easily earns a strong 4/5 for its incredible, atmospheric highs.

This is incredible. No idea what they were going for, but they fucking nailed it. It all builds so well together that the absolute explosion during the final minute of Good Morning, Captain feels so earned. I listened to this once several years ago and completely forgot about it. The second time through it really clicked in the back half and the ending blew my mind. The third time through I realized the whole thing is perfect.

Interesting album - had never even heard of it before. I’m not a huge fan of the talking vocal - but the instrumental parts were really interesting. Not sure I’ll listen to it again, but was intriguing

Album que no pude disfrutar en lo mas mínimo. Al principio sentí que no pasaba nada y era todo repetitivo, después de la nada empezó a pasar mucho (demasiado ya) y así continuó yendo de un extremo a otro. "Washer" es su unica canción disfrutable y asi todo te hace esperar 7 minutos para su apogeo.

Something magical about an album that is so deeply discordant and yet every song enraptures me with how beautiful it is. It’s clear that every moment of dissonance and odd vocal inflection is intentional if not directly planned. There’s the tired old phrase that “art should comfort the disturb and disturb the comforted” which I think is a little silly but if there was ever an album to make that a reality it’s this. I remember nearly instance I’ve thought about the album for an extended period of time let alone listened to it. Love it

interesting

really interesting but im not sure if id listen to this again

This was a really fun listen. It feels a little like reading between the lines, like not wanting to be heard is part of the message. It could also be the soundtrack to a non-existent thriller, something where the protagonist has to make some introspective difficult sacrifices. Maybe constantly. Musically, I really appreciate the course the album takes. I thought it was gonna steer into generic post-rock the introduction in, but as you continue it does something unsettling and beautiful to its own energy. I'm not the biggest post-rock fan, but if more of it were executed like this I could've been someone else. 3.5/5

This band have totally passed me by, I’ve literally never heard of them despite listening to a lot of grunge, shoegaze and rock. They appear to be a combination of those three with added prog tendencies (excessively long songs). Interesting to hear but didn’t really blow me away. Reading about the album was more interesting than playing it - not least because it bombed at release, then slowly became a cult classic after they had disbanded.

ok nije me toliko tangirao

Post-rock and post-hardcore built from angular guitars, sparse rhythms, whispered vocals, and explosive dynamic shifts feels like walking through an abandoned house where every creaking floorboard convinces you something is about to happen—only for the silence itself to become the main event. Tense, distinctive, and undeniably atmospheric without keeping my attention for long.

Have always felt like I should like this album, but it's never really clicked. Don't dislike it, just don't particularly love it. Maybe it will grow on me.

그냥 평범한 느낌이었다.

Defines a pretty big chunk of my 20s. Seemed like everyone in the 90s was trying to form a band influenced by this record. Not one I ever feel the need to revisit these days so it was nice to be forced into it. So many tritones. I love the way you expect Don, Aman to explode and it never does. Washer is still very much the centre piece. There's a perfect mix of dread and looseness that I don't feel anyone else captured. Too many post rock groups were too focused on the form and not the feel. Other 90s contemporaries/followers like Radiohead are way too bombastic and melodramatic for my taste.

I literally can’t remember anything memorable about this album and I just listened to it.

This was ok, not great. I won’t be returning to this one anytime soon

Nice indie rock rather lo-fi sound, very much up my alley. A bit ahead of its time in 1991? Favorites were For Dinner… and Washer. Last “song” a bit of a non sequitur but interesting nonetheless.

Not really for me.

This grew on me, had to play it twice, something very different going on here, had to look the band up, never heard of them, some really cool tracks on here.

not as good as Joni Mitchell’s Blue

This is a classic post-hardcore, noise-rock, math rock album that still stands the test of time. There are definitely parts that feel a bit dated, but that's just because they inspired so many bands that continued to evolve the sound or just replicate in different ways.

