Kurt's 45th Birthday Post

Today is/ would have been Kurt Cobain's 45th birthday. No one can deny that he was amazing and super talented, I think anyone that accomplishes something that can touch, to even change the life of someone they never met must half at least an ounce of talent. Obviously Kurt Cobain, went beyond touching one person, with his music and his personality and beliefs he changed or touched the lives of millions. Only a handful of people have really done so. I first really started listening to Nirvana on my own when I was thirteen. I mean, of course I knew who Nirvana was and I had heard the huge hits, such as: 'Come As You Are', 'Smells Like Teen Spirit', 'Lithium', 'Heart-Shaped Box', etc. before, but I didn't know about Nirvana or really how their music had changed the landscape for music. Six or so months after I took the initiative to listen to Nirvana on my own, of course I realized how amazing these were, and I was interest in the artist behind them. How could they of these lyrics and these melodies? I read the Wikipedia page and learned a little about Kurt and I remember being so inspired by his story and who he was as a person. I began this strong admiration for him and just felt really connected to him, even though our lives did not overlap at all. When I finally began High School, I met other people that loved Kurt Cobain and to be honest I was sort of surprised at first that there were people that loved him as much as I did and felt "connected" to him as I did. I learned Kurt was not just relatable to me, but millions of people from 1991 when Nevermind hit to now feel/felt this overwhelming connection to him. I think it is great that he is not of those rock stars who just dies and it is over. There are so many people still discovering who he is and Nirvana's music. If you were to click on my Kurt Cobain label, you would see that to me, the word amazing is such an underestimate for what we was. Here are three links to videos that I love regarding or of Kurt.
1. Sappy Tribute - Created by Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic
2. Krist Novoselic On Kurt
3. Kurt and Krist 1992 Interview

Kool Thing

Kool Thing- Sonic Youth

Is it sad that up until about three months ago I had never really listened to Sonic Youth? It took me years until I finally found the time out of my "extremely busy" life to listen to this awesome band? Especially considering how much I love Nirvana and how I know they toured with Sonic Youth and how there are multiple pictures of Kurt wearing shirts with Sonic Youth's cover for Goo on it? AND considering the degree of my Kurt Cobain obsession at it's peak, combined with the fact Kurt was close with Kim Gordon and Thurston Moore, I am in even more shock it didn't trigger a Sonic Youth obsession alongside Nirvana! I mean, years I went without having any questions about who/what Sonic Youth was! I am sort of appalled by my own ignorance to not look them up after years... They are incredible and ah, why did I wait so long? Their music is so amazingly odd and strange and considering all of the music that came pre-Sonic Youth it must have sounded so new and experimental and mind blowing to people who were alive when Sonic Youth first released their debut, Sonic Youth in 1982. Yes, this song is from Goo which was released in 1990, but wow, I really wish I could have been their to get a better perspective because the small knowledge of music history I know, Sonic Youth, well Goo, must have been so ground-breaking for alternative punk-rock.

The Man Who Sold The World

The Man Who Sold The World- Nirvana

Although David Bowie is one of my favorite artists (along with Nirvana), and he was the won who wrote and originally performed this song, I might like the Nirvana version a little better. Usually, I along with most people like the original version of the song verses a cover, except a few cases, this being one of them. Maybe, it is because I have only listened to the MTV Unplugged version, and all those who know the history of music well or are Nirvana fans know that Nirvana was really 'on their game' that day. Overall, I think the raspy nasal sound in Kurt's voice is a better fit for this song.

Sappy

Sappy- Nirvana

I haven't posted any Nirvana songs in a while so decided to post about them. This song is my current favorite Nirvana song, although it changes all the time. Do I have a favorite Nirvana song of all time? No! I couldn't chose, I might be able to narrow it down to my twenty favorites, but even that is asking a lot. This is from their debut, Bleach, which I personally like better than In Utero. Most people disagree with me on that, but the reason I like Bleach so much is because it has more of a raw sound to it, I think. I am not saying In Utero is a bad record, because that would be stupid. All of their records are fantastic. Some people think that In Utero is a better record than Nevermind, and it is a great record, but come on, Nevermind is an example of a "perfect record". Yes, I do think that highly of it. Bleach is amazing though! I feel as though it is very underestimated because In Utero and Nevermind were such a bigger success, but as I said before I like it better than In Utero. There is GREAT Kurt Cobain footage in this music video, put together by Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic (according to the caption). In the photo above (which is one of my many favorite Nirvana photos), Kurt is the one on the left with a blanket over his body.

Molly's Lips

Molly's Lips- The Vaselines

This song is an old time favorite of mine. I personally like The Vaselines version bettter, but Nirvana did a cover of the song that is nice too.

