Sure, it's not like a Golden Earring album and I see what you're saying but, for me, the album is not so inaccessible that you have to invest time in it or anything.
It's a remarkably good and innovative album for sure but, at the time, Touch and Go, Drag City and Quarterstick records were kings of the industry. Along with Slint there was The For Carnation, Royal Trux, Rachel's, Pavement, Bedhead, etc., etc. and all of these were everyday listening material.
All I needed to "get the essence" of Spiderland was to listen to it over and over and over -- out of sheer enjoyment.

What we're both saying is that there are different ways to experience the album.

This is my very favorite album of all time. i can listen to the whole thhing and not lose focus. Something appealed to me about it and I love it. I stilll dont get it though

yeah, i've heard that opinion from a lot of people, why do you think that is?

Maybe on the first listen, people aren't really listening for the little things and they're just looking at the big picture. On the second listen people are paying more attention, because they know what's coming.

You've got to play it loud and get immersed, on low volumes it passes you by.

I hear the same thing with most experimental music, or pretty much anything that's outside the listener's comfort zone. I tend to get a feeling of slight dislike but with an odd urge to listen to it more with any music that goes beyond what I'm used to.

yes, keep listening. then get rewarded!

It'd would be a lot better if it wasn't for the piece of sh*t track "for dinner...."
And I still stand by Tweez being better.

I just like that Will Oldham took the cover photo.