Album Reviews

Photo

Nirvana

Nevermind  Hear it Now

RS: 3of 5 Stars Average User Rating: 4.5of 5 Stars

2007

Play View Nirvana's page on Rhapsody

Despite the hand-wringing the fanzines do each time an indie-rock hero signs a major-label deal, righteous postpunk stars from Hüsker Dü to Soundgarden have joined the corporate world without debasing their music. More often than not, ambitious left-of-the-dial bands gallantly cling to their principles as they plunge into the depths of commercial failure. Integrity is a heavy burden for those trying to scale the charts.

Led by singer-guitarist Kurt Cobain, Nirvana is the latest underground bonus baby to test mainstream tolerance for alternative music. Given the small corner of public taste that nonmetal guitar rock now commands, the Washington State trio's version of the truth is probably as credible as anyone's. A dynamic mix of sizzling power chords, manic energy and sonic restraint, Nirvana erects sturdy melodic structures – sing-along hard rock as defined by groups like the Replacements, Pixies and Sonic Youth – but then at-tacks them with frenzied screaming and guitar havoc. When Cobain revs into high punk gear, shifting his versatile voice from quiet caress to raw-throated fury, the decisive control of bassist Chris Novoselic and drummer Dave Grohl is all that keeps the songs from chaos. If Nirvana isn't onto anything altogether new, Nevermind does possess the songs, character and confident spirit to be much more than a reformulation of college radio's high-octane hits.

Nirvana's undistinguished 1989 debut, Bleach, relied on warmed-over Seventies metal riffs, but the thrashing Nevermind boasts an adrenalized pop heart and incomparably superior material, captured with roaring clarity by coproducer Butch Vig. Cued in with occasional (and presumably intentional) tape errors, most of the songs – like "On a Plain," "Come as You Are" and "Territorial Pissings" – exemplify the band's skill at inscribing subtlety onto dense, noisy rock. At the album's stylistic extremes, "Something in the Way" floats a translucent cloud of acoustic guitar and cello, while "Breed" and "Stay Away" race flat-out, the latter ending in an awesome meltdown rumble.

Too often, underground bands squander their spunk on records they're not ready to make, then burn out their energy and inspiration with uphill touring. Nevermind finds Nirvana at the crossroads – scrappy garageland warriors setting their sights on a land of giants.

IRA ROBBINS

(Posted: Nov 28, 1991)

Advertisement

News and Reviews

Advertisement


How to Play This Album
  • Click the play button.

  • Register or enter your username and password.

  • Let the music play!

No commitment.
It's FREE.

 

Review 1 of 17

tristian writes:

5of 5 Stars


my favourite album and the greatest album ever, kurt cobain and nirvana are sitll one of the best bands in the world and no recent album comes close to topping this. its funny how in 91 rolling stone gave this 3/5, then in 92 a 4/5 then in 2004 gave it 5/5, wats going on there, make up ur mind, it was 5/5 fromt he beginning

Mar 19, 2008 19:48:45

Off Topic Report Abuse

Review 2 of 17

bassgdae13 writes:

5of 5 Stars


To me, Nevermind was a sign, and it led you straight to something new, and i like new. Nevermind is probably one of the greatest albums ever made, it was something different then what was going on at the time. Even though Nirvana's first album Bleach wasnt as good as this album, i still personally still like Bleach but it is not nearly as good as Nevermind, when Bleach came out people were not ready for Nirvana the idea of a screaming grunge band for seattle only some of fans couldve accepted. But Nevermind changed that, with Kurt Cobains unique lyrics with the soft singing then going to the screaming choas, and loud yet soft guitar playing, Krist Noveliscs hard and rhythmic bass lines, and Dave Grohls hard pounding loud and aggressive drummer, Nevermind was an artwork that only comes once and a decade. For the 60's it was the Beatles, For the 70's Led Zeppelin came into power, the 80's it was Metallica, the 90's it was Nirvana.

Feb 29, 2008 07:02:24

Off Topic Report Abuse

Review 3 of 17

fearofdreaming77 writes:

3of 5 Stars


See what's funny is that most of you Kurdt worshipers have got it so completly wrong. If he was still here he'd tell you so, because if you know anything about him you know how much he valued honesty. You can't give this album five stars with out raising the scale to ten to review In Utero, the two don't even compare. That is kurdt's masterpiece not this glossy, reproduction of Nirvana. Not a bad album by any means but it really does pale in comparison, espicially if you are moved by who Kurdt was an an artist not just his art.

Feb 7, 2008 22:06:39

Off Topic Report Abuse

Review 4 of 17

Thelivingdead writes:

5of 5 Stars


Nevermind is probably my favorite album on this planet. Rolling Stone review was a 3/5 and they said the most overated album but yet made it a 17 on there 500 greatest albums of all time... But any way i wan't ever a big Nirvana fan till i got this album and i fell in love wit hit Smells like Teen spirt is one of the best songs of the 90's...


Jan 19, 2008 13:44:20

Off Topic Report Abuse

Review 5 of 17

djcevn writes:

5of 5 Stars


i'm pretty sure that this review is the original review of nevermind. in 2004 rs rated it five stars if im not mistaken and regarded it as the 17th best album of ALL time, with smells like teen spirit as the 9th best song of ALL time. so dont get mad people, rs has showed its respect to this masterpiece. that HAS to be the original three star rating it recieved in 1992, cause this IS a musical masterpiece genius work of art.

Dec 14, 2007 19:59:26

Off Topic Report Abuse

Review 6 of 17

Reebokanonymous writes:

5of 5 Stars


I'm glad to see that at least most of you don't hate Nirvana with a passion like some a holes out there thinking they're being original. This album kicks ass. If you don't think so, try listening to some bad albums, because I'll tell you what, most albums aren't that good.
Most albums have a couple good songs, but those are usually weeded out so people don't buy them. Usually people buy extraordinary albums and so they think the standard for good music is really high when it's actually really crappy.
So there you have it, this entire album is good. No . . . grrreat!

Nov 24, 2007 10:33:23

Off Topic Report Abuse

Review 7 of 17

rextoby writes:

5of 5 Stars


can t beleve Rolling Stone published a 3 star review of this utter masterpiece, did the reviewer get an Abba Cd by mistake?????????

Sep 20, 2007 06:44:39

Off Topic Report Abuse

Review 8 of 17

AAtheCritic writes:

5of 5 Stars


that writer was high

Nevermind is brilliant

and why would their 8th best song be from an album they gave three stars?

Sep 2, 2007 22:27:37

Off Topic Report Abuse

Previous

 

Everything:Nirvana

Main | Biography | Articles | Album Reviews | Photos | Discography | Widget

 


Advertisement

Advertisement