SPIDERLAND

4.5 stars. If you google the best Post-Rock albums of all time you will see this album cover over and over of these teenagers up to their necks in water looking quite happy. A young band out of Kentucky these four youths created something very special and influential in 1991. The cover is a little misleading as we get a lot of darkness, melancholy and anger here. Lots of spoken words like narration almost with some yelling and screaming as well. This is Post-Rock and why they are in Prog-Related here makes no sense.

"Breadcrumb Trail" is a great opener with that picked guitar and drums to start as spoken words join in. It kicks in hard before 1 1/2 minutes as passionate vocals join in almost yelling or shouting the words. I like those high pitched guitar leads too. More spoken words at 2 1/2 minutes then back to the passionate vocals before 3 minutes as contrasts continue. A calm after 4 minutes with strummed guitar and atmosphere. Some nice guitar expressions follow then picked guitar and spoken vocals like the start which continues to the end.

"Nosferatu Man" opens with bass and a beat as high pitched guitar comes and goes over top. Spoken words join in but soon he's shouting a minute in with a heavy sound. More spoken words then back to that opening bit as themes are repeated. Some extended riffing from before 3 1/2 minutes to almost 5 minutes in. "Don, Aman" opens with the words "Don stepped outside..." then some serious sounding strummed guitar takes over. Barely audible spoken words return almost mumbling. A change 2 minutes in as fast paced guitar melodies take over. The distant spoken words are back then another guitar kicks in just before 4 1/2 minutes ripping it up. It steps aside then it all slows right down.

"Washer" is the longest track at almost 9 minutes. Faint guitar to start then it turns fuller with picked guitar, bass and drums. Laid back and melancholic here. Relaxed vocals after a minute as it settles right down as contrasts continue. A sad song. It kicks in with power just before 7 minutes with vocals. Love that guitar but it doesn't last long. "For Dinner..." is an instrumental that is deep sounding and dark. This is laid back as it ebbs and flows.

"Good Morning, Captain" along with the opener are my favourites. A lone picked guitar to start is joined by drums and bass quickly. Catchy stuff as spoken words join in as well. It turns powerful with distorted guitar 2 minutes in but it stops quickly. Another powerful outburst arrives before 4 minutes as we get a longer taste this time, then it happpens again after 6 minutes joined by emotional vocals as it stays powerful. So good!

Influential yes, but also a very good album. I've had this one cranked all week.