Kurt Cobain
With vacant deep blue eyes and that haunting look (heroin will do that to you), Kurt Cobain was the poster boy of the Grunge sound. He was the de facto leader of Nirvana, which included drummer and future Foo Fighter founder David Grohl and bassist Chris Novoselic. What often got lost in the swirlwas that Cobain, a former drummer, was an incredible guitarist. Here's the proof:
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Exhibit A: Smells Like Teen Spirit
Sure, it was Nirvana's biggest and most recognizable song but it
contains all the things that made Cobain great. The song opens with a chord progression that sounds like the work of some '60s garage band. Then the chord progression explodes into a wall of distorted sound.
As quickly as it started it's over and there's a simple two-note riff during the verse. Just two notes. Perfect. Add to that a brilliantly awesome slide guitar solo. There are albums that don't do as much as that song.
Exhibit B: Come As You Are
In the late '50s and early '60s guitar instrumentals were extremelypopular. and not just the surf stuff. Link Wray and Duane Eddy played the E, A, D strings - not just the higher G, B and E. They produced a guttural sound. The first notes of "Come As You Are" are like a throw back to that era with the low strings echoing from the full on reverb. It sounds like it came from the bottom of the Duane Eddy gene pool. Of course, the song shifts into the Cobain guitar thrash in the chorus. Being able to start in one place and end in another was a definite Cobain trait.
Exhibit C: Aneurysm (Live)
This was one of the greatest Rockers ever recorded. Period. The machine gun opening gives way to a rising series of notes that fall off the peak into the verse. Stunning. Spectacular. The vocals are all out too.
Cobain had a way with riffs and chord progressions. While not necessarily a speed merchant, like guitar warriors of the '60s and '70s, his work was far more unique and interesting - at times even delicate. That's why Nirvana recordings, whether it's "Bleach," "Nevermind," "In Utero," Unplugged" or the live "From The Banks of the Muddy Wishkah" will be played long after even David Grohl has retired.
Nirvana wasn't around all that long but they sure made an impact. After an indie EP "Blew" they sign with another indie label, Seattle's Sub-Pop. Nirvana's "Bleach," arriving in '89 gives every indication this is a group to be reckoned with. "Incesticide" has some great songs, and some not so great songs. Then came the landmark "Nevermind." "In Utero" is the group's last studio effort.
Following the death of a major Rock star there is usually a mad dash to cash-in on unreleased material. There's a reason the material is unreleased; it's second or third rate. Nirvana is the exception to the rule.
The highlights from "Unplugged In New York" include "About A Girl" and the cover of David Bowie's "The Man Who Sold The World." "From The Banks of the Muddy Wishkah" there's the blasting "Aneurysm." This is Nirvana live and loud. It just doesn't get any better.
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