YOURZ
I knew who Nirvana were before Nevermind sent them into the stratosphere of rock. I was one of those early adopters who bought Bleach and was blown away by their punk-rock-meets-Pixies-pop stylings. My band at the time (hello former Scruffs!) did a cover of Love Buzz, inspired by their cover. But then along came this album. And it changed everything.
Nevermind was such a huge cross-over hit, the music industry had to change the way it was doing business. Suddenly, 'indie' no longer inspired visuals of sweaty, long-haired lads tooling around the country in a exhaust-spewing van, surviving on bong-loads, beer and biscuits. Now, every major label was stampeding over each other to find another Nirvana (I love the irony of these words).
Arguably, without Nirvana, bands like Soundgarden, Pearl Jam and Smashing Pumpkins (and so many more, I could be here for days making a list) wouldn't have found the fame they have done. While these and many others that followed have had sterling careers, none have had the impact Nirvana has had. They are indeed, for the want of a stupid, simple analogy, the Gen-X answer to The Beatles.
I was fortunate enough to see Nirvana live at the ANU Refectory in Canberra in the summer of 1992. There were only 2000 tickets available for this show but another 1000 kids crushed each other against the glass windows, trying to get a glimpse of the band. When some kids broke a window and poured through, a happy riot ensued. None of us ticket-holders could begrudge them a chance to see this band live. But little did we know it would be the first and last time the band made it to Australia.
I can't remember exactly what songs they played, but I do remember when they played Smells Like Teen Spirit, the venue became a single bouncing entity. I honestly had never experienced anything like this before, and haven't since. And I'm sure if Kurt knew this, it would make him smile.
VERDICT: TURN IT UP
MINE
So... what can I add after that? I have to admit, when this album came out I was firmly entrenched in dance culture, and really didn't get it at all. I think it took the MTV Unplugged session a couple of years later to reveal to me how good a singer Cobain was and how well he wrote. And now? I love it. The beautiful moment when rock and pop co-exist in perfect symbiosis. Also shows off what a kick-arse drummer Dave Grohl is.
Essential.
VERDICT: TURN IT UP
I've never gotten these guys. I've always thought that they are held in higher regard because Cobain offed himself. They wrote self-absorbed, depressing songs. TURN IT DOWN!
ReplyDeleteI'll go out on a limb and say I didn't care for this album when it first came out. I thought they were overrated. As time went by, I grew to love this album. Still, I don't think they are in the same league as rock gods like Led Zeppelin.
ReplyDeleteSo who doesn't own this? Just shows how it has infiltrated the market. I understand the comments above, but we are the wrong generation. The daughter of one of my music buddies was completely immersed in this band to the extent that they took over her life in just the same way that the Beatles did years before. To see her pain on Cobain's death reminded me how music affects the young as it did me back in the day. I'm armoured plated against this sort of stuff these days...mostly. Just don't talk to me about the demise of Lush!!
ReplyDeleteCharlie, this album achieved a huge amount of success, well before Cobain's suicide. There is no doubting its high regard, though. But each to their own.
ReplyDeleteAs for your view of their material, I've read numerous accounts of his life and he would probably agree with you.
YourZ
Hey Drew, you and Mine have this in common. It is hard to compare them to any other act because their career was cut short. I don't if Zeppelin had quite the same impact but still...
ReplyDeleteYourZ
MO, I loved this band but, as you right say, I was in my late 20s and so excited to see the rise of such a truly world-engulfing music revolution. I could play the 'if it weren't for...' game but I think you get my point.
ReplyDeleteYourZ