Viccars' Album Review #3

Nevermind (1991)

Artist: Nirvana

Label: DGC

Producers: Butch Vig

1. Smells Like Teen Spirit ★★★★☆
2. In Bloom ★★★☆☆
3. Come as You’re ★★★☆☆
4. Breed ★★★☆☆
5. Lithium ★★★☆☆
6. Polly ★★☆☆☆
7. Territorial Pissing ★★☆☆☆
8. Drain You ★★☆☆☆
9. Lounge Act ★☆☆☆☆
10. Stay Away ★☆☆☆☆
11. On a Plain ★★☆☆☆
12. Something in the Way ★★★☆☆
13. Endless, Nameless (hidden track) ★☆☆☆☆

After recently watching Cobain: Montage of Heck; a documentary about Kurt Cobain directed by Brett Morgen, I found myself compelled to write something in homage to the great man himself.  So here we are, bearing down on yet another album review by yours truly.

“Nevermind” is the second studio album by Nirvana which took on unsuspected success back in 1991.  Maybe it was the Dave Grohl factor? But it was more than likely down to the overwhelming positive reception to the now rock cult classic “Smells Like Teen Spirit”.

In the song “Smells Like Teen Spirit” we are tossed from wherever we are at the time of inception, into an ocean like mosh pit; thrashing us with waves of chaotic guitar rage, and then soothed by Cobain’s almost trance-like voice-encapsulating all those whom hear-to only then throw you back into a frenzied mosh pit, much like a siren calling sailors to their demise.

As you listen through the album you’re met with instant recognisable classics such as “In Bloom”, “Come as you are”, “Breed” and “Lithium.” However, after this the album kind of loses me in a state of chaotic fury, which I can’t seem to understand.  Nonetheless, we then get to “Something in the Way”, and I become instantly mesmerised again. Kurt has a special way of bringing people to feel his emotions; and in this song you get a sense of dark frustrated sadness. This acoustic stroke of genius is a real stand out track for me, it just resonates with me.

Nirvana thrashed their way to chart success paving the way for rock bands to follow.

★★★☆☆

Paul Viccars

Mayo & Viccars Show - Mondays 8pm - 10pm - or catch it on SPREAKER

VICCARS' ALBUM REVIEW - Appetite for Destruction (Guns 'N' Roses)

Secklow's Paul Viccars invites you to listen to his favourite albums. This week he's been listening to

Appetite for Destruction (1987)

Artist: Guns N' Roses

Label: Geffen Records

Producer: Mike Clink

Track listings:

1. Welcome to the Jungle ★★★★☆

2. It's So Easy ★★☆☆☆

3. Nighttrain ★★★☆☆

4. Out ta Get Me ★★☆☆☆

5. Mr. Brownstone ★★★☆☆

6. Paradise City ★★★★☆

7. My Michelle ★★★☆☆

8. Think About You ★★★☆☆

9. Sweet Child O' Mine ★★★★★

10. You're Crazy ★★☆☆☆

11. Anything Goes ★★☆☆☆

12. Rocket Queen ★★★☆☆

Guns N' Roses's debut album "Appetite for Destruction" is probably one of the most influential albums of my childhood, I was introduced to them by my mother who would constantly sing "Sweet Child O'Mine" to me as a child.

"Appetite for Destruction" is one of my all-time favourite albums, with such classics as "Welcome to the Jungle", "Paradise City" & "Sweet Child O' Mine" this is easily one of those masterpiece records everyone appreciates with an estimated 30 million copies sold world, making it one of the top selling records in the United States.

The original artwork for the album created by American artist Robert Williams (see below), this artwork was rejected by the studio (maybe because there is a blatant raped victim being portrayed, while the rapist looks to be confronted by some crazy creature) and replaced by the famous cross and skulls (I prefer the cross and skulls).

With the album supposedly being written whilst the band were performing in Los Angles, apparently the memorable lyrics in "Welcome to the Jungle" came from a homeless man in Seattle trying to put fear in young runaways... "You know where you're? You're in the jungle baby; you're gonna die"

Overall Verdict: ★★★★☆

by Paul Viccars

Catch the MAYO & VICCARS SHOW at 8pm on Mondays on Secklow Sounds, and hear previous shows on SPREAKER