Review:

on 2011-03-07 CharlesMartel Said:

Hmm, now this is a difficult one. How do I rate an album about teenage angst and rebellion when I am way past being a teenager. Simple, compare it with what I was listening to when I was a teenage rebel. Punk this ain't, but it's in your face and full of attitude. And unlike some punk bands, there are great songs in here which stand on their own merit and not just for what they represent. Sure there are some sloppy moments (Kurt Cobain's increasingly hoarse voice could have done with a rest at times rather than push on), but that should not detract from the status as a classic of its time in terms of its impact on the music which followed.

Does it deserve that status though? Let's get one thing straight at least - this is a good album. There are a good few good songs and a couple of excellent ones - "Smells Like Teen Sprit" and "Come as You Are". The rest of the stuff is OK. Nothing more, nothing less. It may have defined the grunge movement and Cobain's suicide may have propelled the album and the band to iconic status, but it not one of the best albums of all time.

But the problem with so many albums like "Nevermind" is that the hagiography eventually becomes too much. The album takes on a life of its own, totally divorced from the reality of what it is. And that is when the hating starts. In some senses, the hating is just people trying to be hip. But there is often a genuine issue behind it. Imagine you have been repeatedly fed the panegyrics about this album. You will build yourself up with huge expectations and then you listen to it and..well..it's just a rock and roll album by another bunch of long haired kids. The disappointment between the hype and reality must be crushing for some.

But let's not forget that this album owes its iconic status to the fact that it played directly into the mainstream in a way that many contemporaries, such as Sonic Youth did not. Nirvana got in a big name producer after signing for a big label Geffen. The songs are almost all radio-friendly and Cobain clearly set out to write the signature tune for an entire generation when he penned "Smells like Teen Spirit". Even the video was aimed at the generation he was hoping would identify so closely with the music that they'd go and buy it in their droves. And they did. This is not to say that there was no sincerity in Cobain when he wrote it - but he was not being entirely altruistic about it. Nirvana may have hated the music business, but they needed it.

And while we are at it, let's face it, grunge was not what Cobain was trying to do. He did not sit down with this album and say "right, let's start a movement called grunge with this album." What he was playing was what he defined as punk. In that sense the album reflects the spirit of 77 in many ways, but with one subtle difference. The punks of 77 did not just deride the establishment, they sought to change it - and succeeded in many ways. Grunge was simple a clarion call to disaffected youth - yes there are more like you out there. Now go wallow in it.

In short, Nevermind is a good album, but one which has been hyped out of all proportion. Overrated, yes, but that should not be an excuse to knock it down to nothing. When all is said and done, this is good stuff provided you take it for what it is and not what it purports to be. Do that and you'll enjoy it. Expect more and you will end up disappointed.
Rating: 8/10

on 2009-11-24 jackfrost Said:

Nevermind is Nirvana's ultimate legacy...found this rare clip from a promo they were doing for the album...check out the smile on Kurt!
http://www.yeahoyeah.com/video.aspx?id=1084

Not Rated

Review:

on 2009-10-05 Dylan147 Said:

I'm not the biggest Nirvana fan in the world. To be honest if one of their songs came on the radio I'd be inclined to switch the channel. However, when i heard this album it struck me, these guys are good.
The first 5 songs are very hard to flaw. You have the song everybody thinks of when they think of Nirvana, "Smells like teen spirit". Not one of my favourite songs ever but a great album opener nonetheless. "In Bloom" is one of the highlights of the album for me. Great vocals! "come as you are" is another great track and by this point we relise, "god these guys aren't letting up.". The track "polly" brings us back down to earth. a simplistic song which is put to great effect.
From here on in, unfortunately for Nirvana fans, I can't really find anything good to say. Maybe other Nirvana lovers could get some interest out of them but I can Not. The sound is way too fuzzy. and i know that thats what nirvana is all about but give me a break. The track polly showed they had potential to explore music and make great songs. It gave me hope for the band that i was never really fond of. But, unfortunately it seemed Nirvana wanted to keep to the simple, basic, style in hope that their fans would stay loyal. I'm sorry fellows but you just can't be afraid in this business.
Maybe I'm being a bit harsh. Don't get me wrong, the album is a classic, but some of the songs i just feel were thrown in to take up space. A disappointing finish to a great album!
Rating: 6/10