Slint - Spiderland

Touch and Go Records

Slint's seminal and heavily influential second album 'Spiderland' was released on legendary underground label Touch and Go Records on this day 30 years ago.

Post-Rock's formula of ascension, the spoken word, atmospheric passages and cathartic undoing can be somewhat tied back to the release of this record. Not necessarily this album on its one and only, you just get the feeling that its the true inception, the perfect execution of the style and hasn't been bettered since. Compared to a Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Slint tend to indulge more on rhythmic calculations and masterfully worked points of seismic shifts.

The music is, of course, the centerpiece of any album but when you consider the fact that this was released by a group of people in their late teens it has to somewhat change how you look at music. Fair enough the members were all playing in bands years before Spiderland's release but it doesn't change the fact that the landscape of a whole scene is perched upon the shoulders of guys jamming out in their parents basement. Especially post-rock, a form of music generally tied to lengthy song structures and a somewhat classical approach in general. Its one of those things I guess, wrapping your head around it doesn't seem to explain it in any way. The most experienced of musicians wouldn't be able to hold a light to this sort of thing.

If you haven't seen it already I would highly recommend a documentary about this record called 'Breadcrumb Trail'. It's a great behind the scenes look at the story of how the project came together with footage of the band playing gigs years before the records release. Clips of early renditions of Spiderland and jam sessions can be found on it also. Steve Albini, David Yow and many more make appearances during its runtime.

Favorite Track: Washer

March 27th, 1991.