Thread: Nirvana - GAH Week 12 - 1.28.23

From our old friend Doc Velcro:

Originally Posted by MasterShake

Nirvana was an Earthquake musically, but their longevity and body of work is an issue for me. I think they have just over 100 songs total? And most of them sound like demos or rough cuts (which is cool, but still).

Great band, transformative even. But I don't think I can listen to any of their albums front to back without wanting to skip around like some of the other bands here. For some great insight on this, I'd recommend Dave Grohl's autobiography The Storyteller who really went in to how Nirvana felt influenced by those that came before them as opposed to influencing those that came after (even though they did!).

I'd say they are in the conversation for Top 10 as far as bands go, but top 3 as far as cultural zeitgeist goals rivaling the Beatles.

With some more longevity, style evolution, and staying power I'd consider them more but as it stands they are just a firework that exploded at the right place and right time that we can still smell the gunpowder from.

I agree… but, To use a football analogy… the lack of longevity part of TDs career was the argument to not put him in the HOF… but those that watched him knew he belonged…


For the record I didn’t like them at the time, but have grown to appreciate the impact they had when they smells like teen spirit came out..

Originally Posted by Northman

Meanwhile VH's "Jump" stayed at #1 for 5 weeks.

I would expect if Nirvana stayed intact until their 5th or so album, that many years into their career, near the height of their popularity like VH when 1984 came out, they might do something similar.

Van Halen's debut album performed similar to Nevermind.

I have to award points to Nirvana. I guess?

Originally Posted by Hawgdriver

I would expect if Nirvana stayed intact until their 5th or so album, that many years into their career, near the height of their popularity like VH when 1984 came out, they might do something similar.

Van Halen's debut album performed similar to Nevermind.

I have to award points to Nirvana. I guess?

I suppose it might be the Cobain fame effect that accounts for some of the enduring interest, since Smells Like didn't do better than all the songs above it on the yearly hot 100 list that are long since forgotten.

Two words…. 1.Over 2.Rated

AIC was a much better band in that genre. It sucks that he died the way he did, but I never understood the reverence for Cobain.

Originally Posted by Hawgdriver

I would expect if Nirvana stayed intact until their 5th or so album, that many years into their career, near the height of their popularity like VH when 1984 came out, they might do something similar.

Van Halen's debut album performed similar to Nevermind.

I have to award points to Nirvana. I guess?

Not so sure honestly. I dont think this is about which album at any point in their career. People forget that VH wasnt super big until the song Jump hit the airwaves. Sure, people knew about them but not on the level that 1984 brought. In terms of popularity i would say both 1984 and Nevermind are neck and neck, its just that Jump was probably more enjoyable to people than Smells Like Teen Spirit.

This song is deceptively weird. My band might cover it. In terms of music theory, it's super wonky. Props...

I'm sorta up on Nirvana just rn.

You’re converting, fam. Props to your open mind.

Nirvana changed the musical landscape in much the same way that the Beatles did.

I enjoy both, but I don’t think either is in the conversation for GOAT.

Van Halen was good, in a “I love popular music” sort of way. But they were not transcendent in any way. More like, “I’m a schoolgirl that is infatuated with shiny stuff and VH rocks”, kind of way!

Also, the fact that I just complimented the Beatles makes me want to puke!

I'm curious what you think of Skynyrd and Talking Heads.

Originally Posted by slim

Nirvana changed the musical landscape in much the same way that the Beatles did.

I enjoy both, but I don’t think either is in the conversation for GOAT.

Originally Posted by aberdien

Are you flirting with me?

The Rolling Forks made far better music than the Beatles

Originally Posted by slim

Are you flirting with me?

Well it's certainly not a roll of quarters in my pocket

Originally Posted by aberdien

Well it's certainly not a roll of quarters in my pocket

I hope not!!

A roll of quarters is kinda small!!!