Nevermind's 20th Anniversary

[shogun]

When Nevermind exploded into earshot in the autumn of 1991, it was startling: a grenade detonating in your car radio. It sounded like the end of something (the 1980s? hair metal?), or maybe the beginning of something ("alternative rock"? "Generation X"?). Today, the album has become so encrusted with myth, that it's hard to wrap your ears around it, to really hear it. In 2005, the Library of Congress added Nevermind to its roll call of the world's most significant recordings. It's a museum piece, a record that merits a display in the Smithsonian. And, of course, a doorstopper 20th-anniversary box set.

How you choose to mark the occasion will depend on the state of your stock portfolio, and the degree of your wonkiness. The Deluxe Edition augments the remastered LP with fantastic B sides (check "Curmudgeon," featuring the howlingest metal- dude vocal Kurt Cobain ever recorded) and stupefying live performances; plus demos, previously unreleased BBC sessions and eight cruddy-vérité "boombox rehearsals" of Nevermind tracks. Fork out an extra $100-plus for the Super Deluxe Edition and you get all that, plus a version of Nevermind mixed by Butch Vig, before Andy Wallace was brought in for the final mix, a CD and DVD of a mind-blowing 1991concert at Seattle's Paramount Theatre, and a 90-page book.

The extras offer history lessons – and help you hear Nevermind with fresh ears. The live versions of "Breed" and "Drain You" show why Nirvana may be the greatest power trio ever: The heave and thrust of Krist Novoselic's bass, the Bonhamworthy attack of Dave Grohl's drums, the tumult of Cobain's singing, which proved screaming yourself hoarse could be as powerful, and as beautiful, as any vocal style. Compare the boombox demos with the finished LP – where Cobain's songs were burnished to a fiery glow – and you realize it was pop, not punk, that turned Nirvana into the biggest band on Earth. As works of melodic craftsmanship, "Smells Like Teen Spirit," "Lithium" and "Lounge Act" are up there with the best of Buddy Holly, Smokey Robinson and other genius hook masters.

Twenty years on, Nevermind is everywhere: Its loud-quiet-loud dynamics even power hits by Kelly Clarkson, Taylor Swift and Katy Perry. The lasting impact on mainstream bubblegum is ironic, considering its big theme: the ambivalence of an independent band going for the brass ring. Just listen to the dripping disdain of Cobain's most famous refrain: "Here we are now, entertain us."

Cobain claimed to be embarrassed by Nevermind's glossy production: "It's closer to a Mötley Crüe record than it is a punk-rock record," he said. Of course, that's what you expect him to say. His punk purism was a religion, but it was also a shtick, his version of showbiz. Listening to Nevermind now, you marvel at what a good show the band puts on. For a record so full of angst, it's quite a party – an adrenaline rush that sweeps you up. That's not a feeling you can pin to any genre or ideology. That's not punk or grunge or even pop. That's entertainment.

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/album ... y-20110927

[pioneer]

water must of been cold?

[Bizzare]

not sure if 1inch

[rollingstock]

*subscribes*

[DFC]

who is kurt cobain?

[S_2NR]

who??

[Trini Hookah]

[BrotherHood]

Eh?

[VexXx Dogg]

smells_like_teen_spirit.mp3 was the first mp3 i ever downloaded..

[crazybalhead]

Feeling old. Remember when they first showed the vid on noise bazaar late a saturday night. Yeah beyotches, when we only had two chee tv station.

[cinco]

wanna see it now?

[wagonrunner]

Feeling old. Remember when they first showed the vid on noise bazaar late a saturday night. Yeah beyotches, when we only had two chee tv station.

[Dizzy28]

Big big album..big big band.

[rfari]

*subscribes*

very very very big chune. reminds me of the good ole days in hillview

[AllTrac]

*subscribes*

very very very big chune. reminds me of the good ole days in hillview

wah kindda simi dimi rasta you is dred?

[rfari]

nah much i could do jed. when in rome....

[dougla_boy]

*subscribes*

very very very big chune. reminds me of the good ole days in hillview

wtf???? u ah rasta in chu bai? ah swear trac was rite....yuh izza chemical dan......

[rfari]

doh study alltrac unno. since he cyar get me ban again, he trying to get me arrested

[dougla_boy]

doh study alltrac unno. since he cyar get me ban again, he trying to get me arrested

ah tink yuh deserve dat rub down and feel balls wit a gun yes.... lolol.....yuh need to change yuh name and put chemical in front it... LOL

[AllTrac]

boy i tell allyuh rfari is a chemical long time, i done talk to ASP Mohan about rfari being suspect, he is being investigated.

[dougla_boy]

boy i tell allyuh rfari is a chemical long time, i done talk to ASP Mohan about rfari being suspect, he is being investigated.

but rfari one is one, strength and powers.........

[Hook]

Feeling old. Remember when they first showed the vid on noise bazaar late a saturday night. Yeah beyotches, when we only had two chee tv station.

yeah, I remember hearing them and thinking "WAAAAAAAAY!!! DAT REEAAAL CORK BREDSSSS!!!!"...and then I figured they'd play it on the radio a lot anyway, so I bought the "Cowboys From Hell" album from Pantera instead...have never actually purchased a Nirvana CD

[AllTrac]

i napstered that sheit.

[crazybalhead]

Feeling old. Remember when they first showed the vid on noise bazaar late a saturday night. Yeah beyotches, when we only had two chee tv station.

yeah, I remember hearing them and thinking "WAAAAAAAAY!!! DAT REEAAAL CORK BREDSSSS!!!!"...and then I figured they'd play it on the radio a lot anyway, so I bought the "Cowboys From Hell" album from Pantera instead...have never actually purchased a Nirvana CD

I didn't think they would EVER play that on the radio. That and other undeard of artists, like Sarah McLachlan, Enya, and others. That show used to have 90% sheit and a few gems thrown in.

[Hook]

i napstered that sheit.

I audiogalaxied that sheit Lars Ulrich ain't got nuthin' on me

[AllTrac]

i napstered that sheit.

I audiogalaxied that sheit

woah.... epic flash back, waiting for porn.jpg to load, by the time the jpg reach tits, dialup modem disconnected.

[ibanez]

[quote="crazybalhead"]Feeling old. Remember when they first showed the vid on noise bazaar late a saturday night. Yeah beyotches, when we only had two chee tv station.[/quote]

used to look at Noise Bazaar and Left of the Dial,

saw bands like Helmet, Ministry, Sheep on Drugs (remember their track Tom takes the toilet to Tinseltown)

there was another program in the day, think it was part of Mor Music, saw bands like At the Drive In, Rem etc.

[ibanez]

Soundgarden and Alice in Chains were way better than Nirvana.

[RBphoto]

Nirvana, RHCP, Smashing pumpkins, Bob Marley..... First four Artiste Casettes I ever bought (Original).... CD was premium back then.

[cincuanta]

i napstered that sheit.

I audiogalaxied that sheit Lars Ulrich ain't got nuthin' on me

ROFL real men showing they age here boy. I audiogalaxied it also...that and Lars dem sheit..And justice for all.