In many ways Spiderland is lucky to exist., Slint weren't exactly the most avid studio band in the world, only recording two full length albums during the five years in which they were properly active. They also disbanded around the time this record was released - 1991 - perhaps even shortly before, which could have scuppered any plans for their difficult second even after they managed to emerge from a recording facility with enough tracks.

But what tracks they are. Spiderland is rightly considered an absolute landmark, an LP that captures the spirit of rock 'n' roll in transition. Leaving one decade behind, and the hardcore punk that had dominated the underground guitar scene, while still retaining those ethics, it has one foot in grunge, another in experimental, another in garage and a fourth somewhere else. Enough limbs to mark it out as a real mutant.