It's a strange album, but I kind of like it. It's dark and moody, but it all works together to paint an interesting picture. I'm not the biggest fan of the spoken-word delivery on most of the tracks, but the shouty bits are rather satisfying. Favorite track: "Nosferatu Man," probably

Correcto

Different song structures cool, NIN

I didn't know there could be a more stream-of-consciousness artist than Bob Dylan, but in comes Slint. I actually liked the album; it's very mellow and chill. The lyrics aren't deep or anything, and it really feels like they just started a whole jam session by talking about random stuff and goofing off on their instruments. But it works. Kind of reminds me of Morphine.

How on earth did this make the list? This was painful to listen to, virtually no enjoyment here.

Every couple of years, I play this album and strain to hear the genius everyone assures me is here. It's fine? Some of it quite good. But overall, even if it is some sort of indie Rosetta Stone, I prefer every single band that name checks Slint to Slint themselves

Realmente no me gustó tanto.

1.5

Good album. Not my fav but it pioneered a genre that i adore so I can't deny that.

American miserablism. Rather enjoyable. A little Nick Cave-esque.

I believe Slint disappeared up their own arses at some point back in 2014, ah well nevermind.....

Outstanding, foundational to so much modern post punk, the whole Brixton Windmill thing directly owes its existence to Spiderland. The drums are so raw, the riffs so angular and biting. Really does sound like swimming in a Quarry in a flyover state

Loved this album. Sort of like a dark emo vibe. Reminds me of the band widowdusk or train breaks down

This is great. It’s a shame that they didn’t get the succes that would have been justified, but as I understand it, they now have a cult following. Eerie grunge?

Wah ça s'auto suce ici

Je capte le commentaire d’Aurelia… c’est un peu un style math progressif avec une ambiance chelou qui plane avec 3 accords à la minute. Ça doit être chiant en concert 😂

Moi j'ai plutôt bien aimé? Pas compris le commentaire d'aurélia

I can see how this album might not appeal to some people, but I just think its a masterpiece. Its so fucking dark, but has this ethereal undertone. Maybe its because I was listening to it during a time of great change in my life, but its makes the cut as a 5-star album in my humble opinion.

Emo dinner party music....I am not sure I really fit in here and everyone is just sad and just pushing their food around their plates

Day 896. She was running out of things to say about mediocre albums that are good enough for a 3…but here goes: I guess this was fine. It piqued my interest enough to not be a 2.

Ok wow. I haven’t come across this once but it sounds almost as though it was made for me. Moody, dark, scuzzy. Loved it.

Kind of... uninteresting? I dunno, didn't do a whole lot for me.

An exercise in restraint. I half-expected them to apologize.. It's all quiet tension and release, no grandstanding. Spins: 1 Playlist Additions - Breadcrumb Trail - Washer - Good Morning, Captain

75

It was a cool album, however I didn’t enjoy the lyrical content in it :/. This is a shame because I enjoy the genre, emo/math rock/ indie rock. No songs listed as my favourite. Rating: 2.5/5 GEMV (18.06.2026)

What listeners who are new to this record should understand is that it's the root of so many subgenres of alternative music: Math Rock,Post Rock, and Midwest Emo. My heart hurts to see this has below a 3 on this list. But, it makes sense because it is a challenging listen. It purposely plays with dissonance, angular melodies, and strange time signatures. So if you enjoy Don Caballero, Tortoise, or Mineral, you'll have to consider Slint's role in defining all of their sounds.

that's a no

Very interesting album. I can see why people are so divided over it. I didn’t like it at first, but it has grown on me.

Upon first listen, I wasn’t keen. The music for me is great, very much something I’d casually listen to. However, the talking throughout songs is something that i’m not a fan of. Last 2 songs on the album are the best on there

The perfect post-hardcore record. Tension, release, texture. I can't even describe how brilliant this album has always been to me. Top 10 maybe.

