Spiderland

This has some of the best individual songs of the decade even if the album has weak spots.

Has its moments but feels bloated. Would benefit from trimming a few tracks.

Competent and often enjoyable, but feels like it's missing something to make it truly special.

I've tried writing about this album so many times and words always fall short.

Actively unpleasant listening experience for me. I can appreciate craft without enjoying the result, and that's exactly what happened here. Well-made music that I never want to hear again. Different strokes, I suppose.

A few tracks could have been cut without losing anything, but what's here is largely excellent. The production is gorgeous and the performances are top-notch. One of the better albums I've heard recently.

The production alone is worth the listen, but the songwriting elevates it further.

The singles are obvious highlights but the deep cuts are excellent too.

I go back and forth on this — some days it's a 4, some days it's a 4.5. The inconsistency in my own feelings about it probably reflects the slight inconsistency of the album itself. But at its best, this is breathtaking.

A rewarding listen that demands your full attention.