(In reviewing music, I try to give each album the best chance to impress by making sure I'm in the required mood to properly appreciate it. Therefore, as I write this, I have forced myself into channelling a teenager who's pissed off with the whole world!)
Really, though, grunge isn't my thing, since I often get a defeatist vibe from it. Therefore, songs like You Know You're Right and Been a Son don't appeal to me. And the story of Silver just sounds like a spoiled brat to me. Another thing working against the appeal of this album is Nirvana: Unplugged, because I much prefer Unplugged's simpler and rawer versions of About a Girl, Come As You Are, Pennyroyal Tea and Dumb.
Enough moaning, now for the good stuff. Years later, Smells Like Teen Spirit is as awesome as ever. There is nothing left to say about this song and it deserves all the praise.
In my book, Lithium achieves similar greatness. The lyrics and headbanging energy are great, however for me the highlight is the incredible second half of the extended chorus. Catchy and very emotive.
A quick word about the recording quality. Or rather, some ponderings. I realise that a "dirty" garage-band sound goes with the grunge territory, but does this excuse the many recording flaws (eg tinny cymbals, indistinct cheese-cutter guitar, muddy vocals)? Would a higher quality recording improve the songs, or is the imperfect sound a part of the experience?? <puts on flame suit...>
I am probably one of the people about whom In Bloom was written. Despite this, ironically I really enjoy its catchiness and the headbanging chorus! Which probably sums up my relationship with grunge music, unfortunately.
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