I enjoyed this one by the end but it took a while to get into it. I could see it growing on me with a few more listens and potentially going up another star. Top Track - Good Morning, Captain

"lets play bad on purpose!" - The Album. Really WHY is this an entry?

Hey list what the fuck is this?

dull, dull, dull

How beige

Oh yes yes yes! I love this album. This is a desert island, top 20/ 50 for me. I have loved this album for a very long time. And the love just gets deeper with the passing years. That strange yet Innocuous photo on the album cover brings me instant joy. I have been considering why I love this album the way I do. First, it came to me the way much music in the late nineties did, by way of bootleg passed hand to hand. Something weird and under the radar like this was instantly a treasure. Even then it had a cult mystique, the band was disbanded, they had never toured, this was a one-off. But then the album itself. With its stripped down production each instrument really has room and space to be heard, bass, guitar, drums in the quiet moments. The haunting repeated guitar lines are more themes than melodies and the whispered lyrics with the stories they tell are so odd and evocative, that it creates a powerful atmosphere into which the rocking, yelled, punk moments explode. The whole effect always makes me feel I am on a journey, perhaps with Orpheus to the underworld. I am sure others don’t agree, but this is certainly an album I am grateful I was introduced to. 5 Boolean:TRUE

I liked the pink parts of this, but not the math rock parts. Just too long and too boring Favorite Song: Breadcrumb Trail

Surprised myself by not totally hating this

Tbis wasnt so bad

30 seconds in the first track, this album sucks.

This was long and boring and felt like it would never end.

I'm trying to put my finger on this one. I love the sound and style, but the vibe is pretty heavy and depressing. It's taken me almost a week to write up this review since the album popped up and I've maybe played it a dozen or so times! It's solid, a little sludgy, angsty and everything I love in this genre, but damn do I feel a little depressed after each listen.

a friend introduced this album to me a few years back and the outro of good morning captain has been haunting me ever since... creepy and fucked up with perfect replayability i love it

There was a time from the late 80's until when grunge became huge where the college alternative stations played bands that all sounded and felt like this. Songs that were kinda spoken, like poetry, set to music that almost fit the lyrics. Just like this album. It made for interesting listening. So I found this album boring and annoying. It's not bad per se, it's a victim of it's time period and the guy was going though some shit. I'm supposed to like it more as the band was popular south of us. I don't get it.

Grows on me with every listen. Admittedly, this is not easy to listen to, and not a band you would revisit on the daily. But it sure is unique and interesting, and for as avant-garde as it gets, it's still damn cool. The lyrics in particular are so striking -- haunting, disconcerting, endlessly fascinating spoken-word poetry. The mystique of the band also helps out here. If I was a cooler guy, I'd probably give it a 5. But alas.

very cool long songs but great vibe honestly i really like it, just wish it was broken into smaller chunks/with transitions, but i guess that wouldn't make sense. just not made for streaming. lovely album

Follow the Breadcrumb Trail and give this a listen.

so unmemorable that I only remember that I didn't enjoy it

Garage band high school art project. I hear it was influential. As a stand alone work just not very listenable.

This feels a bit like hanging out in a friend's basement in high school. It's the early 90s... and you're pretty sure this is the coolest place you can be right now. And, luckily, without cell phones and social media, you aren't comparing your experience with others.

When asked what the biggest change was after signing to a major label in the mid 90s - David Yow - lead singer of arguably the greatest rock and roll of the 90s (at least the early 90s) The Jesus Lizard - replied - now that we can afford to run the A/C and roll the windows up while we are touring we can listen to Slint in between tour stops. Cause this album is really about the little things. And the quiet. Or more accurately the silence - the actual silence and the implied silence - ie - the silence and isolation in which the inhabitants of these songs find themselves immersed...they are sorry and they miss you.

Enjoyed it, but in a way I’m not proud of.

