Here's the deal, I did not wanna have to write this - for a few reasons. Largely because, to me, for what it's worth I think Nevermind is perfect. If there is such a thing as perfection, this is it. The lyrics, the riffs, the hidden meanings, the not-so-hidden meanings, the sub-texts, the controversial (and hugely iconic) album artwork, the music videos... It all works on a level so beyond anything my mediocreness can even begin to work out. I planned to celebrate it's 20th birthday by listening to it, as always, in my bedroom.
But (and isn't there always a but) today I cracked. Crumbled. I read some horrific and insincere 'tributes' to Nirvana and their beautiful masterpiece, and decided that since I have been neglecting this blog like a bad mother now was the time to make my return.
So here it is, my heartfelt and honest homage to the greatest album ever made...
Nirvana have an energy that projects beyond our eyes, beyond our ears and beyond our minds to the fabric of our very being and the fibres of our very souls. Kurt Cobain was brutally honest. He connected with his audience on a much deeper level than just rambunctiousness. He captivated audiences far wider spread than just grunge fans from rainy 'ole Seattle.
Twenty years ago 'Nevermind' was thrust upon the world. It features perhaps the most iconic and well known of Nirvana's songs 'Smells like teen spirit', but each and every one of the twelve tracks were as important as one another in stringing together a true masterpiece:
Smells Like Teen Spirit: A song (and video) that changed rock, and music, forever - a Grunge anthem, and perhaps Nirvana's most famous song. (Is there anyone out there who hasn't listened to this song at least one growing up?)
In Bloom: Everyone I've ever spoken to has their own interpretation of these lyrics, but for the record I like to think that this is Kurt's view of the Human race, and their attitude towards music. "He’s the one who likes all our pretty songs, and he likes to sing along and he likes to shoot his gun but he knows not what it means"
Come As You Are: A powerful celebration of being an outcast, an open-armed embrace calling all us outsiders, an invitation to those left in the corner at the party or those without 'a date to no school dance'. One of the most beautifully understated songs you will ever hear.
Breed: A ragged, full-throttle explosion of heavy riffs and aggressive vocals that spit venom from speakers all over the world.
Lithium: This song is an exploration of various things including Religion, and the anti-depressant drug Lithium. The lyrics are empowering and the riffs are instantly recognisable.
Polly: This song was written about a 14 year old girl who was kidnapped, tortured and raped after a concert in 1987 (she later escaped and her kidnapper was soon jailed). Unsurprisingly It's a dark, and deep acoustic song but is a further insight into Cobain's big heart as he lays his emotion bare for all of us to hear.
Territorial Pissings: A heavier track armed with impressive lyrics and quick, genius drumming from Dave Grohl. Nirvana closed their headline set at Reading in '92 with this number, and needless to say the crowd lost their minds...
Drain You: An perfectly understated showcase of Cobain's coarse, gritty vocal range with classic grunge-rock hooks and riffs. In my humble opinion, their most underated song.
Lounge Act: A clear demonstration of Krist Novoselic's phenomenal bass-playing skills. It's easy to get caught up in Kurt hysteria when thinking about Nirvana but this track is all about 6ft7 of pure talent shredding some filthy basslines like it's nobody's business.
Stay Away: "Rather be dead than cool." Fast-paced bass, take no prisoners drumming, and have summa that vocals come together to create a beautiful gem of a song.
On A Plain: This is what grunge should sound like. End of.
Something in the way: Slow, raw and honest - the last song on the album highlights the beautiful simplicity of Cobain's voice and the emotional narrative of the lyrics is enough to bring a tear even to eyes of stone.
Cobain used his volatile genius to lash out on society's warped values and himself with fearless ambition. It sparked a new direction for the band as they turned their back on the explosive and aggressive days of 'In Utero'. They offered on a plate to the world an album bursting with originality and variety. Nirvana cemented themselves as not simply grunge icons, but musical heroes that would live forever with Nevermind.
For me, this album is not just 12 songs, it is a sonic experience that engulfs each one of your senses. The lyrics are beautiful, meaningful, poignant, and enlightening. Getting lost in the music of these 12 perfectly penned tracks is a gorgeously indulgent way to spend your time.
I have a lot of 'favourite' albums, and albums that I love listening to time and time again but very few will ever hold a place in my heart quite like this. I can't predict the future, but I can be quite sure that there will never again be an album that will be as important to me as this.
I hope everyone reading this gets a chance to break away from the madness of life
for an hour and listen to this one-off diamond in the rough.
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