10 Albums Which Almost Destroyed Their Creators

For fans of post-punk, Spiderland (1991) retains an almost mythical status. Inarguably, it is a highly influential record, cited by many as an important landmark in the development of the genre. Mixing experimental approaches with cerebral songwriting and a cold, progressive sonic feel, Slint remains an impressive listen, as fractured and tense as the environment from which it resulted.

Recording took a particular toll on lead singer Brian McMahan, who would shortly after leave the band, and who was subsequently diagnosed with depression. Slint explores intense themes of adolescent fear, with McMahan not revealing the lyrics to the other members of the band until it came time to document them on tape. When that time did come, McMahan, who had deliberately not rehearsed, let all of his feelings out, knowing that singing each line was a one-off experience.

Rumours surrounding the fevered, fierce four-day sessions continue to circle and magnify. Legends of emergency psychiatric interventions and collective madness, although denied by various members of the band, are hard to ignore. Listening to the results, you can certainly believe this was the case. Whatever the truth might be, Slint resulted in the band disintegrating as a working unit before the album was ever released.