I hear what you’re saying about Nirvana. And though I’m as big a fan of Nirvana as anybody else mentioned in the thread, they really were lighting in a bottle on the grunge scene. They shone so much brighter live, even. It was Kurt’s ability to weave instantly catchy tunes that caused grunge to consume the face of rock at the time, and this is largely because of Nevermind. Almost every song on there is accessible to even-keel non-grunge fans. But there’s some really down and dirty grunge material in Bleach,Incesticide and In Utero too. They sort of had it all for me, while my other favorite grunge bands like AIC or Soundgarden, well they sort of had a very particular “zone” they worked within.
As for something that appealed to more of a pop-set, or radio-friendly grunge, I’d have to give that one to STP (or even Pearl Jam). That’s not to dis them at all though. They’re were one of the greatest bands out there. In fact, I have Purple spinning now…
Nevermind is one of those albums where my favorites change with the weather. It’s very hard for me to pick one, though Lounge Act, On a Plain, Lithium, Smells Like Teen Spirit and Come as You Are are the strongest for me. Maybe Polly too. And Drain You.
Oh yeah - it is That Song. But I really don’t…need to listen to Nevermind anymore. I can just look at it - the name, the CD on my shelf - and get a “listening hit” off of it because it got played so much. No slam on the material - I didn’t need to listen to a lot of Zep and The Who for a long time after radio saturation, too…
The Nymphs, Imitating Angels. They only really had one memorable song {well, maybe that and Sad and Damned}, but dear God, it was a good one. And the whole of Mother Love Bone’s Apple, but especially Crown of Thorns. And Mudhoney channelling the Stooges on In ‘n’ Out of Grace
Lithiumis probably my favorite Nirvana and grunge song. The lyrics plus the juxtaposition between the laid-back verses and screaming "Yeah-eah-eah-eah-eah!"chorus always immediately bring me back to my slacker, insecure and frenetic youth. Plus I think it was the first song I learned to play on the bass. It is absolutely impossible for this song not to get cranked when it comes on the radio in my car, or for me not to be in a great mood after it’s done.
Man, I don’t wanna be “that guy”, but here goes: I can’t even listen to the Nirvana songs they play on the radio anymore. If it’s not from Bleach or the singles, I just lacks the right amount of spice. I liked them at the time, but they haven’t aged well on me. I used to hold them separate from STP or Pearl Jam, but through the paper towel tube of time their later songs sound more and more like radio hits rather than what I think of as “grunge”. Ehh, maybe to others, grunge was something that happened on the radio, it wasn’t to me.
And, I’d like to change my answer, it’s actually either “Bad Times” by Lubricated Goat* (caution, NSFW word in image of album cover), or the whole album Lysol by the Melvins**. It doesn’t matter which it is, they’re both methods for living.
*If it’s not the perfect grunge jam, it’s got the Best Opening Line Ever:
And so they covered me with blood
and threw me into shark infested waters.
Schools of mermaids gathered 'round and
together we were slaughered.
** It’s the Sgt. Pepper’s of grunge, or metal. Take your pick. It’s all one 31 minute track on the CD, so I think it qualifies as a “jam” mightily.
Wow, that was a cranky post this morning. After a little bit of sleep, I must admit that I know I listen to crap; and if the stuff you like doesn’t intersect with the crap I like, it doesn’t mean either is inferior. Heck, I’ll probably like Nirvana’s last two records again next week.
On Puddle of Mudd’s “She Hates Me” video, can anyone tell me who that actress is singing along? Google searches say Leighton Meester, but they don’t seem to be “official” cites. I think she looks more like Dominique Swain.
because it got played so much. No slam on the material - I didn’t need to listen to a lot of Zep and The Who for a long time after radio saturation, too…
