I hope I’m writing in the right thread, about the right music and the right things..... That’s because other posts compelled me to think otherwise!!! I intend no offence to The Kurt Cobain fans, for I think that he was definitely one of the cult figures Who redefined the music scene in 1990’s.
But the review is not about Kurt or about his Grainy, indifferent and haunting vocals, it’s about a particular compilation of songs (Which otherwise would not have been complete without Dave Grohl’s drumming and Silken-smooth bass of Krist Novolesic).
This was one of the first Nirvana albums I Listened and to date remains one of my favorite..... Nirvana music (Its ’Grunge’ rock, As I’m told it is called), is a heady mixture of loudness and melody - while some of the Songs go beyond the decibels level, others are amazingly quiet and melodious.
*1) You Know you’re Right (3:38)** - This is the last official song recorded by the Band (source:Wikipedia), needless to say the song lives up to its expectation. The Most unusual feature of the song is the unusual range of vocal rendered by Kurt - Ranging from slow, medium-pitched to high-pitched. While Kurt starts off with a slow Almost timid and whining sound, he finishes with a high crescendo of paiiiiiiiiinnn, what you would witness is perhaps is eclectic chords lent by the Guitarists. This is definitely a vintage grunge and vintage Nirvana.
*2) About a Girl (2:49 )** - Characterized by regular riffs this is a typical and more rythmatic of Nirvana songs, very regular guitar sounds (a touch to harsh, after all it is Grunge!!!!!). This definitely being one of the ’Nicer’ Nirvana songs (FYI - So much for Cobain and his love for punk rock, he was a huge beatles fan). The song, as it is Rumored, is based of Kurt’s girlfriend and is very autobiographic.
*3) Been a Son (2:23)** - Again a very regular Nirvana with very fast drumming by Grohl. This, in my opinion has been a stand apart in Nivana’s music, the drumming has been Short and very fast (Heavy metal being a bit more rythmic and thrash definately being More harder). I think Dave has been the unsung hero for lot of Nirvana’s songs.
*4) Sliver (2:14)** - Autobiographical. Loud and a bit depressing. It is said that Kurt’s Parents used to drop him to his grandmother’s place. This song describes his angst And rebellion then. However there’s no certainty to this story. Drumming steals the show again.
*5) Smells Like Teen Spirit (5:01)** - To a rock music enthusiast, this song needs Introduction - fabulous riffs, watery bass and explosive drumming, the song has it all. Touted as a song for generation-x ’Smells like Teen Spirit’ (or SLTS as it is known as) Was a chartbuster which even went on to displace Michael Jackson from its top Position. Characterized by typical non-coherent and mumbling lyrics, the song may not be a poet’s dream but is a headbanger’s paradiso !!!!
*6) Come as You Are (3:39)** - Coming from the same album as SLTS, the song has made A mark of its own, what stuck me by when first time I heard this song was the sheer Contradiction in it (’Come as a trend, as a friend, as a known enemy...’). The middle Bass piece is flowing and fabulous. If you happen to visit Aberdeen (in USA, near Washington DC, it’s the town where Kurt grew up) you’ll see a board in honor of Kurt Which says "Welcome to Aberdeen - Come as You Are".
*7) Lithium (4:17), In Bloom (4:15 )** - Kind of ’Ho-hum’ Nirvana songs (strictly personal Opinion), hummable but not memorable. Very regular in sound.
*8) Heart-Shaped Box (4:41), Pennyroyal Tea (3:38) **- Heart-shaped box was one of The last Nirvana songs quite set apart by Kurt’s vocals - one of the amazing strength Kurt had was the range of his vocals, Pennyroyal tea is one of my favorite Nirvana Tracks, however I like the MTV unplugged version more - both the songs add a very Different dimension to the Nirvana music.
*9) Rape Me (2:51 ) , Dumb(2:34 )** - Rape me appears on the ’B’ side of the album (I Listened it a long time back), the song actually comes as a shock in, what is a usual Very quite and rhythmic Nirvana numbers, high pitched vocals and drumming are the ones’ to look out for. Dumb is again a soft number talking about drugs and their Effects-nice and hummable.
*10) All Apologies (3:51), the Man Who Sold the World (Original by David Bowie, 3:47), Where Did You Sleep Last Night (Unplugged, 5:08) **-
All apologies is again a memorable Nirvana track - soft, apologetic and a little amusing, The song has got quite a depressing feel to it, but somewhere it touches a chord.
When I heard the Man who sold the world for the first time, I said to me "This is The most painfully brilliant guitaring I’ve ever heard", originally by David Bowie (which I’ve not heard) Kurt has rendered a unique indifference and voice to it. Before starting this song in the MTV unplugged album Kurt says "I guarantee you, I’ll screw this up" - How Ironic!!!
The last track in the album is not a vintage Nirvana but a rather different side of the Band, the song is again powered by Kurt’s vocals and rhythm guitar.
As I look to sign off I’m falling short of words for the band and for the music, i’ll just Sign off with afew lines from SLTS **"I’m worse at what I do best and for this gift I feel blessed" **.
Bless you Kurt Cobain , Bless you Nirvana.