The grunge in the beginning can get quite annoying. The later instrumental part was nicer

I guess some post-rock and math-rock groups have a bit to owe to this group. Doesn't necessarily make it that enjoyable, however. The overall moodiness and spoken word vocals for most of the tracks aren't exactly inviting. There isn't much of a payoff for a lot of these meandering tracks too, which sullies the listening experience a bit. I guess there is a crowd for this and while I do see the merit of the artistic choices that were made here (dynamic shifts, strange time signatures, overall noisiness, etc.) it simply isn't really for me.

Kinda funky. Didn't hate it but it's weird

Solid math rock

It’s a good thing I don’t have any heroin on hand, otherwise I’d have started using around the third song.

First time listening to this band. First time hearing of this band. Enjoyed experiencing it. Going to check out their other stuff.

Last song is really good.

Love it. Will listen again

Was annoyed at first, but Iwas a little impatient with the songs. Probably all give it a second chance in the future.

Himmel, was ist das für ein beschissenes Album. Weg damit

Viel Krach und Lärm, nicht mein Fall, hab aber schon Schlimmeres gehört. Teilweise Nirvana für Arme.

Ich versteh kein Wort. You have to speak louder son

Great experimental album. 4/5

Fantastic album

The climax of ‘Good Morning, Captain’ comes from somewhere the intellect can’t reach. One of the high points of music.

Mellower Nirvana

Its really really bad

I love this album. The cool guitar sounds, the dissonance, the spoken word mixed with some singing. The hypnotizing loops of the song structures. Good Morning, Captain is amazing, the build up to end it in that scream sends shivers every time.

One of my all time favourites. Harrowing

The songs sounds promising in their weird structures and build ups. But ultimately it doesnt deliver on what I would expect. Not very bad, but just not for me. Maybe there is something deeper to be found on repeat listens, but I probably will never do that.

Much better than their first album (which is odd as they had Steve Albini produce the first one). Shoegaze at its best.

Cult following normally means great but undiscovered… not in this case Interesting shoe gaze adjacent like a 90s version of the velvet underground and about as good.

So maudlin

I don't think the world was ready for Spiderland.

I like what they were trying to do but felt like I need to saint my ears to hear it

Such a great album, without which we may have missed out on so much good music directly inspired by it. Every time I listen I want to throw out every song I've written and try again. Should be a 5 then, right? Despite all I said, because of the loud/quiet dynamics and long whispered sections, it's not the most listenable album. A perfect work of art, yes; a perfect album, no.

Noiseniks, ok but not scintillating.

This album's atmosphere is unmatched. It's so cool, and unlike anything I've ever heard before. A really cool album, but idk Would give 3.5 stars, but I won't give 4 because that messes with my system. Genuinely a really cool album, and such a unique experience. Really interesting, and I recommend everyone give it a chance.

This is a great album. Every track ebbs and flows with changes in tempo and time signature keeping everything moving. So much to sink your teeth into. I like the climax of Washer and how the guitar just rips through everything else. Favorite songs were Breadcrumb Trail, Nosferatu Man, Washer, and Good Morning, Captain.

Might be The best album ever Made

It's interesting and a completely new musical experience. They formula seems to be: - cool riff - poetry slam - bit of jamming - noise I like it and hate it at the same time. Odd.

I know of it by reputation, never listened until now. Feels like some 90s alt rock. The odd rhythms and vocals set it apart, but they feel detached and don’t really add anything for me.

This is the kind of music I like, but nothing especially grabbed me. I've seen this album cover on so many "best of" lists; I expected more from it.

