Reviews (page 3 of 8)
Surprisingly liked this!!
Ein neues Wort für Langeweile: Slint
Favorite Track: Breadcrumb Trail
*Very grunge and early 90s influenced *Lacked energy to get more than a 3
Verdaderamente muy malo, no se si al nivel de killing joke, pero ya que este siendo comparado con eso habla claramente de lo malo que es. 1/10
Spiderland is widely regarded as foundational to the 1990s post-rock and math rock movements, and is cited by critics as a milestone of indie and experimental rock, inspiring a myriad of subsequent artists. Pour ma part, j'étais bolette durant cette écoute, j'ai pas haï le mood, mais j'ai pas capoté non plus.
If Slint had caught me at 15, maybe. But today, no.
Surprisingly, I didn’t completely hate this. I liked the athmosphere they tried to create and the lyrics were interesting (when they were understandable). Not keen on the spoken word and the “vocals” in general.
Feels like I should have loved it better
Grungy. Kinda psychedelic. I dig it.
Jeez I really couldn’t be doing with this
I was not a fan of this album at all. There was really nothing pulling me in, and nothing at all keeping me interested. With the songs being this long, I would have hoped for a lot more, anything really. I wasn't a fan of the spoken-word intros, and I didn't enjoy the vocals when they started singing. It is hard for me to find anything interesting within any of these tracks, and I don't think I will be listening to any songs from this album again. I have no favourite tracks as I didn't enjoy any of them.
Fucking slaps
Liked: Breadcrumb Trail, Nosferatu Man, Washer
Having attempted to get into Spiderland a few times over the years, I remain confused by the album's cult classic status, even though the guitars sound very cool
tremendo album, es un estilo raro tiene cosas medio grunge como nirvana pero todo mas sucio y expetimental, y mas oscuro pero ifual me gusto, siento q nunca habia escuchado nada de este estilo
Fuckin sweet, what do you mean LAST album?
182/1001 That’s it. I’m done with this list. I quit. That was the final straw. This list is absolute garbage, to me anyway. I hate to be a quitter but also I should have done my research. Why should I care what some randos think I need to hear? Looking now at the complete list, I see so many amazing bands missing and others with only one album and yet Dexys midnight runners has 3?! Bowie with 9? I’m dodging a bullet missing out on that 3 hour album by magnetic fields at least. I rate today’s album just like 80% of my ratings, yet another 2 stars. Good luck to you all who persevere and may whatever God you believe in have mercy on your soul.
I can see the vision but I just don't think it's fully cooked. It wasn't bad but it isn't going into my rotation
Secind time ever listening to this. Enjoyed it more but still not really a fan of this album. The weird speaking/ whispering didn't really do it for me. 4/10
Oh look, there’s only six songs. They’re HOW long?!
90’s Alternative Rock ⭐️Washer
i didnt even realise its such a short album when i listened to it in the car. Its slow riffs are really something, and in that mountain road ambience even more so
I didn’t enjoy listening to this. Oddly paced. Long tracks. Not as bad as country music though.
It was super interesting reading about Slint, this album, and it's influence on math rock and post-rock. Glad I listened, but not sure I actually enjoyed listening?
Idk kind of noisy and just not pleasant at times. I liked a few of the riffs.
La verdad no lo entendí pero está bueno que se yo, lo pondría para tener algo de fondo
No thank you
Good Album
Completely original and unique, which makes it hard to classify but typically seen as critical in the development of post-rock and math-rock. Sparse, airy, restrained, unrushed, and thoughtful music, but that’s not to say it’s light or boring. Spiderland carries high emotions, musically and lyrically. Vocals range from talking to singing to screaming. All the pieces just fit perfectly into place, and the singularity of this vision created something amazing and impactful for a long time in underground music.
Not my kind of music.
What else can be said?
Some very original sounds. Makes one wonder where this band would have gone had they lasted longer.
Really sad to see how low the global rating is for this album. It’s one of the most unique and singular albums I know and laid the foundations for multiple genres including post rock and math rock.
This was alright, pretty doomy and screechy guitars that were ok, but I really dislike spoken-word. I'm going with a 3
Overall not for me. Some moments that were decent, but by and large not a fan at all. 2 stars
Another album i wish I had heard in my teens Very good, very experimental. Cool and good Good and cool
3,5
I like Washer and For Dinner… but that’s about it, and i don’t love them either, i will forget about them by the time the next album comes out. songs are too long for an album where less than half are worth listening to. if i had to rename this album it would be called “guy softly talks over mediocre guitar for 8 minutes”
Not bad- I *would* listen again but I probably won't go out of my way to. Vocals aren't particularly strong but that's fine
Saved? ❌ Would listen again? ❌ Would recommend to anyone? ❌ Would buy on Vinyl? ❌
I have a feeling that I might really like it someday, so I give this a 5, so I can come back to it.
Washer Fav- 2/5
I find it hard to rate this album. On one hand it's interesting and unlike most other things I've heard on this list. On the other hand, it's kind of boring.
Really enjoyed it. Nice ska-ish sound.
My friends in high school had a band that sounded like this but I’m positive none of them were aware of this band. Anyway, this made me weirdly nostalgic though I’ve never heard of them either.
I enjoyed this and I was intrigued by it. Moody with surprising vocals kept me interested and wanting to listen again
Nope.
I felt kinda bored during some parts but also excited and uplifted during other parts, for me that’s the perfect definition of a 3 star album.
I'll be honest, it wasn't my cup of tea, but I could certainly hear ideas that would inspire bands inside and outside the indie rock scene. I certainly a lot more whisper rock after this record than before it. Maybe that was a result of the music technology equipment advancing, and maybe it was because of influences like Spiderland. Either way, the lyrical structure, while difficult to discern without reading the lyrics seemed to tell a more complete concept album narrative than most concept albums do. Clearly the character, dissatisfied, depressed, and eventually dissociated leaps to their death in the Utica Quarry and remains there as a haunted spirit for the rest of time trapped in the very existence that the protagonist was trying to escape. I'm convinced that is why the band members are in the quarry on the album cover and why they tacked the 15 minute recording of the "Utica Quarry, Nighttime" live recording on to the end of the album in recent releases. A creepy risk that worked for the band.
