Yes I know Epinions hardly needs yet another 5 star review of Nevermind. And frankly I didn’t actually intend to write one until just recently. You see on my last review of Pearl Jam’s Ten (check it out if you want), I got a comment from a certain Terminator_Cat, who will of course remain nameless, talking about my statement that I tend to hate all classics. He went on to pose the question “so what would you give Nevermind?”, and so this review was born (to prove I don't hate all classics and to get back in his good books a bit, shameless I know). I should also apologise for any outburst of sentimentality that may occur in this review as this was only the second CD your humble review bought back in the days when he was young, carefree and simple. Skipping through fields of….Ahem sorry got carried away a bit there. Anyway back to the CD…..
**Possibly safe to read again**
Now I’m going to avoid giving you the whole raving fanboy story of what Nevermind has become, and its place in history as I’m sure you’ve read about it hundreds of times. Instead I’m going to concentrate on how darn good it is for musical reasons and not any “it’s the most important album ever” thing that you can read the other better reviews for if you want.
This is the second album from Seattle band Nirvana after the good but not overly special Bleach. After that album the band went through a line-up change dispensing of a second guitarist and changing the drummer to become a trio. The line up for this disc is Kurt Cobain (Vocals, Guitar), Kris(t) Novoselic (bass) and Dave Grohl (Drums). I think just about everyone is familiar with Mr Cobain’s voice and its strangled raspy sound and they’ve heard his ability to pen simple but catchy guitar riffs and generally rock out. There are plenty of people who say Cobain cant sing, and while its true his voice isn’t exactly tuneful, I don’t think any Nirvana fan would change it at all. Novoselic is in my opinion a highly underrated bassist and one who ranks up with the best in the world, if only he had done something after the fall of Nirvana. As we all know, Dave Grohl is an evil genius who has stolen most of the world’s talent and hidden it under his floorboards. How else could you explain that not only can this man sing, play guitar, write songs, always be in fantastic bands, as well as being a damn fine drummer. You cant that’s how.
The album itself is 12 tracks long (Plus a hidden track, but the less said about that the better). The overall all style is that of hardish rock that still keeps its eye on poppy melodies, and as such was rather unique. There is a mix of serious rockers (mainly the singles), funny enjoyable songs and a couple of beautiful acoustic tracks which overall makes a brilliantly three dimensional album. Every single song is a piece of genius and shows every band members talent to the fullest. The guitar is always catchy and Cobain refrains from overdoing it (although that could be because he is incapable of it) and he is perfectly compliment by Novoselic’s bouncy and occasionally dark style of bass. The lyrics have a typical angst side to them but often have a deeper meaning than they appear to at first. Alternatively they’re silly but still witty and guaranteed to make you laugh your proverbial @rse off. The real reason why Nevermind is so good is its versatility, if you what something fun it fits the bill perfectly, need something to listen to for a more emotionally deep experience, it works just as well. It’s the ideal thing for playing at a party yet it fits perfectly to just sit on your own and listen to it. That is this CDs crowning achievement.
THE TRACKS
1. Smells Like Teen Spirit (5:00) – Do I really need to describe this song? Well no, as everybody who’s been even vaguely near a radio has heard it 20 million times. The astounding fact is that despite this probably being the song I’ve heard the most in my life it still sounds fresh. It might be the guitar riff that gets stuck in my head every time, the deep and plodding bass or Cobain’s slurred but powerful delivery of the lyrics. And I haven’t even mentioned the brilliant drumming in the loud sections and the solo that is easily the albums best. Plus this song basically made the soft/loud/soft/loud pattern the norm for most of the songs after it.
And I forget
Just why I taste
Oh yeah, I guess it makes me smile
I found it hard
It was hard to find
Oh well, whatever, nevermind
2. In Bloom (4:14) – The single that receives the least airplay here in Britain but that’s not to say its worse than ‘teen spirit’. The thudding guitar line is superb and the creeping bassline isn’t without its tune. This is another song where Cobain’s vocals really make the chorus although they aren’t brilliant in the verses. The solo is nothing special and Grohl doesn’t do anything particularly special but the song benefits hugely from a real sing along chorus that nobody can resist (seriously play the song around people and watch them try and sing without people noticing, it’s a hoot).
He's the one who likes all the pretty songs
And he likes to sing along
And he likes to shoot his gun
But he knows not what it means
3. Come As You Are (3:39) – I initially was quite bored by this song but after a while the brilliant flow of the lyrics won me over and now its one of my favourites. The song is basically notable for two reasons. As I’ve mentioned the superb lyrics and the way they fit perfectly into the song and also the cyclical bassline that is basically is the main bit of instrumentation. The guitar, drums and Cobain’s vocals in the chorus are all average but the song is still great. Also lovers of irony will find the line ‘and I swear I don’t have a gun’ quite interesting.
Come as you are, as you were
As I want you to be
As a friend, as a friend, as an old enemy
Take your time, hurry up
The choice is your, don't be late
Take a rest as a friend as an old memoria
4. Breed (3:03) – If this is not the most entertaining song ever made I will eat my nonexistent hat. The drumming itself is well worth three minutes of your life as it fills behind a wall of bass and guitar. The greatest part however is the chorus which if you don’t laugh at it, you’re obviously a cold dead corpse of a person. Or just a cold dead corpse if you’ve made a mix up with whom you’re playing it too. The way Kurt sings ‘we could build a tree’ is worth the price of the CD alone. Add to this the fact that this lyrical outtake is the best damn example of lyrics ever written in the history of the universe:
We can plant a house
We can build a tree
I don't even care
We could have all three
5. Lithium (4:16) – Is it just me or does this song seem to go on forever? I always become convinced its been going for about half an hour and when I look at how far its actually gone its always only about 2 minutes. Not that that’s a bad thing as the verses are some of the best you will hear from Nirvana. It uses the soft/loud pattern like teen spirit and to equal effect. The chorus is ever so slightly bland though and so this might just be the worst song on the album. It’s superbly written however and Kurt is again on top form.
