#1/2: Familiar Territory: Part I

Out of Zack's 53 and Emily's 19 there were only 9 that overlapped (not even 1%). We figured we'd get these out of the way first before we start listening to anything new.

Nirvana - Nevermind (1991)

 

Zack: What can you say about Nevermind that hasn't been said a thousand times over? It is simply flawless. Polly, In Bloom, Lithium, and I haven't even mentioned the two biggest singles yet. Smells Like Teen Spirit has always gotten the recognition as the song that changed the music scene, but I've always found Come as You Are to be their magnum opus. Something about the way Kurt Cobain moans "And I don't have God " has always sent shivers down my spine. Sure, Nirvana purists may say that Nevermind is too polished to be a true Cobain work, but they can shut the hell up. Nevermind was a revolution for under $15 and it remains that way today.

Favorite tracks: Polly, Smells Like Teen Spirit, Come as You Are

Emily: I didn't really get into Nirvana until Philly got alternative radio back on the airwaves a couple years ago, and even then I only knew a few random singles. Not until last year did I finally hear all of Nevermind, and I've listened to it many times over since then. There are so many layers to Cobain's writing that I'm still discovering underlying meanings in his lyrics with every listen.

Favorite tracks: Smells Like Teen Spirit, Lithium, In Bloom

Nirvana - In Utero (1993)

Zack: I've always been impressed with In Utero, not just because of how strong an album it is, but also because of what it accomplished. An album like Nevermind is a once in a generation affair, and yet Nirvana was able to follow it up successfully while completely changing their sound. It's not hard to imagine Cobain, Grohl, and Novoselic sitting around, staring at Billboard charts with their album sitting right above the King of Pop, and saying, "Well this is cool. Next time, let's be more abravise and less listener friendly." The fact that they were able to make such an album and it still be a success is a testament to how uniquely gifted they were as a band.

Favorite Tracks: Dumb, Gallons of Rubbing Alcohol Flow Through the Strip, Rape Me

Emily: While I think In Utero is less consistent than Nevermind, a few tracks always blow me away. The  emotion in Cobain's voice contrasts with the heavier, rawer sound of tracks like Heart-Shaped Box and Rape Me, yet they fit together perfectly. The lyrics tie it all together, taking it from good to genius. It still leaves me wondering what else Cobain could've done for music.

Favorite Tracks: Heart-Shaped Box, Rape Me, Pennyroyal Tea