I feel bad for those who find this album boring. I don't listen to it very often, but I do listen to multiple albums inspired by it regularly. When I do listen to it I find something new every time.
Incredible
I've heard this record once or twice before. And there's a reason why I've only heard it once or twice. It's not great. The thing that kills me about Spiderland is that I really want to like it. 90's alternative/indie rock is kind of my preferred genre. This falls into that camp, for sure. It has some of those Archers of Loaf-style noise rock elements that I adore. But it's mostly like listening to someone mumble spoken word poetry while a concert is going on in the foreground. It's not even mixed particularly well...Slint's Spiderland feels like an exercise in self-frustration for me. It seems like the guys from Slint are having fun, and I appreciate the effort with their creative approach to songwriting. But, I'm not sure how it wound up on this list (particularly in a project that somehow features no Archers of Loaf, at least as far as I'm aware). I don't hate the record, but I don't like it either, and I doubt that I'll ever circle back here. 5.5/10
Nice and pleasant but nothing and outstanding and quite forgettable
Probably a 4 in isolation, with a few tracks less hard hitting. Gets bumped to a 4.5 based on its impact for me.
Favourite Songs: Nosferatu Man Good Morning, Captain
I love the idea of kids unknowingly making one of the most influential records of the 90's and then walking away.
They sound like an opening band at a dive bar. Even though the album was only 30 minutes long it felt like every song was an hour long. Hard to believe they are so highly acclaimed.
when noone told some young earnest people that what they were doing wasnt deep and experimental, it was boring and shit, then they kept doing it so long other people started believing it too.
They sound dark and real. Kinda reminds me of Deftones (kinda). Don't know how this album is one of the GOATS but it sounded cool 😎
Quite boring alt grunge not my cuppa
I don't think I've ever even heard of this band before? Literally know nothing about them. Going into this I have zero expectations lol 1. Breadcrumb Trail - This was...interesting? It's odd. I don't hate it. Love the guitars. Not sure on the vocal delivery yet. I like the lyrics, how they've very metaphorical and kind of up in the air 2. Nosferatu Man - This was okay. It was interesting at least, but I liked the first song more. 3.Don, Aman - Okay, I liked this one a lot. Probably the best one so far. 4. Washer - I actually really like the vocals on this one. I loved the sound too. I liked this one a lot! 5. For Dinner... - Typically I'm not a big instrumental track person, but this one is fine. 6. Good Morning, Captain - This one was okay/fine. I had to pause it like halfway through to take care of something, might've hindered the enjoyment lol. Okay, so overall I kinda vibed with this. It has elements I enjoy in modern music, so it's interesting to see the roots of those genres. I don't think this is one I'll come back to crazy often, but every now and then this could be a vibe. The speaking vocal performances slightly remind me of the modern band Model/Actriz. Idk if anyone else thinks that tho
Pretentious. Just fucking sing already. This mumbly grumbly spoken word is so annoying. The music is good but so repetitive. It all blended together for me and it was just not pleasant.
I heard this first during the pandemic lock down. It entranced me with its dark, hypnotic rhythms. A truly astounding release. I was sad to learn I had missed my chance to see them in person. Sometimes I wish this was graded on a 10 star scale so I could differentiate a 10/10 vs the vagaries of a five star rating. This is a true 10/10 and must be experienced.
No notes. Love this band. Great Album.
# Album Name: Spiderland # Artist: Slint # Rating: 2/5 # Comments: Not for meeeeeeeeeee. Pretty boring i thought. Its got a bit of an underground edge. But nah. # Top Tunes: # Would I listen to it again? No
did not like :( 1991
I like that they were from Kentucky. Unfortunately I was 6 when this album came out and they had been broken up for at least 20 years before I finally heard about them as an adult. Not something I’m going to work into the regular rotation, but I dig it.
The first song started off with a bit of potential. It kind of reminded me of "La Dispute" that featured more talking than singing and at first it sounded like stream of consciousness but probably has some deep poetic meaning. I could see how multiple listens would unlock deeper meaning and I'd better understand what it was going for. But, I didn't like it enough to keep listening on repeat. I get what they were going for and I appreciate the artistic leap they took but it didn't really land with me personally. I particularly was confused by the 15 minute album closer that was nothing but the sounds of bugs chirping.
1.75 - There were some moments of this album that really worked for me, but a much larger portion that did not.
3.5 - Good
Really good. Very atmospheric and not hugely melodic so I can understand why this wasn't instantly successful. But it's not a hard listen and it's ready to hear how this was influential
This was rad. Felt like Fugazi, Suicidal Tendencies and Listener kind of all in the one. The clear, reverb toned guitars and bass make for great hardcore. The spoken word keeps it interesting. Feels like Henry Rollins post Black Flag. I liked this!
Acceptabel, maar er zijn betere dingen in het genre - 2,5
opzich wel nog creatief, ni echt iets waar ik elke dag naar zou luisteren tho 2.5
I suppose an argument can be made for including works that appear to be foundational or inspirational for musical movements that will follow on a list of albums we all must hear before we die, even when those albums are somber, dull self-indulgent pieces of cr@p like this one.
I really disliked this album 10 years ago. It sounded completely different today. I guess my tastes have changed. I liked it a lot
It is just so different and an archetype for a couple of genres. The closing track is one of the greatest. I think it deserves a five because it is truly an aberration.
Thoughts before listening: One of the most hyped indie rock albums of the 90s which should mean this is right in my wheelhouse. I never owned this album, but I have tried to listen a few times with Spotify...and it doesn't really do much for me. I don't know, maybe this will be the listen that changes my mind. Review: Okay so this is a post-rock album with lots of heavy textures, odd time signatures, abrupt shifts in melody, and a focus on music over vocals. In fact, most of the vocals are low in the mix and more spoken than sung. I can certainly see where this was likely a big influence on bands like the Deftones and probably even instrumental bands like Explosions in the Sky. This album can be a bit frustrating to be honest, with songs seemingly working toward a satisfying peak but then getting rip chorded before that happens. All in all, its fine. I wouldn't necessarily put it up with the indie rock albums its frequently sits next to in best album lists (i.e. Slanted and Enchanted), but I do appreciate that a lot of music I like was influenced by these guys. 3-stars
Never heard this at the time, but have picked it up in the last few years. It's very good. Weird, off kilter rhythms, spoken word, violent blasts of guitar. Twitchy and anxious. You can practically hear genres being created from it.
