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"I can't see you every night for free" pinkertonisrad
Nirvana struck me by surprise. They knocked me down, dragged me around and changed my views on things forever with the generation-defining opening riff of "Smells like Teen Spirit". Few bands are made with one song, usually the process is that you work hard, record, tour and get a record out. After numerous underground records, a record label will catch you with a fishing hook send you to "processed heaven" and out comes a "sell-out radio friendly unit shifter". Nirvana just needed one song. A song that was so good, so cool, so in touch with the nation's feelings that 10 years on, it still ranks as one of the best songs ever recorded and released. After that, the singles just flew by as the album "Nevermind" defied all expectations- sending Wacko Jacko back to the mental insititute, making Madonna a thing of the past and notching up 10 million copies so far (Diamond status). Although, to me, the record is far overrated and deeply flawed, no one cannot say that it didn't touch them even if lyrics like "Got to find a way to find a way" seemed like complete and utter jibberish at first. Then came In Utero, an underhwhelming development that, although giving us a sharp insight into Cobain's sad life and deteriorating will to live, had little of the spark that its predecessor held so firmly. So it's sad to say, that Nirvana (or Kurt) never reached their limitations and remain a band (or a myth in todays Spice Girls culture) that could have have been "the best band in the world, ever". So what happened before Nevermind. Well, Nirvana recorded Bleach for only £600 and the record was released and made a few tremors in the music biz, but never really hit the big time. In short, Bleach is Nirvana without the pop, without the bubblegum comedy and without the drumming skills of Dave Grohl (Chad Channing was the original stone man). That's not to sya it's bad however as Bleach displays Nirvana, the band, at its purest stage- all metal riffs, un-diluted attitudes and the larger than life persona of Kurt Cobain flexing his vocal cords a bit. Bleach is the ultimate mosh album- a no-brainer, shout-loud, shamefully dumb and enjoyable adrenaline rush that will shock your core. If you bought The Vines' album this Summer, loved the hit single Get Free then this is for you because Bleach just breaks down into being thirteen Get Free-style anthems that are either burning rubber, slouching around or running at the speed of light. The lyrics are typical grunge nonsense but have no effect on the real impact of this album, the juge chugging riffs, greased up basslines and frenetic drum pace. The guitar solos are feedback littered and even the more pop-orientated songs (About A Girl, Love Buzz, Mr. Moustache) have a dirty, scuzzy edge about them that seems to lift them from instantly disposable trite to impeccable grunge masterpieces. Opening with the tumbling bassline of Blew and a ghoulish metal thrash, the song rapidly descends to Kurt's increasingly violent and aggravated vocals until the explosions of anger occur in the chorus with a malevolant guitar lick. Tracks like Floyd The Barber, the ultimate mosh pit thrash of Negative Creep ("I'm a negative creep, I'm a negative creep, I'm a negative creep and I'm stoned", "Daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more"), the elegant chorus of Scoff and the buzzing pop hook of Mr. Moustache all continue this adrenaline trend. Among the anger, distortion and guitar burning licks are some "ballads" as well. The most famous, namely, About A Girl. And Cobain's first ballad still is as cool as it ever was, sweeping the listener by into another more dreamy wistful world, the song is built upon two smooth chords and Cobain's frequent confessions of "I do". The song contains no distortion until it's feedback laden "interlude" section. Other "ballads" are just really slowed down mosh pit numbers, like Big Cheese which rides on a slow puff puff riff that is catchy and repetitive. So, in terms of Nirvana's standards Bleach is up there with the best. To conclude, here is my ultimate guide to Nirvana's records:- 1. Nevermind (see crown winning opinion, need I say more?) 2. Bleach (aggressive, no-brainer, macho metal fun) 3. From The Muddy Banks Of The Wishkah (well performed live songs that showcases Kurt's ferocity on the stage) 4. In Utero (disappointing third and final studio album) 5. MTV Unplugged (ubiquitous performance might be fantastic but the listen is far too disturbing as Cobain turns all of his happy-go-lucly tunes- e.g. About A Girl- into daker, depressing acoustic break downs) 6.Incesticide (as unfocused as any other rairities/b-sides album).
Number 1 will change on November 11th when Nirvana's Greatest Hits are finally released. Chow and please nominate for a crown. I'm displeased with my readers- one comment on my last opinion. Frigging write something.
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