Solid

Súper experimental, siento que tiene mucha complejidad y no he llegado al trasfondo aún, me invita a escucharles más Muy intrépido de parte de ellos elaborar algo así en la época de los 90s pero se asemeja a ciertas interpretaciones de la escena actual Lo veo como un álbum infravalorado que tiene mucho que dar 3.6

Unfortunately I fuck with this midwestern classic. The guitar tones are probably the most appealing part to me. “Breadcrumb Trail” always sounds like a deconstructed Hum track to me, which is to say I have a soft spot for its sound. The mumbly, descriptive spoken word lyrics that jump into singy-screamy stanzas. It’s a peculiar musical phenomena that worked so well. This albums reputation precedes itself, and it lives up to that spooky scary reputation the further you get into the tracklisting. Maybe the one exception is “Washer”, which returns to a more melodic composition. Everything else gets screechier, the stories get more whispery in tone. Is this my favorite type of thing to casually listen to? No not at all. As mentioned before, I like my midwestern-emo-leaning stuff to come from Hum. But I hear the many aspects which make Spiderland a cult classic. Respectable strong 3/5, could be higher if I was a bit less concerned with how this sounds compared to my casual listening preferences. A bit odd to give such a divisive album a middling score but it’s all I got

4.5/5 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/slint/spiderland/ Always a difficult album to truly engage with, but when it hits you, it hits you good. Blueprint for lot of stuff I like (e.g., 'worlds second best Slint tribute band' BCNR in their early days), so yea, I fuck with it.

Cool 90’s album but started to blend together in the end to new.

We here at dick.hole.fire love the "big-swing-flop-only-to-be-reassessed-a-masterpiece-after-the band-is-no-more" storyline. Sometimes its sad, like when an artist pours out their entire soul onto vinyl and is driven mad after that soul is rejected by a glib and hurtful world. Sometimes it's joyful, like this one, where the band seems to truly not give a fuck about the reception, they just want to do whatever they want in life simply because doin' whatever you want is awesome. I think this album will take some time and digestion to fully rate, but today it receives an early glimpse of the sunshine of my favour.

Was an interesting couple of listens. I still don’t really know what to think of it. My general impression is that they made this record for themselves and intended to please no one. I respect that.

Rate so much I have the vinyl

I love the way this album starts. I suspect it helps to be in the right mood to hear it. Dark, moody, intense. I think I'll be coming back to it in the future.

Love the guitars on this. I'll say that I don't totally loooove the vocals, like a lot of the talk or almost whispered vocals don't really do a whole lot for me. But I like the screaming! The music is what really carries this album for me.

This list is pathologically afraid of emo music so this was a WELCOME surprise. Still, it feels like if you can acknowledge this is good (which it is) it’s not that far of a jump to, say, American Football or Brand New or MCR or even Bright Eyes. That being said I’ll take what I can get easy 5 stars Midwest emo 4ever 🫶

Ekki það ferlegasta í heimi, og líklega ein af þeim plötum sem batna með fleiri hlustunum, svo við segjum 1,7. Og hlustum ekki aftur, því það er ekki eins og ég hafi ekki eitthvað betra við tímann minn að gera.

Weird, but the good kind of weird.

Huh, I figured out that this was Post-Rock all by myself! I recognized the stylings. Certain tracks specifically work as Post-Rock Ambient, which I do like. Good all around, though I'd prefer the occasional awesome riffs to happen just a tad more regularly. The latter tracks are better than the earlier ones in the listing, but it's all really right up my alley. Enjoyable, loopable.

Well that was interesting. I'm certainly not surprised by what seems to be a W shaped rating curve, seems like an album you'd love, hate or not feel one way or the other about. I fall into the latter camp, however there is certainly something here- it definitely achieves the desired atmosphere, it has payoff for me which is something people here lament the lack of, and it probably is influential but I'll defer to everyone else on that. Other than that its weirdness in the time signatures and the tones used make it feel like walking on a tightrope between genius and trash much like most indie math rock bands you'll probably find at your local indie dive bar on a weekday. Despite the grade I feel I'll be mulling over the record more in the coming weeks because it did leave an impression on me.

Garage rock for art school grunge kids...and it's...*whispering...not good!

You know what? I’m just glad these guys got to have a nice day out swimming when they took the picture for the album cover. They looked like they were having a good time.