Chilling. Really unique and visceral. Complex layers of guitars weave perfectly with the rhythm section, the music effortlessly scaffolding the vocals - odd, intriguing, dramatic- to build a world that is familiar and mysterious at the same time. A genre defying masterpiece. Evokes Sabbath at their most serious, but also Pixies, Pink Floyd, Keith Levine era Public Image, Fugazi … “I miss you” is just chilling. No spoiler, it’s an experience. Listen through the album to “My Captain” then shut it down for the day.
I have thrown this album on in the car multiple times and did not pay it much attention, so nothing about it really stood out to me. Listening to it now with no distractions has allowed me to warm up to it a ton. It's a pretty haunting album especially when I'm able to actually pay attention to the lyrics. I'll definitely be back to it again soon.
"Sounds like doodoo" would be too much of a compliment. Thank god it's so short.
I really need to try this one again, because as it stands it did not work for me. I get the point of the songs is to build suspense, but the build to me felt monotonous and whispered lyrics did nothing for me. This helped by the fact that when the drops came they were incredibly underwhelming, just left me with nothing to chew on. But I fear I’ve missed the point of this record. I’m gonna listen again at some point with fresh ears, and maybe a little more patience
yuup klasika, 4.5
great train reading music
I have never heard of this band before, nor any of these songs. This was interesting. The whole time I'm listening to this I kept thinking that some of this sometimes reminds me of Modest Mouse and also Smashing Pumpkins. I looked it up - apparently there is no influence in either direction with either of these other bands. I hear some Dinosaur Jr in there too - and apparently they were influenced by Slint. I don't love the spoken word stuff as much but I do like the music on pretty much all of this. I ended up liking 3 out of the 6 songs - the last 3 songs on the album which are: "Washer", "For Dinner" (instrumental), and "Good Morning, Captain". Liked songs on Spotify: 3/6 Rating: 3/5
I didn't like much how ut starts but it ends up getting to you in a sense. A strange album with a sound and atmosphere like no other, even tho is not that much of my preferred style of music.
malardo
The first time I heard Breadcrumb Trial my mind exploded, I’ve never heard a song like that. I haven’t heard the rest of the album. I’m looking forward to this one. Breadcrumb Trail: 8.5/10 So good. So unique. Nosferatu Man: 7/10 Don, Aman: 7.5/10 Really cool. Washer: 6.5/10 For dinner…: 6/10 Good Morning, Captain: 6.5/10
6.5/10
Ugh Spiderland. I've tried to listen to this many times over the years and it has never left an impression. This time around I listened maybe 5 or 6 times in the past two days, and while I still think it's impact is overblown (it essentially seems to mix the subtlety of Talk Talk with the quiet/loud elements of grunge), I do have more appreciation for a few moments, including parts of Good Morning, Captain. 3.4/5 -> 3/5
Next to last album, glad it's a great one. A distinct sound that holds up even today. Something like Hum and for some reason reminds me of an "acoustic" Drive Like Jehu or an electric Tom Waits. Perfect addition to the list because I've never even heard of this, but I should have.
Overlooked alt rock
Dark and moody. Can see this very fitting for certain thriller or horror movies. But listening to as an album? Not sold. Much too dissonant and rough for my taste. Spoken word throughout the record also became too much for me. In addition, almost all songs sounded the same to me. Can see how this might appeal to some people, but not my cup of tea at all.
Never heard of these before. Not really a fan of 90s alt or grunge but I enjoyed this. It was discordant, abrasive and interesting. Even the spoken word couldn’t turn me off it completely. Felt slightly like doom metal but with less distortion. Strong 3.
Dark and heavy in all the right ways, felt the spoken word aspect of it fits really well with the style of music. Its a good combination of singing and spoken word.
a mesma sensação de dirigir de noite com um farol queimado numa estrada sinuosa cheia de buraco (escutava mto o spiderland na faculdade) 100% é isso, não parece com nada, os caras influenciaram muita gente que veio depois, e o que eles alcançaram nesse é absurdo inclusive obrigado 1001 por me lembrar de escutar esse mais pq realmente é tão absurdo quanto eu lembrava que era!! goat do goat
adoro o clima desse aqui. HORROROSO demais, sempre parece que alguma coisa horrível vai acontecer a qualquer segundo. como dito ontem, eh doideira como ele não parece com NADA, apesar de várias bandas se inspirarem neles. original demais, só pedrada. eh bão demais, não tem jeito. as guitarrinha, as gritaiada, tudo eh nota 10. das melhores bandas dos anos 90 facinho (e só com dois albuns nas costas). lembro de ouvir breadcrumb trail pela primeira vez e ficar EM CHOQUE como a dissonância era linda demais pqp
it's good, but not enough to hold anyone's attention. some moments of brilliant execution, like in track 2, buried in the middle of an ocean of boredom. felt a bit too bland to be considered more than nice background music. i still hold the idea: if you're gonna do an 8 minute track, you better bring the full banquet to the table. no emotional honesty that grabs you and definitely no lyrics that are brilliant. what saves it are the small moments where the guitar shines with the drums, but that's not enough to drag this out of the "meh" pile.
Started badly, thought it was meandering art rock nonsense. Then For Dinner... Happened and I changed entirely. Stand out song, rest fine.
This album is a prime example as to why I'm continuing with this project. A wonderfully unique collection of tracks, the last 3 in particular conjuring up some really dark emotions. The use of narrative throughout is cleverly done with some haunting lyrics. The guitars and drums sound fantastic. It is the kind of album that I feel could be bumped up to 5* after multiple listens. Favourites: Breadcrumb Trail Washer Good Morning, Captain
"A band so far ahead of their time, they're behind you." Spiderland has haunted me since I was a teen. And yet, I haven't listened to it straight through for well over 5 years... As I ask myself, Will it hold up?, there are a few things to remember: have patience (it's written for an attention span that may no longer exist), it's a quiet record until it's not (but it still demands to be played loud), everybody is young at least once (while some people are old twice-over), and it was hugely influential (so many bands owe a debt to this record, so post-rockisms you hear that sound part of a tried and true template today were set to tape here). It holds up. Spiderland taps some brooding emotional vein while holding that fragile line between restrained and explosive. I miss you.
