Highly unexpected good news on the music front

Seattle is one of three cities booked so far on the Slint reunion tour. I’m a bit of a sucker for reunion tours, especially for those bands that put out great stuff in the early 90’s and then broke up. Even more especially those frequently credited with pioneering loud/soft dynamism (I’ve always thought Slint’s dexterity with tempo, rather than volume, make a greater contribution to their bracing intensity, but whatever. And while I’m on the subject, Robert Christgau can kiss my ass.). Of course, unlike the Pixies, I had no idea Slint existed in the early 90’s, so there’s no nostalgia associated with this one. But still, this is pretty cool. (Little known fact linking the two bands: Slint member Britt Walford played on the Breeder’s album Pod, under the pseudonym “Mike Hunt”)

So far, it’s just San Franscisco, Seattle (March 12, Showbox), Chicago, and East Sussex, UK (ATP). It seems likely more dates will be announced shortly.

If I can channel the Jack Black character from High Fidelity for a moment, if you haven’t heard of Slint and aren’t familiar with their watershed album Spiderland, you should be deeply ashamed. It’s better than the vast majority of what you listen to. Go buy it before someone finds out.