When Nirvana were being hailed as the greatest band in the world I was four years old, and not into much apart from the Rugrats. Little did I know that they were tearing the world apart, revolutionizing the music scene and selling 10 million copies of their second album Stateside. It's not hard to see why this album is often hailed as the greatest album ever. It's not my favourite album ever - nothing will ever topple Alanis' "Jagged Little Pill" - but it's up there high on my list.

The album opens with the masterpiece "Smells Like Teen Spirit." This is one of the most popular songs of all time, and it's not hard to see why. Everyone knows this song. No matter how you live your life or what backgrounds you come from, you WILL have heard this. The guitars are masterful, and Kurt's screeching vocals reflect his tumultuous state of mind and his tortured soul. "In Bloom" is a great rock-pop anthem, with a deep and catchy bass. The lyrics are simple and the chorus is just anthemic. Kurt sings about a guy who likes all his pretty songs. He likes to sing along and all that, but he doesn't know what it means. He's a crowd-follower, which Nirvana certainly gathered many of, not under their control. "Come As You Are" is one of my favourites on the album. The deep bass that opens the song is so famous, and the vocal arrangement is very melodic. It's just a song about being who you are. Keeping it real and living your life as you.

"Breed" is another one of my favourites. The guitars on this are just so awesome, and the verses are excellent. The lyrics come in short swift strokes, and repetition is used to maximum effect. The chorus is fabulous and Kurt's vocals are just so majestic. "Lithium" is a favourite amongst many, but I myself am not that keen. Sure, it's a brilliant song, but compared to the others on offer here, it doesn't live up. "Polly" is the most simple song on the album. The four-note lyric style is reflected throughout the entire song, which adds this simplicity to it, along with the simple guitar. The subject-matter is more than disturbing though. "Territorial Pissings" is another highlight. With a really funny opening, the beat comes in loud and hard. After the 16th second of the first minute is passed, the beat really drives in. It wedges into your brain, until Kurt's shocking vocal display at the end. He's almost screeching in pain and torture.

"Drain You" is probably my favourite unreleased song from the album. I think the lyrics, in part, are just vile. Listen to them and you'll see what I mean. However, the chorus is brilliant, and the verses have rocking guitars. The best part of the song comes after the second chorus, though, when the spooky scary bit kicks in and Kurt's voice echoes the word "You..." The guitars are awesome on here. "Lounge Act" is a brilliant but short song with a subdued first chorus, which then is repeated again in such a loud and screaming manner. It's brilliant. "Stay Away" has some really wicked guitars and the lyrics are sung so fast. I love the chorus. Everything about this song is perfect. "On A Plain" is another really good song. Kurt's background vocals are really good, and the beat sounds tampered with at the beginning. "Something In The Way" is the perfect album closer. It's the slowest song on the album, and is almost peaceful. The guitars are full of sorrow and Kurt's voice is on top form once more. Nothing bad about it.

OVERALL GRADE: 10/10

There aren't many albums that I can listen to where I love the songs on the first listen, but Nevermind is definitely one of them. It's also an album with not one bad song on it. Some people have criticised this album, and I can't see why. Once a band experiences success and sell a few million copies, the 'cool' underground dudes have to rip it apart. Just because they like to be unique and all that. Forget all that. Listen to this masterpiece album. It changed so many people's lives, and it's not hard to see why. I'm reading "Heaven And Hell" at the moment, and it's a wonderful biography on Kurt's life. I'm really relating to the way her felt sometimes and I already look up to him for his music. Tragically, he would be gone just less three years after the release of this album. Buy it, listen to it, worship it.


Accept it or not, it molded the 90's   October 3, 2002
 25 out of 26 found this review helpful

Nirvana's Nevermind sounds so cliche and overplayed today because a million and one bands have ripped off their innovative sound that molded grunge and rock music for the better. The musicianship of the album isn't complicated for the mostpart, as "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and "Come As You Are" are typical songs for the early guitarist, but the song writing and arrangements are so well done that the need for anything profound and complex is immediately thrown out. Nirvana was a band who were great at what they did, needing only their honesty and emotion to get them across, not flashy 80's solos and glam attire.

