Here We Are Now, Entertain Us

NUMBER TWO


NEVERMIND / Nirvana
1991 / 12 Tracks

I can vividly remember where I was when I first heard "Smells Like Teen Spirit"
and when I heard Kurt Cobain had killed himself. I still conjure up that video
on heavy replay on MTV. This is an album that shapes my musical influences
even today.

The album is complex yet simple, the same way the way the Beatles wrote songs
(Kurt was a HUGE John Lennon fan). This cd single-handedly changed the face of
modern rock, knocking the "King of Pop" from number one and killing Hair Metal.

Starting with the simple guitar-riff of "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and Kurts low grumble of
lyrics "Load Up on Guns and Bring your Friends"... this anthem runs head-first into a wall
while you are on fire. The lyrics pull and seduce you - drawing you into the bridge
of noise and melody. Even as the chords and song fades from your speakers, the remains
of the song that changed everything reverberates your soul for some time to come.

"In Bloom" is at heart a simple pop song, with a catchy riff and melody.

"Come as You Are" is almost chilling and spooky at times. The melodic sense of the tune,
pulls you through the murky water, just like the video for this song. The image of a
gun floating and Kurt singing "And I swear that I don't have a gun" still makes me sad
and sends a chill down my spine.

"Breed", a hard-rocking drum inspired song really showed how hard Dave could hit the drums.

"Lithium" is one of my favorite Nirvana songs. It starts with Kris's bass line, into Dave's
deep drums and Kurt almost talking through the low parts of the song, which amps up and
kicks into the heavy rocking parts of the song.

"Polly" is an acoustic (mainly) song based on a true story of a girl that was abducted
and raped in Tacoma, WA. It is haunting & beautiful.

"Territorial Pissings", a fast-pased rock song just beats and pummels you
while "Drain You" (another rock song) builds you up before it breaks you down.

"Truth covered in security, I can't let you smother me"....
"Lounge Act" is another song close to my being. It is at heart, a relationship song.
It starts off with Kurt groaning into the mic and his signature guitar,
taking you into a gorgeous rock song, ending in him growling and spitting the lyrics at you,
as it fades off.

Which then takes you into Dave's fierce drumming on "Stay Away". If a song could beat you
to a pulp, this would be it.

As the album winds down, so does the songs. "On a Plain" slows it down to a classic pop song
while still rocking. Giving you everything and more.

"Something in the Way" wraps the album beautifully in a bow. Kurt's haunting voice and
strumming guitar, rings through my body and soul.

Even with the success of the Foo Fighters and Dave Grohl, it is obvious that he took a lot from
his time with Kurt and Nirvana. I saw them live twice and wish I had even more memories of them,
but at least I can saw I did see them live. It is weird for me to hear Nirvana on the Classic Rock,
but that is one thing that they will ALWAYS be... Classic.

10 / 10