BY: DIGITAL WAX MEDIA STAFF
Released 34 years ago, Nirvana’s Nevermind has become one of the most widely discussed rock albums of the modern age. The thing has become ubiquitous – a sort of Sgt. Pepper or Pet Sounds for Gen X. Nevermind and in fact, Nirvana itself, have become almost more abstractions than tangible musical points of reference – edgy, throwback logos to plaster on t-shirts for members of the Alpha Generation to flaunt despite having no personal understanding of or familiarity with the music in question.
Kurt Cobain was aware of this shift occurring once Nirvana hit the big-time in the early 90s, and was openly critical of this type of cultural commodification. But one would be remiss not to consider that the Nirvana frontman may have leaned into the hype to an extent. After all, the DNA of The Beatles, Aerosmith, and other pop-rock giants was infused in the DNA of his songwriting and, consequently, the output of Nirvana.
Nirvana would release only two proper albums during Cobain’s lifetime. While In Utero would expand the scope of the band’s sonic palette and move into weirder, more aggressive territory, it was somewhat divisive among critics and fans upon its initial release. Critical reappraisal has since been kind with regard to the record, but Nevermind still stands as the most prominent point of reference from the band’s discography and, for many, the crowning jewel of the group’s recorded output. But sifting through mountains of discourse on the album over the past 30-plus years, how does it actually hold up today as a musical body of work?
Despite the accumulated input of many a highfalutin contrarian listener. Nevermind is essentially a perfect rock album by every discernible metric. The heaps of praised unloaded upon the record over decades can make it easy to forget that this things is loaded top-to-bottom with genuinely great songs. Those who were able to experience era-defining single and opening cut “Smells Like Teen Spirit” in real time when it first landed, or in a vacuum outside the context of its massive success, are able to attest to the infectious brutality and emotional resonance of the song. The song’s impact today has been diluted significantly by what seems like lifetimes of overexposure. But the track arguably did warrant all the world-building which would subsequently occur around it upon release.
This manic energy and controlled chaos sensibility are maintained through much of the record. Though a few detours into more understated acoustic territory provide a balance that gives an album a greater dimension – contributing notably to its overall range and eventual shelf life. Tracks like “Polly” and, even more so, “Something in the Way,” peeled back the curtain for listeners. Here, the gentle and haunted side of Cobain came to light, allowing fans to begin crafting an internal perception of the musician outside the punk/noise rock influences he wore so proudly on his sleeve.
In many ways and for many listeners, that’s what Nevermind was about – discovering Kurt Cobain. It would also be bassist Krist Novoselic’s debut on the mainstream stage, as well as the public’s official introduction to one Dave Grohl. But the public would rightfully become fascinated with Kurt Cobain. Much like “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” Cobain and Nirvana as a whole have become more of an abstract idea in the cultural lexicon. But at one point, Cobain was just another musician on his way up. The significance of witnessing the ascent of an artist operating at that level truly cannot be overstated.
The hero worship from fans would weigh heavy on the guitarist as the band exploded in popularity. Much like John Lennon before him, he would come to detest his celebrity status and would take shots at his most popular work whenever possible. Such was the case with Nevermind, which was picked apart by Cobain himself due in part to the production of Butch Vig. Make no mistake, the production of the album more than holds up today. In fact, it’s a huge asset in keeping the record relevant today.
But many a super-fan to this day will parrot Cobain’s critiques as though there was a chance the legend could smile in approval, put his arm around them, and become best pals with them. These types tend to point to 1993’s In Utero as the superior project due to its raw and intense recording/production style. While there is much to praise about the album, anyone claiming it tops Nevermind in terms of quality is either engaging in a pretentious facade or operating within a distinct minority. Few, if any records from this era begin to approach the quality of Nevermind, and this includes Nirvana’s own recorded output.
Some have pointed out that the layered guitars, on-pitch vocals, and loose sense of structure invalidate the album in that it isn’t representative of the band as a live act. But the thing is, studio albums aren’t necessarily supposed to be accurate representations of groups in a live setting. That’s what live albums are for. Framing is important. Many artistic types tend to believe that if you’re true to yourself and completely authentic, everything else will fall into place. This is generally not the case. That authenticity is usually a very important piece of the puzzle. Often it’s the most important piece of the puzzle. But having a sense of intention and discernible vision are what give shape to the artistry at hand. A good producer will fill that role effectively. A poor producer will get in the way.
At just under 45 minutes and in a blistering whirlwind of screams, wailing guitars, and thrashing drums, Nevermind comes and goes like a bull efficiently wrecking a china shop and heading off to its next engagement. If ever you’re unsure of the album’s merits, this writer would recommend you step past the idea of Nirvana, slap on some headphones, and step into Nirvana. Nevermind is a snapshot of one of America’s most important bands at the height of its powers, and still serves as a validation of most every accolade thrown in the direction of the reluctant hero in this story.
Photo: Nirvana Nevermind Album Artwork – Fair Use
Digital Wax 