Some kids put a band together and recorded some shit in their garage. 2

Bastante curioso como pieza histórica, como álbum está guapo, ero tampoco me ha vuelto loco

Bleak, slow, and angry. The album sets a mood for being angsty in the suburbs.

Not so impressive

This was OK but that last song... ugh! Basically late 80's/early 90's alternative /indie.

Nah. If I were to die tomorrow I wouldn't want to spend today listening to this. Didn't finish.

The vocals were too soft: he wants to draw you in but it just feels like he's whispering so he doesn't wake anyone up. It was OK, but were there multiple songs or was it just one long one? Moody, but didn't engage enough to hold me.

Probably a 3 but boosting for nostalgia

8/10

No one NEEDS to hear this any time.

I thought this was pretty cool. It's a rock/punk style blended with a spoken-word vibe. I loved how the guitar came in on the last track right as he says "I miss you". Will have to check out more from them!

Raw emotion and power chugging at odd time. Nothing else quite sounds like it.

For the most part, I like post-rock. I like the way they do melodies. I can even enjoy when the vocals are mostly spoken word. The caveat there is the mixing needs to be done such that I can actually hear the spoken words. As it is, I wanted to like this so much more than I did. But I couldn't absorb the narrative because I couldn't hear it. I can see how this album was definitely ahead of its time though. And I did like the music.

Musically they're doing interesting post-rock stuff with a lot of irregular rhythms and arrangements but it is a bit of a difficult listen. Lots of the lyrics are spoken words. At times it sounds like a long Smashing Pumpkins instrumental.

Dissonant tidal guitar twangs and eerie anecdotal story telling make this a crepuscular masterpiece

'I said goodbye to the ground.' Better than I remember it being, but all that talking is a real drag & a panic that I can do w/o. Renowned for their weird, punishing time signatures, I don't care for those b/c I honestly don't really notice them: if they upset musical convention, good for them, or not, it's the same to me either way. What I hear most of all are McMahan's vocals, which are in the rare instance urgent & explosive, especially in the finality - 'I miss you / I miss you / Ah, I miss you / I miss you' - but are usually misery manifest in whispers & bad poetry. 'He decided to piss / But he couldn't.' I feel I relate to the fuckers in the gorge on the cover, I do, but I also want to tell them, 'hey guys, lighten up, get a sense of humor, or just a sense at all.'

This is an album I have seen many times on various lists and I am glad I finally got a chance to hear it. Super interesting and different than what was going on at the time. If not for the 15 minutes of a quarry at night this might have been a 5

Grungey alt rock with some punk DNA. Spoken word vocals hit first. Ooh, I like when singing actually starts. Moody and dissonant, reminds me of Pixies which I loved. Oh yes, that screechy guitar sound in Nosferatu Man. That chaos and tension is what I'm here for. Bit like later Korn, or SOAD. Just wish the vocals were more audible in the mix. Don, Aman is a bit slow and takes some of the momentum out of things. Nice weird Opeth style/semi folk arpeggios on Washer Big crescendo on final track - nice way to end a slow burner of an album. Best track - Breadcrumb Trail, Nosferatu Man, Washer, Good Morning Captain 4 stars - a new fun alt rock band for me! If it were all as good as the best tracks it would be a 5, but roughly a third is filler, rest is amazing

As someone who loves post hardcore I am really surprised I have never heard of this album before. I can clearly hear where they have come from, and where the genre has been taken, all while sounding like themselves. I get why this is divisive, it’s odd, kinda unsettling, and incredibly pretentious, but I absolutely love it!

Debating giving this an extra star because I do like "Good Morning, Captain", but honestly I didn't really like the rest of the album so I don't think I can give it more than a 2. Maybe it improves on re-listens.

It was angsty and artsy. It was post-rock before post-rock. It's not my cup of tea.

Yes. Loved it.