Breed

Breed (1992 Live at Reading)- Nirvana

Considering that twenty years and five days ago Nirvana release their spectacular album that shook and changed music forever, Nevermind, I thought it would be appropriate to blog about a song from the record. Now, if you like Nirvana as much as I do and read plenty of music blogs and magazines, then you know what everyone has been saying. Let's face it anyone that has good taste in music knows how Nevermind was a special record. You are aware how people say "everyone was into Nirvana" and "it came at the right time" and a million other things, so I am not going to go on and on about how important it is. I love every single song on it and in honor of the release, I am posting one of my favorite songs from Nevermind, (though I really do love them all). Also, on Tuesday I bought the Nevermind Super-Deluxe Edition, which in my opinion is fantastic. It comes with 4 CD's including the original remastered version of the album as well as a DVD of their legendary gig, Live at the Paramount, which is my second favorite Nirvana gig that has been recorded (1992 Reading comes first), though very few have been recorded.... It sounds amazing on vinyl and I listen to it too much. It also comes with a 90 page book with amazing photos that even I have never seen, and before I bought it I thought that I have seen nearly every Nirvana/Kurt Cobain photo that has ever been released on the internet. Anyways, if you are a fan, I suggest you buy it. I love this song, particularly the Live at Reading version because when Kurt begins to sing you can hear the roar of the crowd in the background, this was the opening song of the night. I think it is funny sort of that they thought this was going to be their worst gig ever, according to Dave Grohl! Here is the an article explaining it.

Lounge Act

Lounge Act- Nirvana

If you read my blog often, you know that Nirvana is one of my favorite bands ever and I have all three of their albums because they are amazing. Anyway, this song is from Nevermind and it is one of my favorite songs by Nirvana (it's impossible to pick just one). It's hard to believe that it was released nearly twenty years ago (on September twenty-fourth it will be twenty years). It really is a classic, there is a song on it for everyone, which most people probably know because I assume most people that like music own this album. Basically, I just love this song, and even though it is one of the less popular songs on the album, I think it's one of the best.

Son of a Gun

Son of a Gun- The Vaselines

Such a fun happy beat! A great song for the summer. If you like She & Him I think you would like this, but if you don't like She & Him, I would still look at it. The first ten seconds of the song have an appearance that it will be this really intense, hardcore song, but it really isn't. I actually discovered The Vaselines because somewhere I read that Kurt Cobain really liked them and their music, here is a cover of the song that Nirvana did.

Where Is My Mind

Where Is My Mind- Pixies

I know Pixies is an older band, and this song is/was pretty popular, but it is new to me and I am so obsessed with it. I love the rythm of the song, and I love how the lead singers voice is somewhat quieter than the instruments that play, this song is genius. I found out about the band, Pixies, because I was looking at Nirvana's biggest musical influence, and this came up! 

LOVE THIS MAN.

I wanted to visit his grave, but he was burned and his ashes were thrown into a river that leads into the ocean... and I was literally literally so angry. I like him and Nirvana because of their music. His lyrics are funny and smart and at the same time must come from a very sensitive person with a deep heart. I like this picture because it made me laugh.

Happy Birthday Kurt!

In my mind, he was one of, the greatest artist of all time. Some people thing he is harsh and dark, and to an extent he is, but I believe it is more that he is honest and completely straight forward. Him and his lyrics are honest, and simple but at the same time so complex. I love how he sings about things that not too many artists always pay attention to. In one of his songs 'All Apologizes', he wrote, "In the sun, In the Sun, I feel as one." I love that. I love that feeling when everything seems lost and confusing and you feel scared; then you close your eyes and just feel the sun on your face. It makes everything feel right, and all those emotions fade away. You feel as one. With yourself, and with the earth and everything. In nirvana's song 'In Bloom', I think he is talking about how people certain people like to listen to certain songs and certain bands, but for the wrong reasons. Or how they sing lyrics, but they have no idea what they really mean. Anyways, that is how I interpret some of Nirvana's music. Happy Birthday Kurt Cobain! Rest In Peace.

Teen Spirit

Smells Like Teen Spirit- Nirvana

So Amazing.

Litium?

Nirvana?

No, this is not funny. Please tell me that someone intended this is as a not so funny joke. I mean, really Justin Bieber, just please tell me he didn't say this. "I feel like the Kurt Cobain of my generation". I don't care who you are but comparing yourself to Kurt Cobain is just ridiculous, especially Justin Bieber. NO.

Man of Many Great Quotes

I miss him.

R.I.P Kurt Cobain

One of my favorite musicians of all time. Nirvana completely changed the whole music world of that time and you will never know how many times a week I say that I miss him.