Kurt Cobain's guitar work, as stated, was not complex, but was interesting, new, innovative, creative, and original, as he was one of the first artists to begin using the rhythm guitar to lead the melody without the choppy leads of 80's hair metal. His chord progressions are simple and basic for a large portion of the album, but throughout the entire recording his technique stays true to form, using original flowing riffs to carry the song when he does use his instrument as a lead. Kurt Cobain's guitar style has essentially motivated and shaped how the instrument has been used since 1991 and almost all of rock's song writing processes today. In equal impressiveness alongside his guitar skill are Cobain's lyrics and his vocal stylings, which always have an underwritten sense of urgency and need in them, supporting the hurt heard in his voice. Although he did not possess one of the greatest voices in music, and still does not, he used his singing well with the music, fitting the musicianship and instrumentation perfectly.

Chris Novoselic's bass lines are upbeat, catchy, and just as sincere as Kurt's guitar playing, his instrument carrying a melody all of its own instead of just following the bass drum and staying in the background, once again breaking away from the rock and metal stylings of the previous decade. Truly standout. Alongside him on the rhythm is Dave Grohl, who should've stuck with the drums instead of moving onto fronting the Foo Fighters in later years and taking up guitar duties. His drumming is solid and top notch on Nevermind, showing him at his best on the instrument he shines with.

Standout tracks in addition to the first six, all of which were hit singles, are "On A Plain" and "Something In The Way"'s acoustic strummings. One of the greatest albums of the 90's. You may think Nirvana is getting a bit old now and the sound too cliche, but try to listen from a perspective when all this was new to the scene and you will feel the truly groundbreaking effect on you it was meant to have.


A Classic   April 3, 2005
 23 out of 27 found this review helpful

There isn't all that much new that you can say about Nirvana's "Nevermind" that hasn't already been said. So this review is more like a review/essay.

The hype and mystique surrounding this album is all true. It did change the face of rock, and along with Pearl Jam's "Ten" was the songbook that most popular 90s bands borrowed from.

So much has been written about Kurt Cobain, his life, his suicide, Courtney, Courtney/Grohl feud, etc., that's it's easy to forget what all started the hype in the first place. Nirvana's "Nevermind" is undoubtedly one of the greatest rock albums of-all-time. From the classic intro of "Smells Like Teen Spirit," to the subdued closing "Something In the Way," every song is both instantly memorable and brilliant. There isn't a single bad song on this disc. "Nevermind" is like a greatest hits in of itself.

What made this album so great was that the music was punk, but also had a pop-sensibility with infectious hooks and killer riffs. In this sense, you kind of get the best of both worlds--the raw anger and energy of Black Flag, and The Dead Kennedy's, but also the melody and harmony of The Beatles.

If you were born shortly before or after the death of Kurt Cobain, it's hard to imagine how revolutionary this CD was. When "Nevermind" exploded, it drew the line in rock. Bands that were otherwise obscure (Mudhoney, L7, Screaming Trees) were signed to major labels and enjoyed radio-play. Alternative bands that had been around for a few years that were already signed (Soundgarden, Smashing Pumpkins, Alice In Chains) became huge overnight. The early 90s was a really exciting time in rock. Radio had been infested with the likes of Slaughter and Trixter, and, for a while, everything was new and fresh.

The only real drawback for me is that the revolution of "Nevermind" made people close minded about bands they had only just recently loved. Although it is a blessing that some of these bands were shown the door, i.e., Slaughter, a lot of good bands were discarded and trashed rightfully or not. "Nevermind" was certainly the death nail to all old-school rock. Most of these bands were killed overnight.

In conclusion, fourteen years after its release, "Nevermind" often emulated, never duplicated, is still one of the best albums of all-time and belongs in every rock collection.





Cheese   November 5, 2002
 22 out of 53 found this review helpful

That's exactly what this album is. A lot of people think it was Korn, but Nirvana were the true founders of this nu metal teen angst garbage. Just read the lyrics and you'll see what I mean. People regard Kurt Cobain as a genius? Judging by his performance he knows about three chords. Quit praising Nirvana. Grunge is dead and lets hope it stays that way. And go ahead and click the unhelpful button. I don't care what you think.