I wanted to like this one :’(
No
I didn’t hate but also I didn’t exactly love it either
Love me some big-ass indie guitar overload, but I also like melodies and stuff, so while there is a lot of promise here, sorry I just don't hear a hit.
Nice
Too emo for me.
Shockingly fresh and intense
Meh
Strange music.
Muy bueno. Genera una atmósfera y un clima que te encierra. Distinto, original. Todas las canciones están muy bien, desde lo musical hasta lo lírico.
Kind of sounds like how you would sing something when you know you cant sing. Honestly couldn't find one song i liked enough to listen all the way through. Music wise it was ok. Its brooding and when there's no " singing " its alright.
Sounds like young Lou Reed trying to latch onto grunge.
Really good
Who? Apparently, just before the album was released, the band split up due to guitarist-vocalist Brian McMahan's depression - having listened to this depressing Post-Rock album, I can't say that I'm surprised.
Mit Spiderland (1991) legte die US-amerikanische Band Slint aus Louisville, Kentucky, ein Album vor, das später häufig als Bezugspunkt für Post-Rock und Math Rock genannt wurde. Aufgenommen wurde die Platte im River North Studio in Chicago unter der Leitung von Brian Paulson. Die reduzierte, spannungsgeladene Produktion setzt auf leise Passagen, kantige Gitarrenfiguren und gesprochene beziehungsweise zurückgenommene Vocals. Stücke wie „Breadcrumb Trail“, „Washer“ oder „Good Morning, Captain“ zeigen die charakteristische Dynamik zwischen Zurückhaltung und eruptiven Ausbrüchen. Die Arrangements wirken bewusst spröde, fast fragmentarisch, entwickeln aber eine eigene innere Logik. Der Verzicht auf konventionelle Songstrukturen und eingängige Refrains verlangt Aufmerksamkeit, belohnt jedoch mit einer dichten Atmosphäre. Aus heutiger Sicht erscheint Spiderland weniger als bloßes Zeitdokument denn als präzise ausgearbeitete Studie über Spannung und Raum im Rockkontext. Kein leicht zugängliches Album, aber eines mit nachhaltiger Wirkung.
nope.
Moody, cool, hard to recommend a single track with their length but it flows well as a project
Feaarrr. Blew my butt off when I was a young white boy. Don't listen to it often these days. Can't recommend the documentary about these fellas enough. It's on YouTube. Delightful weirdos. Louisville, Kentucky seems to have a way of producing delightful weirdos. Bonnie 'Prince' Billy took the cover photo ya know.
This was an alright album. It felt like a slower, moodier version of Pixies. The sound was cool, but not immediate. It's not a straight-forward sound but more experimental, but definitely feels like it was made in early 90s. I'd listen again at some point but not right now.
Cool!
good raw stuff
pretty cool
That's some big guitar sounds at times which I like. Feels like a precursor of Hum, but not so much in the way of tuneage.
Not really my thing. Will note that it's still enjoyable and its crazy this was produced in 4 days. Appreciate the smooth melodies and relaxing somber tone. My least favourite because it really just isn't the type of music I listen to.
Wow... I've never really listened to Slint before but I can hear the threads of so many bands that came after them. This album isn't something that I'll seek out in the future, but I liked it and can appreciate it for being such an influence. - Heard before? No. - Will I listen again? Probably not. - Does it inspire me to listen to more of this artist? Not really.
It features guitars with a very treble-toned distortion like a buzzsaw cutting through aluminum. The lyrics and vocals in each song begin understated, a low monotone spoken (except for Washer which is sung), building up to cathartic yelling/shouting - at times conversational, at others narrative. They use low guitar tones meeting each other on a dissonant level - Good Morning Captain is a good example: it is a study in quiet moody unsettling music capped with a loud, punk finish. Slint was an influence on PJ Harvey and Godspeed You Black Emperor - some of Mogwai also sounds a lot like this. By the time this record was released the band had already broken up, but it stands as an influential cult-classic ahead of its time.
Tout ce que les 90s ont de bon à nous offrir, du industrial, du grunge, du hardcore. Bonus le cover me donne le goût d'aller me baigner.
Classique. Me rappelle mon époque post-rock/math rock.
cool very melancholy
interestingly good
It was so close, I liked the grunge feel to it, the music, but then it was the talking ... it made it kind weird.
I liked this well enough, but it mostly felt like a rough draft of other stuff I like more.
Again, not a fan of sing-talking: it's giving rock audiobook. Favourite track: Washer
This was good! I see how this band/sound/record has probably influenced a lot of groups I listen to these days (Squid comes to mind first). I'll be honest, I tuned out a little while working and it played the entire extended special edition of the album, and I'm not really sure where it began or ended. But it was engaging enough that I didn't even notice!
Boundary-pushing and entirely novel, tries new things with guitars, drums, vocals, and volume that you really won't get anywhere else. Watch the documentary!
Heel chille rock, maar toch wel een hard kantje. Like it 3,5/5
Talky lyrics are not great but this is OK. Avg rating.
Pretty cool indie album. Definitely captures the essence of that genre at that time. Gotta actively listen to this one to appreciate it.
***An ok album
Falls into a genre I typically like but didn’t move me at all
run it back!!!
It's a no from me
This is some moody shit... Vox a bit of a let down at times, but will be coming back to this. Great stuff.
Great noise
Every time I listen to this album it gets a little bit better
Favorite Track: Nosferatu Man
I expected not to like Spiderland after seeing some of the reviews and hearing the first track, but I actually didn’t mind it! “Washer” is legitimately a great song and it’s also the longest track here, so that worked out nicely. Not the kind of album I can see myself coming back to super often, but it might be worth keeping in my back pocket for a future night drive. Highlights: Don Aman, Washer
3 1/2. Almost 4. I would listen to this again.
I MISS YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
There is a consistent intelligence and mood to this album that stands out against the popular and growing grunge genre. Broody and compelling, it feels like these guys are in a musical lab creating scientific black magic as opposed the standard angsty assault on their lives.
Eerie, haunting, dramatic, interesting.