The first time I listened to this album, I remember thinking it was meh...and since I fell asleep, I listened to the whole album again. I'm still not impressed with it although I did think the songs went on too long...ugh! I liked part of "Washer" but again it just went on too long. This album did reaffirm my newest thought that what some would call music is not what others would call music. I can't imagine people buying tickets to see this album performed in concert, but apparently in 2005 there were three international tours. Who knew? I do know I wouldn't be one of the people at the concert.

Fernando Mendoza was a two star - but I wouldn’t draft Fernando Mendoza

this was cool, knowing they're from Louisville and they're just a group of friends making music. the album cover is super cute, if it's of them. I don't actually know. they have nothing on The Korean Americans tho.

A "getting harassed by the college radio at 10AM on a Saturday" type album.

this album makes me feel like spongebob when he gets stuck in Rock Bottom

normally i don't give a review if i don't listen to the whole album so i can go back to it later. this is a rare case where i couldn't listen to the whole thing and i do not want to come back to it

Tough listen. I would almost say aggressively unpleasant.

I immediately disliked the first song, then enjoyed the second song and thought I’d judged too quickly. And then every other song followed that one and I found out I was right to judge too quickly.

We have Sonic Youth at home.

Mumbling some story over shrieking, abrasive guitars is a terrible musical recipe

- some 35 years later and this record still sounds weird .... it's not really my taste but persisting to be so weird for so long after so much has happened in music has to count for something. -

album un po' noioso, buoni suoni ma vocalità totalmente assente, più parlato che cantato

Nothing stood out to me.

This is a much better take on emo than MCR. Moody in all the right ways. The spoken poetry instead of sung lyrics, this album scratched an itch that I didn't realize I had.

I love this

Mid

I like the music, but the accent on the vocal is fairly repellant.

Quite liked "Good Morning, Captain as had more life". Other than that, a generally higher standard of post-punk.

Thoroughly unenjoyable.

Torn on whether to give this 4 or 5. Washer and Good Morning, Captain are absolutely incredible songs and I can totally see myself gaining an even deeper appreciation for this album over time.

Day 261 Will need to give it a few more listens but I think I like it a lot. Highlights Washer Breadcrumb trail

I’m not sure if this was life changing for me, but this was a nice change after my last few albums this week (in that I actually enjoyed this one!) The songs felt kinda same-y but also there was a lot of variation in the tempo, the singer’s delivery, etc. I enjoy plenty of drone-y songs (as long as they’re not overlong), so the songs like that worked for me. I’m not sure if the songs were meant to, but some of them definitely provoked a sense of uneasiness and even dread at points. 3.5/5.

This sounds like a rough draft of a tool album. Like the guys from Tool had a free hour and decided to lay down some concepts for a future recording. Spoken ideas that would get fleshed out into real lyrics and vocals later. Simple, droning bass and guitar to try some chord changes, and placeholder burts of loud guitar. And no real drumming to speak of, just some time keeping. Probably would be an amazing album if they finished it.

I remember reading something about this album and how the band broke up before this album even came out. It's a shame because they have a pretty good sound for how young and inexperienced they were. Favorite track: Washer

"Post-Rock" - mmh, erst war ich etwas skeptisch. Ist mal was anderes.

I knew nothing of this band. I found the music somewhat mesmerizing at times, and would have enjoyed this more as an instrumental record. But I am not a fan of “talk singing “, or whatever it is called, and I liked their actual musical singing even less. I’ll give it two stars, and I don’t need to hear it again.

Sparse post-rock with spoken word narrative. I think I like the atmosphere on this one. Wish I could hear him better on some of the spoken word parts (not sure if that’s the mix or if it’s just my ears).

I didn't like the other "math rock" album on the list, so I was ready not to like this. However there were parts of this that were good. No so keen on the screaming but the spoken word lyrics seemed to work for me. I think I could see where the influences followed from here which I guess is why it's on the list. I was ready not to like it but it did enough. I saw another comment that said listened to it twice and still not sure if they liked it. I feel a bit the same way.