“Nothing was ever the same after Nevermind”
Nirvana’s second studio album is quite honestly a masterpiece. The Album is one of few to have a near perfect track list where every song could be a single. Bands of the time like Rage Against the Machine, Primus, and Alice in Chains wouldn’t have seen mainstream success if it weren’t for Nevermind. The Nevermind era (1990-1991) consists of a much more refined lineup. Dave Grohl replaces Chad Channing, Jason Everman is no longer with the Nirvana crew going on to join Soundgarden. Krist and Kurt remain in their original spots as bassist and lead guitarist. A new producer appears in Butch Vig whose musical accolades is as large his talent. He prior to Nirvana produced the Pixies, The Smashing Pumpkins, and Sonic Youth. So Vig, the ever-experienced hit maker, would hit the studio in late 1990 and early 1991 to start production of Nevermind.
Nirvana at the time had just been bought out of Sub-Pop by Geffen Records who footed the bill on Nevermind. Which came with a much cleaner sound design unlike the noisy harsh tones of bleach. Drummer Dave Grohl delivers a very powerful performance a lot of Nevermind had Chad Channing demos especially for “Lithium”, “In Bloom” and “Breed”. Dave uses his unique strength and ability to stay on time to play some incredible drum parts which will be greatly appreciated throughout this post. More noticeably is the improved playing of Krist and Kurt, their evolution as guitarists as well as writers in only a couple of years from the last major release is really special and shouldn’t go unnoticed.
The lead off track “Smells Like Teen Spirit’ is the basic Nirvana song everyone has heard and if they haven’t stopped being friends with them. Also get used to me saying overdub a lot throughout this blog post. Butch Vig was a big fan of making things sound larger almost every single guitar track on this album is dubbed over at least twice with a different amp effect pedal or guitar entirely. This track has no vocal dub, but a fuller guitar tone is heard with a few tracks over the top of the main chord progression. A good use of power chords a F minor progression to be more exact ( F5, B♭5, A♭5, and D♭5). This creates that wall of sound and the guitar solo is tracked a couple of extra times with the main chord progression slightly under it to fill it out. Vig really wanted to make this track special as the day he heard the original demo he knew it was “A hit”. SLTS has a lot going for it in the studio Dave’s drum track at times is modified and has a element of electronic rock in it. Krists Bass Line is really full and holds its own over the dueling guitar tracks and even peaks out into the main track at times.
“In Bloom” was the first sound city sessions song originally meant to be a Sub-Pop single and had already been demoed by Chad Channing prior. The re-recording featuring Dave Grohl, the new drummer at the time, was much more powerful drum tone and louder cymbals. Grohl also sang the backing vocals on this song and his voice greatly matched Kurt’s. In the recording Kurt and Daves vocal tracks were doubled to have a fuller sound plus Butch Vig said “Dave and Krist had this great groove going” making the song kind of come together.
“Come as You Are” one of the more popular guitar songs of all time that makes you almost sing the instrumental. The recording of this song was very quick three vocal takes of which Butch and the crew used the first. Two guitar takes of which the extra was for the guitar solo which was retracked to double it. Vig would also have Kurt double his Vocal for harmonies (which Dave Grohl and eventually Pat Smear would sing live). An electro harmonix chorus effect pedal was used to give the riff a watery echo sound effect. That adds to a riff that sounds amazing with a clean tone. The tuning is a full step down from normal (DGFCAD) which creates a dull and eerily haunting sound especially with the slight distortion that the Chorus affect adds to the overall tone. This is a fan favorite song and it kind of encapsulates the true Nevermind sound.
“Breed” is punk rock notice earlier when I mentioned cleaner less harsh distorted tones well, I lied almost. Some songs feature slight harshness. Nirvana grew with roots of pop and punk, and the poppy punchiness of “Breed” is explained in the in the winding almost screaming of the lyrics. The use of the ride cymbal and crashes at a lot of background groove that pulls you in. The demo of this song (Imodium) featuring Chad Channing has a very similar sound aside from a from winding drum fill that moves the kit.
“Lithium” is a pop sound that Kurt was really happy about. The song uses a very nice clean tone, steady drumming and a powerful bass line. At points the guitar track and the overdubs stop completely letting the rhythm section own the song. With that the vocal harmony of Kurt with himself is impeccable, he sings almost a pitch down from his natural baritone voice.
The story of “Polly” is quite disturbing Kurt details a horrifying event. So as the story unfolds “Polly” is kidnapped by Gerald Friend in Tacoma, Washington. As Kurt sings and plays you start to realize that the song isn’t about the Kidnapped but the Kidnapper and his perspective. How Polly craves freedom and that is out of the question as the guitar slowly chugs along and the pair seemingly sing along A vocal harmony tells the story now complete with both individuals, the evil and innocent speaking together one begging another mocking.
“Territorial Pissings” IS AWESOME. The entire song is just Kurt and the gng kind of screaming and making alien noise rock. A almost synth like sound pulls through the guitar with the now famous words of “Come on people now smile on your brother.” Kurt keeps the intensity and fun fact almost every live performance of this song ends in a guitar smashing of some sort.
“Drain you” holds the record for most overdubs on any Nirvana song. This has nearly fourteen tracks of different amps, vocal inflections, guitars, and dubs with an attempt to record Dave Grohl failing. Butch Vig wanted this song to be hauntingly beautiful and, let me tell you it is. Drain you was also Kurts favorite song to play live and really wanted it to be one of the singles to get a music video.
“Lounge act” is a great song with great rhythm. One part of this album I feel is overlooked is the instrumentation and just how improved the band is. Even down to the bass lines which are simple but effective and are much better than their bleach and even Smart session counter parts. Dave Grohl replaces Chad Channing in a very special way, as always Kurt gives an impressive performance.
“Stay away” has some spunk to it as the snare builds up almost like marching percussion with Krist trailing the sound with a decent bass groove. Kurt kicks into full force screaming and playing a impressive power barre chord mix on the song.
“On a plain” is one of my personal favorite songs why you didn’t ask well first of screw you dude be cool for once, also because the vocals are very nice plus I really enjoy how the overdub is four to five tracks of Kurt singing it almost sounds like the biblical description of a angels voice one covered and swaddled in the voices of overs.
“Something in the way” the same haunting guitar from Polly reappears here and it does not lose its creepiness. This song is haunting, so much so that it has sent some individuals reeling in tears I’ve almost cried while singing along as despair can really be felt. And as the final track leaves the listener noticeably confused, yet captivated.