This probably deserves more than the 3 star rating I’m awarding but it’s quite a moody album, and perhaps I wasn’t always “in the mood”. The soft-spoken vocals against sort of post rock soundscapes which seems ahead of their time. The final track was a good 15 minutes of quarry ambient noises - I quite enjoyed it when the dog barked 14 and a half minutes in…I imagine it would be good to fall asleep to that track.
hmm i dunno
These songs speak of alienation and are austere almost to the point of stubbornness. Even when the band cranks up the noise and tempo a bit, they do it in a very, very controlled manner. When listening I kept thinking of the prose-poetry Lee Ranaldo tracks on Sonic Youth albums such as NYC Ghosts and Flowers (although Slint’s album predated that by some distance). But with Sonic Youth those tracks are interspersed with others that have a different style and texture, whereas here the sound is pretty uniform from first note to last. If it doesn’t catch your mood, there’s not much to look forward to. I often like this kind of music but something about this particular example didn’t quite click with me.
Not really sure what this was intended to be but it's mostly low energy, repetitive and discordant. No appeal for me at all.
Hints of Pavement and Sunny Day Real Estate, except this was first. Right up my alley.
I think its quite okay. Rate 6/10
If "I totally have a girlfriend, she just goes to another school. In Canada." was an album. Hopefully they passed their creative writing class.
Not good
4.5/10
I much prefer all the things this inspired; SDRE, Death Cab, etc.
Very 90s grunge
Not terrible. Good BG tunes
Yeah, I felt ever song sounded the same. I won’t be adding this to my album collection
Fine probably will like on more listens. Could only hear the music in one ear which was annoying!
I was thankful the album only contained 6 tracks, it made skipping through tracks 2 and 6 to listen to brief snippets much easier after drawing the conclusion it was utter shite from track 1.
3.75/5 Stars Top Songs: Washer, Good Morning Captain, For Dinner
Music by and for people who aren't doing so great.
Sometimes I get impatient with loud-quiet-loud dynamics, just get to the loud part! Very good album though. A strange thought: I think I inhabited the nervous young man energy of music like this much better when I weighed a lot less than I do today. Now I feel my body pulling me towards the ground, and my mind is sluggish rather than overactive.
This is a classic from my younger days that I still enjoy. I think Slint, June of 44 and Shellac were my introduction to math rock (or adjacent). It was exciting to see how dissonance, odd time signatures and slow builds could not only be accessible to listeners, but have great payoffs. Good Morning, Captain is an achievement in songwriting not given enough attention. Still solid after all this time.
This album and this band, along with Shellac, were instrumental in helping to expand my idea of what loud rock bands could sound like. The guitars don't always have to be pounding away on power chords, there is room for things to be much more dynamic, with the quiet lows just as important as the loud highs. And dissonance is your friend. This album will always be great and despite so many bands trying to sound like these guys, no one really does. They suck live. So does Tortoise.
Much as I have with the Beach Boys, I have tried many times to feel the way other people do about Slint. And, as with the Beach Boys, I'm ready to give up. Slint is an easier get for me than the BBs, and I do appreciate the music, like the simmering moodiness of "For Dinner..." and the cutting distortion of the guitar in "Breadcrumb Trail" and "Nosferatu Man." But that's about it. The ponderous vocals never did anything for me, and they actively annoy me in "Washer." Sorry, @knaffles.
I could have died without listening to this and been just fine.
Not really for me, strangely
Ummm....Kinda into the atmospheric movie score aspect of some of it but generally makes me kinda sad in a not enjoyable way. And I usually love depressing music
Exceptionally sorrowful and somber, with hypnotic rhythms. 5/5.
Stop yapping through the mediocre background music.
I'm a sucker for complex meter in songs, snd this album delivers in droves. A little off-kilter from a more mainstream sounding rock band, but there's a lot to musically appreciate as well as jam out to. A very pleasant surprise in this project
grungey
I actually loved this one. Not sure why I never heard of them in the 90's, but they remind me of that deep indie rock sound that I loved from bands like the Frogs, and Sonic Youth and others.
I've never known what to call this stuff from the early 90s. Indie rock? Post-punk? Experimental rock? Whatever it is, this is the album that inspired Rodan, June of 44, Shipping News and the instrumental post-rock scene. Dynamics baby!
Post-rock royalty. Easy 5.
Incredible. Never heard them or even of them and that's a travesty. Heavy and ethereal at the same time. My favourite surprise of this journey so far. 11/5
Spiderland was certainly an interesting album. I have read that it got barely any promotion due to the fact that Slint had already broken up prior to this album releasing. However, it certainly did get some very positive reviews with Melody Maker going as far as to give it "Ten fucking stars". After hearing this album i do not think i will give it ten fucking stars, I'm only gonna give it three fucking stars. I definitely did enjoy the guitars as they had that right amount of heaviness to make them really fun to listen to as i love heavy guitars. However, this album was very quiet to the point where i had trouble hearing it at points. I guess it could be the fact that Will Oldham put his name on this album(despite only taking the photo for the cover) but this quietness really holds this album back from greatness. Best Song: Washer Worst Song: For Dinner...
нормалек, но бенгеров не обнаружено...
Ufatteligt kedeligt og intetsigende
My interest was piqued. I knew by name & several of the players in & around & adjacent to the scene & indeed am a big fan of some of it. I found this album to be utterly unremarkable & completely forgettable. It missed my expectations to such a degree that I think maybe the experiment was tainted somehow & I’m gonna have to put this in the “Try again later“ pile. As is, we’re going deuce
Yah, not for me
I hate spiders.
I just don’t get this one.
I liked the spirit of this a lot. Grungy instrumental music. It never gets too toe-tappy or catchy, but it is a good contemplative companion.