I'm so happy 'cause today
I found my friends
They're in my head
I'm so ugly, but that's okay
Cause so are you
6. Polly (2:53) – Despite all the great songs on the album, I find it hard not to call this the centrepiece. Its one of the acoustic songs on the disc that really show off that Nirvana have plenty of talent. Although I might be going sentimental again as about two weeks after buying the album I went and got a guitar and the simple but outstanding riff was the first thing I learned to play. But you really didn’t want to know that. The lyrics are cryptic, at first appearing to be about a bird but then you start to notice some of the darker lines which apparently from an anti-rape message. Grohl does almost nothing but Novoselic’s deep bass and backing vocals are integral parts of the overall feel of the song.
Polly says her back hurts
And she's just as bored as me
She caught me off my guard
Amazes me, the will of instinct
7. Territorial P!ssings (2:23) – This is one of those short fun songs Nirvana specialise in. Starting with (so I’m told it is) Novoselic saying some stupid random things before a rapid jamming session begins. It may be simple, even a bit backwards but the way Cobain shouts until his voice starts breaking and so he screams like a little girl will have you in stitches.
Gotta find a way
A better way
When I'm mad (there)
Gotta find a way
A better way
I better wait
8. Drain You (3:43) – A more serious song complete with a heavy, bouncy guitar line. This is another one of those songs where, sneakily without anyone noticing it, Grohl completely runs away with the song. The drumming is the most interesting instrument actually making the tune when the song breaks down towards the end. Cobain doesn’t do anything terribly exciting vocally but the lyrics are intriguing mainly because they are so strange. Not the best song but still a decent one.
One baby to another said
I'm lucky to met you
I don't care what you think
Unless it is about me
It is now my duty to completely drain you
9. Lounge Act (2:36) – The second biggest burst of pure enjoyment. The bassline is too fun for words and the guitar is suitably catchy. Cobain is at his most effective, with both vocals and lyrics especially the way he shouts into the final chorus. The problem is that by the time we get to the final chorus I’ve been mesmerised by the drumming into concentrating solely on what Grohl is doing and ignoring the rest (a cunning plan Mr Grohl). If you need a sudden burst of energy just stick this song on, it works every single time.
Don't tell me what I wanna hear
Afraid of never knowing fear
Experience anything you need
I'll keep fighting jealousy
10. Stay Away (3:31) – Have you been noticing a pattern in my write-ups of the last two songs? Would you like to guess what band member steals the show in this one? Well guess. Well aside from the drumming the great parts in this song is the combination of Novoselic and Cobain’s vocals in the verses and Cobain’s shout in the chorus. The bass is again most funky (say that in a posh accent) but the guitar isn’t anything I can really write anything interesting about.. I can’t help but love this song.
Monkey see, monkey do
I don't know why I'd
Rather be dead than cool
I don't know why I
Every line ends in rhyme
I don't know why I
Less is more, love is blind
11. On A Plain (3:14) – Continuing the high-octane string formed by the last few songs is this song which is a combination of the funny and the serious. It’s a bit like a more light-hearted and faster paced Drain You but there is still a rather abstract slant to the lyrics. The guitar riff is one of those that can’t help but be cool and the drumming is superlative once again. Cobain’s vocals are top notch especially on the line ‘I love myself better than you’ with the backing help of Novoselic. Infinitely enjoyable.
Somewhere I have heard this before
In a dream my memory has stored
As a defence I'm neutered and spayed
What the hell am I trying to say
12. Something In The Way (3:44) – Out of Nirvana’s three albums this is the most beautiful song they ever created. It’s just an acoustic guitar strumming slowly and light bass in the verse coupled with Cobain’s sleepy and delicate vocals. The chorus is the magnificent part however where Cobain raises his voice slightly and delivers his best vocal performance of the album. To those people that doubt Cobain’s singing ability just play them this chorus as proof he can. The cello, which enters in the chorus, brings a sad and mournful sound to what was already a depressing song. There is a hidden track about ten minutes after this song finishes but its not really worth waiting for.
Underneath the bridge
Tarp has sprung a leak
And the animals I've trapped
Have all become my pets
And I'm living off of grass
And the drippings from the ceiling
Overall I hardly need to tell you how great this album truly and yet its still not Nirvana’s finest hour. When you get CDs where there isn’t a single bad song on it you know you’re onto something special but to get one like this with songs for every mood and feeling is truly remarkable. We all know the effect the album had on Alternative music and it wouldn’t have been able to do that if it wasn’t as good as it is. If I wanted to be nitpicky I could point out that the production is occasionally overzealous, especially on Smells Like Teen Spirit but that hardly makes any difference at all. I cant find one serious defect with Nevermind and I’ve had it all of my music loving life. And in the end that’s the real stamp of approval I can give this album, that I've had it for so long and yet it still gets a regular playing and more importantly still sounds as good as it did when I first got it. Now if you’ll excuse me I must get back to building my shrine to Dave Grohl…..
***** = Smells Like Teen Spirit, In Bloom, Come As You Are, Breed, Polly, Lounge Act, Stay Away, On A Plain, Something In The Way
**** = Lithium, Territorial P!ssings, Drain You
*** = NONE
** = NONE
* = NONE
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