10 Most Inaccessible But Ultimately Rewarding Albums Ever

4. Slint - Spiderland

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29MBGwzEhMc Some records take years to gain their full recognition because of their obtuse musical standpoints and 1991's Spiderland is one such record. As the decade rolled on influences could be heard largely on the grunge scene which is greatly indebted to the quiet-loud dynamics present and the lyrical isolation that Spiderland embodies. Slint would never release another full length LP but with an album this well thought out, perfection had already been achieved by that point. It is completely perfectionist in the way that every note and beat are completely on point without sounding over produced and this intense attention to detail breath such life into otherwise lethargic pieces of music. The vocals are whispered at times but they are somehow weighty all in the same breath, something which categorizes the album as a whole. The drums are syncopated and intricate whilst still retaining a somewhat familiar sound and the same goes for the twangy guitar lines. Each one of the six tracks are perpetual bliss in a very depressing kind of way. 'Breadcrumb Trail' is hazy in its structure with a reverberating guitar riff and off kilter drumming while 'Don Aman' is one of the most barren, lifeless songs of the 90's with its hushed vocals and reflective guitar refrain. This subtle songwriting technique is what makes Spiderland such a gentle yet destructive piece of work. As good as those tracks are nothing tops the gormless strut of 'Good Morning Captain'. It's not hard to see why members allegedly checked themselves into a metal institution after recording because it's such a tense, crazy fought piece of work. The bassline plods along haplessly as the drums and guitar tumble over eachother before descending into a full on breakdown for the outro. A true work of art that sums up the overall dark vibe of Spiderland perfectly. Dynamically unparalleled and completely alien to anything else, Spiderland encompasses everything in a way that is still to this day unrivaled in its vulnerability and fragile state.