I don't know what to make of this. I like the dark atmosphere, the variety in time signatures, the frequent dissonance, and the instrumentals in general. The dynamics are surprisingly crazy; not because it's loud all the time, but because it's fairly quiet most of the time, and that makes the higher points even more impactful. Beyond the harmony and rythym, this album relies upon the subtleties created as a consequence of the huge dynamic range. I was listening with nice headphones (connected through Bluetooth and streaming, admittedly) and I still needed to turn up the volume a few times to hear all elements well (and avoid turning it down when it got a bit loud). Good thing I always have volume normalisation turned off; this must be the kind of music that gets ruined with that setting. It might be the spoken —almost whispered— vocals that put me off of this album to some degree. Maybe that's why Washer was the song I liked best. It's surprising how I for the first couple of songs I thought I wasn't going to dig this, but after paying closer attention and some reflection I started to get more into it. I'm pretty sure this has to be one of those that grows on you with a few listens, and might be more appreciated when you're in a particular, maybe darker, headspace. As with many others on this journey, this will go to my list of albums to re-listen.
This is my 'Nevermind'.
1. trail - 1 2. man - 1 3. don - 1.5 4. uuazher -1.5 5. dinner - 1.5 6. captain - 1
ouvisto pela primeira vez na sexta feira dia 23/01 e depois no dia 25/01. achei legalzinho ate o vocalista é bom demais
Just because you have instruments doesn’t mean you have to “play” them
Felt like being trapped in an av piece in a pretentious gallery
Spiderland is the biggest piece of dogshit I’ve ever listened to, and I say that with full awareness that actual effort went into it. Someone had to think these ideas. Someone had to rehearse them. Someone had to record, mix, master, and at no point did anyone say, “Maybe this doesn’t need to exist.” For that alone, I can't grade it a 0/10. Musically, this album sounds like a band actively trying to remove pleasure from rock music. The guitars creep around like they’re afraid of being noticed, the bass sulks, and the drums show up only to remind you that time is passing and you are not enjoying it. The vocals are half-spoken, half-muttered, as if the singer is embarrassed to be heard but insists on talking anyway. Nothing resolves. Nothing satisfies. Every song feels like it’s building toward something and then decides not to, out of spite. It’s tense, awkward, and emotionally cold, like being trapped in a conversation with someone who insists this is “about the atmosphere.” And yet, here’s the annoying part, I didn’t completely hate the experience. Not because it’s good, but because it’s committed. Spiderland believes in its own misery with absolute sincerity. It’s not accidental garbage; it’s carefully constructed, intentional discomfort. You can hear the thought, the labor, the decisions, even if all those decisions led directly to boredom and irritation. So no, this is not a masterpiece. It’s not genius. It’s not even enjoyable. But it is the result of people working hard to make something this unwelcoming, and I respect the effort more than the outcome. 3/10. I won’t recommend it. I won’t defend it. But I acknowledge that someone suffered to make me suffer, and I respect that.
Not the biggest fan of the slam poetry vocals. Some of the instrumentals were up my alley, but others sounded like when I was learning guitar for the first time and trying out less than stellar chord progressions.
Utterly depressing garbage.
Nadda
Heard Before? Many times, but it has been at least ten years. Notes: - the thin, dry production suits the material, especially the uncompressed drums. - BUT why bury the vocals so completely? it might have seemed edgy and clever at the time, but it is just annoying. - all the guitar tones sound cheap, sometimes to the point of distraction. - and yet, and yet. such strong, varied, inventive songs, with fascinating interplay between band members. - if one cares to decipher them, the lyrics are also spot on, just perfect. - sequencing, pacing and use of space are exemplary. Slint's many imitators never quite caught on to that. Verdict: It sounds like a monochromatic polaroid of dissolute youth in an alley. Desolate, disconnected and doomed, but also beautiful. Listen Again? For sure, but in another ten years.
Hey guys. The early 90’s called, they want their mood back.
I can’t be objective. Daniel Johns (silverchair) said this album was one of his faves so 14 year old me (massive silverchair fan) hunted it down and has been listening ever since. Haunting and poetic post-rock. 5/5 I’ve now listened to this album in full over 8 times in 24 hours. Washer and Good Morning Captain are divine. All tracks rate highly. 14 year old me was onto something. Putting Slint back in regular rotation. Trivia - Will Oldham aka Bonnie “Prince” Billy took the cover photo. Makes me love this album even more.
I found it a strange but interesting listen. I’m not normally a big fan of the spoken lyric style of singing but after a couple of listens I got past this and just enjoyed the grungy riffs and baselines. Hat tip to the reviewer that pointed me towards the Cortez the Killer cover on the deluxe version.
It's a no from me, dawg
oh hell yeah
Gorgeous and dreamy and dark
I have heard of Slint but have not spent any length of time listening to them. This is an influential artist for the early hardcore influenced shoegaze bands, some of the members even splitting off to start hardcore bands. using barely intune guitars to their advantage creating a lot of dissonance in their riffs when using the clean tones. Vocals are raw and meant to tell a story through the six lengthy tracks. Listening to one song out of context would not serve any justice, you need to listen to the whole album front to back to really appreciate this.
Slint’s underground classic Spiderland is ultimately a mixed bag that might not feel like such a big deal to the average listener, as its minimal songwriting, stark spoken-word delivery, and slow-burning pacing can often feel underwhelming and missing a clear direction. However, the saving grace of the album is its exceptionally good production—engineered by Brian Paulson—which captures a raw, hauntingly intimate atmosphere where every sharp guitar pluck and dynamic drum shift sounds remarkably crisp and powerful. While the musical ideas themselves might not live up to the massive cult hype surrounding them, the brilliant sonic clarity and atmospheric depth of the recording ensure it remains a technically impressive piece of work.
I was more aware of the album cover than the album. Lo fi, dissonant and tons of building up tension but it just felt like it never went anywhere. You can hear what would influence other bands but Slint just never really got there.
Can only listen to this if im in the mood for it otherwise i dont enjoy the soft talking portions
Pretty good. Interesting vibes. Actually reminds me of some Midwest emo. Wonder how much they influenced.
Discordant. Not for me
Not for me
Solid album. Good Morning, Captain took me back to my younger days.
Worlds second best black country new road tribute band Stand outs - good morning, captain. (10/10 song), Breadcrumb trails
Negatives never goes anywhere. Never lifts off the ground. Know stand out track (Least not on first listen) Vocals are way to quiet it was getting a bit annoying at times. Positives i did enjoyed bits of it, and do think its a decent album that definitely deserves a second listen to appreciate it more 👍
Haunting simplicity. Delicate and Heavy Henry Rolinsy vibes. Without the arrogance. Washer and Good Morning Captain stand out.
