Awesome Albums – Nevermind (Remastered) by Nirvana

The American rock band was formed in 1987 by Kurt Cobain and Krist Novoselic. Active between 1987 and 1994, starting originally in Seattle, Washington as part of the grunge scene, they soon became a global hit. The band went through numerous line-ups and temporary additions (especially drummers), the only two constant members were Cobain and Novoselic; however, the final line-up was Cobain, Novoselic and Foo Fighter legend Dave Grohl. I’ve seen backlash against Nirvana recently, that they were overrated. I disagree. The thing is music is subjective and not liking a band is OK. Something that is more objectively true though, is that Nirvana managed to make an incredible splash in the industry with ripples felt to this day. Something not many musicians manage to achieve. For me, Nevermind by Nirvana is an astonishingly album, which (like all their albums) deserves all the love it gets and more.

Nevermind

Nirvana’s second studio album, Nevermind was recorded between April 1990 and June 1991 before being released September 24^th 1991. This was the first album to feature Grohl as the drummer. Nevermind was famously developed with a music firsthand lyrics second approach, with much of the vocal elements not defined until late into the album’s development.

Nevermind famously took Michael Jackson off of the charts and saw a rapid decline in popularity of the hair metal bands that so dominated the 80’s music scene. More importantly though, Nirvana’s second studio album is the one that inspired a sound and generations of bands to come decades after.

I have fond memories of just chilling out listening to Nevermind with my dad. It’s also one of the first albums he got me as a present.

Smells Like Teen Spirit

I’m worse at what I do best
And for this gift I feel blessed
Our little group has always been
And always will until the end

The opening track was a surprise hit for the band and remains their biggest hit in a lot countries.

The guitar riff at the start is one of the most iconic and memorable I can think of and it leads fantastically into Cobain’s haunting vocals. The beat is steady and consistent whilst the volume shifts. Plus, the effects give the song an almost eerie quality.

It’s easy to see why the song was a critical and commercial success.

In Bloom

And I say 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

There is something satisfying in the knowledge that Bloom addresses people outside of the underground music scene who didn’t get the band’s message.

Part of the fun of art in any form is that people come away from it with their own views and take aways. However, Cobain often struggled with the misconstrued messages and using his music for an outlet for that seemed the logical and satisfying approach.

The song is pretty poppy with a catchy melody.

Come as You Are

Come as you are, as you were
As I want you to be
As a friend, as a friend
As a known enemy

The third track on Nevermind and their second single from the album is Come as You Are. The three-and-a-half-minute song features an aquatic sounding tone, guided by a heavy rock tempo and excellent use of varying volume and dynamics.

Breed

Even if you have
Even if you need
I don’t mean to stare
We don’t have to breed
We can plant a house
We can build a tree
I don’t even care
We could have all three

Arguably, this is Nirvana channelling some of their punk energy. Heavy with base, drums and guitar feedback; Breed is meant to be listened to loud to be appreciated in all its glory. The track is full of energy, even if it isn’t the deepest song lyrically.

Lithium

I’m so lonely but that’s okay I shaved my head
And I’m not sad
And just maybe I’m to blame for all I’ve heard
But I’m not sure
I’m so excited, I can’t wait to meet you there
But I don’t care
I’m so horny but that’s okay
My will is good
Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah

Lithium has a very angsty and rebellious vibe. The song is one (of many) reasons that Nirvana hits hard at a particular stage of life or when in a low place and why Nevermind is remembered so fondly through to later years.

This is a track that covers those confused and mixed feelings perfectly with the iconic sound that the band does best.

Polly

It isn’t me
We have some seed
Let me clip
Your dirty wings
Let me take a ride
Don’t cut yourself
I want some help
To please myself
I’ve got some rope
You have been told
I promise you
I have been true

Something about Nirvana and Cobain specifically that gets pointed out sometimes (though not nearly enough) is an awareness for gender inequality and sexual abuse. This is reflected in interviews and in a couple of songs.

Arguably the darkest track on the album, Polly is supposedly inspired by the abduction and abuse of a young girl in the late 80’s.

Territorial Pissings

When I was an alien
Cultures weren’t opinions

Gotta find a way
To find a way
When I’m there
Gotta find a way
A better way
I had better wait

Never met a wise man
If so it’s a woman

Another anthem for rebellion, it’s a loud and powerful song that goes all out pretty fast. Territorial Pissings was never one of my favourites but the seventh track has always felt a strong tonal shifting from Polly and an excellent song if you’re looking for release from all that angst.

Drain You

With eyes so dilated, I’ve became your pupil
You’ve taught me everything without a poison apple
The water is so yellow
I’m a healthy student
Indebted and so grateful

Drain You is a pretty evocative and heavy song. The lyrics are delivered with a haunting quality, as does the distortion on the guitar.

Lounge Act

Don’t tell me what I wanna hear
Afraid of never knowing fear
Experience anything you need

Lounge Act is a much more traditional, direct song, that clearly comes from a troubled time and a troubled place.

Stay Away

Monkey see, monkey do
(I don’t know why)
Rather be dead than cool
(I don’t know why)
Every line ends in rhyme
(I don’t know why)
Less is more, love is blind
(I don’t know why)

Another punk sounding powerhouse delivered by Nirvana and one of my favourite tracks from Nevermind. The tune and drum work are incredibly memorable in this one.

On a Plain

I’ll start this off
Without any words
I got so high that
I scratched ’til I bled

Released as a promo single in the summer of ’92, On a Plain is one of the albums more popular tracks, the track is one of many that Cobain threw together from bits and pieces of old poetry. A reason he attributes to some of his song not containing typical thematic structure.

Something in the Way

Underneath the bridge
The tarp has sprung a leak
And the animals I’ve trapped
Have all become my pets
And I’m living off of grass
And the drippings from the ceiling

If we don’t include the secret track, then Something in the Way is the final song on the album. However, we do. So, it isn’t.

The penultimate track, Something in the Way is a softer and gentler song in some ways and was recorded with a guitar slightly out of tune. Many rumours have floated about that the song was autobiographical in nature but Cobain himself confirmed it was a fantasy narrative.

Endless, Nameless

Hear me, see me, think I can, sigh man
Here I am, here I am, here I am

There’s a level of shrill to the final track. It’s all in, intense, loud and somehow less predictable than the other songs on the album; not for everyone, I get why some would fail to see this as an awesome end to Nevermind and perhaps the weakest track on any of their albums. However, despite not being my favourite, I think there is something to be said for just going wild and letting loose an audio assault. Experimentation is the essence of art, after all.

Final Thoughts

My Awesome Albums series is about exploring the joy of music; whilst I don’t think joy is a trait many would associate with Nirvana or Nevermind, there is happiness to be found in exploring the thirteen tracks therein.

The joy in Nirvana, doesn’t come from the lyrics or even the sound. In fact, if you focus solely on these things, it is easy to feel lost, angsty, rebellious, sad or even angry.

No.

The joy is to be found in the inspiration, technical experimentation, understanding of the disenfranchised, expertly implemented melodies and sheer appreciation to be had for Nevermind. It’s a snapshot of their history, music’s history, and transports back to another time and place.

What Nirvana did with Nevermind is nothing short of amazing; they defined a period and inspired generations.