So, yes, it's official now: I'm at work on writing a book about Slint's Spiderland as part of Continuum's 33 1/3 series. I started working on this back in October, turned in my proposal in December, and have since anxiously watched my inbox and the 33 1/3 blog as the contenders went from a longlist of 597, then to 170, then to 25, and finally to the 11 final selections. I'm really thrilled and honored to be a part of a series that has put out so many great books by artists and writers I really admire. And you can't believe how excited I am to tackle, of all albums, Spiderland. This is the album that, fifteen or sixteen years ago, completely impacted the way I listen to music. I've gone through my share of musical phases in my life, but Spiderland is one that has remained with me throughout.
I'm still so early in the process that I don't want to go too much into detail about how I'll approach the record, but suffice to say I think Spiderland is one of the most mysterious albums of the last twenty years, and Slint one of the most mysterious bands. I plan to get as deep into that mystery as I can. I'll be spending the rest of this year, and maybe a little of next, researching and writing. The book should come out some time next year.
I want to give a shout out to Sam Yurick for helping me with an early draft of the proposal, and an even bigger shout out to my brilliant wife, who has been so encouraging over the last few months and who indulges me daily as I blabber on about any and all Slint-related ideas passing through my head.
Now to the writing part. Wish me luck!
that's awesome dude! i can't wait
Posted by: shaun | May 09, 2009 at 06:57 PM
holy crap man. that is absolutely awesome. I will totally read that book. think you can write one about yank crime when you're done?
Posted by: jeremy | May 09, 2009 at 08:10 PM
Congratulations Scott - Very exciting news. You will do a great job, I'm sure. I can't wait to read my copy!
Posted by: Paul | May 09, 2009 at 08:11 PM
Thanks everyone - Jeremy, it was my #2 choice when I was deciding what to pitch...
Posted by: scott pgwp | May 09, 2009 at 09:42 PM
Congratulations! Can't wait to read this book.
Posted by: Brian | May 10, 2009 at 12:12 AM
Love the album, but need help explaining it to skeptical friends. This should help.
Posted by: James | May 10, 2009 at 03:06 PM
this is great - I love the 33 1/3 series. I'm looking forward to your book.
Posted by: matthew langley | May 11, 2009 at 08:36 AM
hey scott,
major congrats! this is exciting news!!!!
Posted by: dave | May 12, 2009 at 08:26 PM
Oh snap!
You've got to interview Dave Pajo and old members of the "Washer" e-mail list about possible Voivod Nothingface influences on Spiderland. Dave Pajo wore a Voivod tshirt at their All Tomorrow's Parties show (see pic at http://trickledown.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/slint1.jpg). They're there--the whispered lyrics and pretty guitar into to Missing Sequences, the high-pitched descending guitar part that's like the high pitched guitar part in Slint's Nosferatu Man, etc.
Posted by: a | June 09, 2009 at 10:01 PM
here's another slint dave pajo pic of him in a voivod shirt
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sgreen002/3461856719/sizes/o/
Posted by: a | June 09, 2009 at 10:05 PM
Here's a great photo of Slint with Dave Pajo wearing a Voivod shirt in 2005 in Chicago:
http://metrochicago.com/media/photos.php?band=slint_&firstPage=3&lastPage=17
Posted by: a | June 09, 2009 at 10:11 PM
Awesome - thanks a. I definitely hear a metal influence (and it's clearly there in the research I've done) but hadn't specifically made a Voivod connection. I'll check them out.
Posted by: scott pgwp | June 09, 2009 at 10:23 PM