Middle of the road album. Maybe might like it more after a few listens
Didn’t mind it, can imagine enjoying it more on repeat listens. Last song is the one for me.
Wish I could put a zero
I liked this. The tempo changes and different time signatures were really interesting.
Pretty good! I liked the sound, very 90s grunge influenced and reminded me of Brand New meets Nirvana.
Spiderland is an album I appreciate more than I enjoy. I appreciate how influential it was and how instrumental it was in shaping the emerging Post-Rock genre in the 90's. I also appreciate the band's willingness to take their Post-Hardcore roots and stretching out the songs and slowing down the tempos without losing any of the genre's emotiality and impact. That being said, I can't say this is one of my favorite albums or that I return to it often. Key tracks: Washer
Some weird stuff going on here. I am probably missing the point, but songs are not Very melodic or catchy
Moments of greatness surrounded by a lot of non-music. Noise, lofi technical sounds, etc.
V/rv
Really didn't like this one, too weird sounding.
Has some nice instrumentation though the talky bits got rather out there at times
I literally could not hear a single vocal line. Either intentionally obscure or terrible mixing. The sound is edgy and gritty and dissonant and beautiful, though, which I like, and this early math rock weirdness speaks to me. I listened to it the first time and didn't quite like it, but listened to it again and found it growing on me quite a bit. 2 for the lyrical side of things, but 5 for the music, so 4 overall.
Great music.
Buena música. Progresiva en su generalidad, buenos arreglos, un rock duro pero tranqui. Onda she's so heavy?
a solid 10/10 album
Not for me. Weird whispered and spoken vocals and nothing that can reasonably described as a tune.
Enjoyed it - never heard of them before - put me in mind of the Eels to an extent
What a mood this is. It's complex, haunting post rock, and on a snowy January morning I am extremely here for it. The singer (insert inverted commas around singer if you wish) is clearly going to divide the crowd; some people will be put off by a man who spends most of the time talking or screaming, and rarely singing. But I think it really adds to the foreboding atmostphere. It's musically really interesting as well, at times (Washer!) the guitar lines are straight out of Radiohead (before Radiohead were a going concern), and the time signatures keep you guessing a lot. I'd probably listen to this on another day and hate it, but for now, I strongly approve.
I'm going to guess this isn't very highly rated but I really liked it. I could understand why it wouldn't be rated high but I ws digging it especially Washer.
A for effort with the 5/4 time track, but I'm not a fan of albums that put noise on them just for the sake of it.
Fifteen seconds into the first track and I can already tell this is a not for me album
I don’t know what to make of this album. Slint kept us guessing. Spiderland is a rock/punk album but with an experimental edge. The whole album has a uniform dismal vibe. Most of the lyrics and topics were just okay, certainly not anything to write home about. But the final song “Good Morning, Captain” was most interesting! The song mostly uses spoken word, which is sometimes whispered or the instruments are so loud you can’t hear it. But the instrumentation is uneasy and discordant, which is perfect for a song detailing someone alone after a ship sunk. Just delicious.
You can tell these guys come from a punk background. There is a lot of that pre-grunge 90s rock grittiness to their work, both in terms of uneasy, dissonant music and tough lyrical subjects set against an eerie voice. In these way, they remind me a bit of something between Nirvana and Smashing Pumpkins. But they trend a little more atmospheric than Nirvana and a little less vocally theatrical than Smashing Pumpkins. And honestly, with the morose atmosphere that they achieve here against a background of gritty 90s, I'd go even a bit further to call this a bit pre-emo. They seem doomed and they want you to know it. 7 songs at 55 minutes made for tracks that felt a bit rambly/jam sessiony at times. It all comes to an end with a 15 minute field recording of the Utica quarry, which as it turns out is where the album cover photo was taken. Artistically, I like this, but sonically, it got old about 2 minutes in. Anyway, I still enjoyed this album.
no spiders 0/10
I had never heard of this group before today and I am glad I had the chance to listen to this album. I didn't fully love it; the vocals were interesting, but my main focus was some of the great instrumentals.
This is a good
Atmospheric, aggressive, DIY, high-concept. Also, pretty short. This isn't a crowd-pleasing record. It has too much drone, not enough melody and is generally just too self-interested to draw in your buddies while you drive around with the windows down. This is not danceable or sing-along inducing. You should also listen to it. It sounds like -- and, more or less, is -- a garage band doing some Brian Eno/Philip Glass work. It was 1991, our access to music was restricted to radio, local record stores mail-in catalogues (and clubs) and physical record stores. To say that many young musicians hadn't considered that you could do *this* with the tools available to a local punk band is a gross understatement. Spiderland is raw and it does not give sophisticated composition on the surface but it is worth a listen and serious consideration. Its influence on greats of the millennial ambient/post-rock scene (Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Explosions In The Sky, Mogwai, Sigur Ros, etc.) can't really be overstated, anymore than you can overstate the importance of the foundation to the structure of your house. It's not an accessible record (though it's not dense or 'Trout Mask Replica' difficult) but it's got no memorable vocal lines, clever lyrics, grooves or hooks. It's just pure emotional content, delivered by instruments that sound familiar and a singer who kind of sounds like somebody is telling a rambling story near a microphone they're not aware of. It's kinda fucking weird but it's also a landmark to the music scene of the 90s and subsequent decades, nearly as important as Sgt. Peppers was, in its time. Unfortunately, the dense and meandering, single-hostile music that followed it makes it more of an Apocalypse Now than a Jaws. Countless bands beloved by your favorite bands were influenced by this. It's not Helen of Troy, it's her mom (accounts vary, by the way). Anyway, listen to this. And if you haven't previously listened to any of the post-rock bands I listed before, come back again when you do (unless you despise them) -- this is essential to that. It's the music that launched a thousand excellent film soundtracks. As a decades-long GYBE fan, I'm glad to have spent this time with it. Importantly, though: it is still rough and I'd rather listen to Godspeed. So only 4/5.
Very post.
Negócio estranho, mas gostei...
This is one of the most surprisingly enjoyable albums of all time.
Saw them play this album live once. With GZA and Sonic Youth. What Friday.
Definitely an interesting album. Some cool stuff here and there. Would my life be any different if this weren't on the list?
