Another take on Nirvana
Once again (as all 3-5 years) I try myself to get into the "N-thing"...the one band around that cute (cough, cough) and heroine addicted brother of Che Guevara with the golden hair.
The band that was discovered and supported by Sonic Youth and that sold out underground rock in 1991.
Those who are so unbelievably overhyped and overrated. The band I really never got into at all.
Yes, I'm talking about Nirvana, the enemy of modern music :D .
These days I find myself into a new try. I really bought myself the relevant releases for a fistful of Euros where I work (Bleach [the deluxe edition], Incestide and In Utero [in the 2 for 1 edition] - but I did NOT pay for Nevermind!!!).
Those are the results so far, going thru this four albums:
- There truly is some fun in their debut "Bleach" as stuporous and raw as it is...this sounds like your angry and amateurish 80s garage band which tries a bit too hard to sound like some hardcore legends like Melvins, Sonic Youth or Pussy Galore...at least it has some drive.
- There is nothing, absolutly no reason that would make anyone listen to Nevermind...except the bonus noise track there is crap after crap on this album...it starts with the worst and doesn't get that better...and the very worst about the worst is Butch Vig's highly polished production (remeber how that tinkerer ruined the great songwriting of Siamese Dream with this pop-production?). Maybe the songs on Nevermind wouldn't have been that bad if Albini or Ranaldo would have produced that album - but this way it is just a paine in the ass. An album for some 14-years-olds that wanna feel alternative and very rebelliously but musically a train-wreck.
The only track (besides the bonus) that made me grin (and instantly throw out Nevermind and pop in "Rocket") was the fuzzy Teritorial Pissing (or so). Sort of Sex Pistols spoof imo.
- Incesticide is a joke on the Nevermind audience and their money. But not the worst one.
Most of the tracks are funny but useless throwaways that wouldn't even have had a mention under e.g. Billy Corgan. Some drugfilled and agressive Bleach outtakes, some cheesy punk covers and two Nevermind era outtakes that maybe sounded too underground for it.
But on the other hand there is Big Long Now. A haunting and cool song, I have to admit.
Besides all goofines (or maybe just because of it), this collection is fun, indeed, if you switch your brains of but once again, nothing for a legendary band like Nirvana is supposed to be.
- Well...um...yes.
[...]
And now I have to break my habit of the yearlong Nirvana full-bashing, because there is In Utero.
This [i]is[/i] a acceptable album.
Nothing any close to all the bands I adore.
And nothing that would justify the worshiping of Nirvana.
But a damned-cool indie rock album of it's era.
More noise than on Nevermind, lyrics that even bash that one (Serve the servants) and just one bad crap tune (Rape Me, which is the better alternative version of the unbearably Smells like teenspirit at least).
But there are some tunes that really justify the existence of Nirvana (scentless apprentice, radio-friendly unit shifter, milk it, tourett's) - and yes, those are try-hard Sonic Youth copy-cats...but not the worst ones.
On the other hand, you have some fine popsongs like Heart-shaped box (very suicidal) and Pennyroyal Tea.
And the production is a thing that really made me happy after Nevermind...yeah, this is Albini who let's the guitar sound like a guitar!
In the flow this album is alright and a good choice for your next party.
--> Sum:
I still failed in finding any hint for the popularity of Nirvana and the cult of their fans.
But they truly had their moments.
If you completly ignore awful Nevermind, Nirvana was a good snapshot of their era with some outstanding songs...always in the
shadow of their idol and supporter, big Sonic Youth, and a bit too commercial, but at least a decent indie rock band most of their
time.
But what the hell makes some people call them the best band ever???
DON
ryon
Teej212
Pug92
Dorovo
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Sounds like you tried to get into them again just to bitch about them again.
just sayin.0 Like -
But with that said In Utero has always been my favorite. Radio Friendly Unit Shifter
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That is true, Nirvana, especially live played way better once they had Dave and before they were getting a butt ton of attention. And there are many bands who create more substantial music.
When my photo professor critiques a photo of dirt, cups, or something not worth taking a photo of, but it looks awesome. He usually says "It's a dumb thing to take a photograph of, but it looks marvelous." I'd have to say something similar when I listen to Nirvana. It's dumb rock music, but it sounds awesome. Lots of energy, simple songs, no brain work. The way punk music should sound.
I think one of the biggest mistakes in listen to Nirvana is diving into the lyrics too much. Little gems pop out every now and then which we can recite and hold meaning to, but listen to On a Plain and you can hear how much he doesn't give a shit about lyrics. It's more about melodies and power chords, dumb stuff... but fun stuff to scream along to. :yay0 Like -
Little bit more Shoegaze than grunge, but I am loving Swervedriver recently. So many layers of fuzzy guitars. :yay
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I never liked Pearl Jam. It;'s probably because bands like Nickelback and other modern rock boredoms imitate his vocal style so much I just associate it with terrible things. AIC and Soundgarden, I've heard and enjoyed but never really was inspired to dive into.
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