Hadn't gotten around to hearing Slint until this, but, I like.
One of those bands I seldom listen to but am always blown away by when I do. Incredible use of dynamics; creating very delicate and soft moments that later explode with power. Few bands attempted this style and even fewer succeeded.
woof. the stereotype early 90s dark and gloomy indy record.
This was a strange album. The instruments were GREAT. I loved the tone of the guitar. The bass and drums were really good. The singing was atrocious, and the songwriting was lackluster. The second half of the album bored me to death.
Prior to listening I expected to rate a one or two. After listening I would give a 2.5. Not quite average.
I found this album depressing. They should’ve called their band shit instead of sling.
I think I need to spend more time with this one, enjoyed it more than expected
Favs: Breadcrumb Trail Washer Good Morning, Captain Least Fav: For Dinner...
Had some interesting moments, might have appreciated more if I had a more technical music mind but as stands it was a bit slow for me and didn't super click
Insane guitar tones. Creepy vocals. It’s a true 1 of 1 album.
I had a friend in college who was big on these guys. He would insist on listening to it. While I think some of the music is interesting, the spoken word, open-mic like talking is annoying after the first minute and there's some singing, but it sounds like what I'd hear in the early 90's in every single garage. I actually do think everyone should hear this before they die. Especially those who are starting out playing their local bar or dive bar scene. Don't do this. Sing. Leave the open mic poetry elsewhere. 1.86 / 5 stars
i really want to like this more, i respect its influence, but man is it just boring for most of the album. some high highs but mostly slow and not very exciting
Very atmospheric
Love this album. Reminds me a lot of Shellac which is def a compliment. Great stuff!
just one of those albums that i know is great so i never listen to it but when i get around to it... goddamn!
It was marginal.
first listen well this is great
Not my jam
O típico álbum que o cara pensa "por que isso tá aqui?". Sempre essa vibe misteriosa, tem que ir muito longe pra entender o contexto, por que só pela arte em si não dá pra entender, mas como aqui estou julgando entretenimento, vai ter que ser isso.
at first was very disconcerted by how ominous and menacing it all sounds. but came to appreciate all the mumbling and shouting and talking and sometimes singing. i’m not sure when j would be in the mood to listen to this but i think it could create the mood for me
4/5
Wow, this is definitely an entry on my list of discoveries I made thanks to this project. Pile, Shellac and others come to mind as bands that were definitely influenced by these guys. Extra point for their somewhat mysterious band history.
I really really like this album, but I don't think it's perfect. It tries very hard, and achieves most of what I think it sets ku to, but it doesn't hold my attention throughout. I'd eat my own shit in order to see it played live, but probably because it's warty
Distorted, fuzzy, feedback heavy indie rock. I love feedback as much as the next guy but when some tracks finish will like eleven minutes of it, it seems maybe a tad overdone. That’s my feedback anyway (see what I did there?)
While I usually like art rock and things like that, this just goes into the background without much interest.
Art school jank. Wouldn’t go near it again
2.8 2x
Some lovely dirge on here, and you can hear why it was so influential. First time for me on this, and I wouldn’t bet against repeat listening yielding that fifth star.
One of those albums which fans like to tell you is super influential, but you look around at what it influenced and... Shrug? To paraphrase that awful Stefani woman, 'I'm just an album'. Which is what this is. It's just an album. Like many others, it came and went like a burp. The dude on the left of the cover looks like my mate from school, Maccers. The dude on the right looks like Slater from Saved By The Bell. The music isn't very exciting or memorable, but at least they tried. They got out of the flooded quarry one day and said 'hey Maccers, hey Slater, hey...Bryce-leigh, you wanna go play guitar'? They all said no. And thus, Spiderland was born. With zero spiders.
That is certainly one of the albums of all time
I don’t know why but I like this album a lot.
angsty and awesome
An okay album, I liked Breadcrumb Trail the most.
Does it belong here as a game changing, boundary pushing album? Yep. Is it commercial? no. Sounds like In Utero Nirvana and Korn with no distortion pedals. I do like it tho! Interesting listen.
very punk, cant believe this was 91. long punk songs that were almost proto math rock and shoegazy
Another album that's good and I can see how it was influential but having heard the albums it infulenced first I probably don't appreciate it as much as had I heard it first time
Meh record, did not spark anything on me.
This album cover is pretty iconic, surprised I've never listened to these guys. Here goes! Ah well, it's not for me. 28 year old me would've dug this when it came out but old me doesn't have the patience for all this slow dissonance.
No
By all accounts, this is an album I should love. It is easily in the top 3 most influential post-rock albums, a genre half of my favorite artists make music in. It basically pioneered the most popular style of post-rock (after Glenn Branca, I guess) before the genre itself even had a name. I listened to it a lot, but I’m still excited to hear it again every time… yet I don’t think I fully get it. The songs are incredibly memorable; I like the atmosphere, the talk-singing, the storytelling of this album, and the loud parts are chills-inducing, but I think it lacks some extra oomph. I understand their intentions, but I think the slower parts are a bit too uneventful sometimes and could use more texture. There’s even a full song that I’d consider a nothingburger (For Dinner…). I don’t know. I probably rated some lesser albums higher. I still think this album is great, but I don’t vibe with it as much as I logically should, as it basically paved the way for a big portion of my favorite music. It could’ve been better. It is sad that Slint made pretty much nothing after Spiderland. It would’ve been interesting to see how their style might’ve evolved.
Quiet post rock album, dark and raw.
Faves: Washer & Good Morning Captain
I didn’t get it and won’t be listening again
General thoughts: Coming from ´91 this is probably one of the first appearances of post-rock, like for example, I see the lo-fi recording, slightly distorted guitars, almost whispering voices with long repeating ambiance that radiates down to all these niche-rock-genres... And I usually like said niche-rock-genres, like math rock and such, but this is boring with 20% of the song being interesting and the rest background noise. Not bad per se but gets old after the first track. Instrumental songs are tiktok level emo-core, non-instrumentals feel like a mild attempt at mimicking Bastro. Outstanding song(s): Breadcrumb Trail Weakest song(s): Washer Cover: Lazy Real rating: 2.58
Every one of these songs had potential and not a single one did anything with it. I was so bored
Great stuff