Album: Nevermind
Artist: Nirvana
Year: 1991
1. Smells Like Teen Spirit
2. In Bloom
3. Come as You Are
4. Breed
5. Lithium
6. Polly
7. Territorial Pissings
8. Drain You
9. Lounge Act
10. Stay Away
11. On a Plain
12. Something in the Way
13. Endless, Nameless (hidden track)
I was too young to appreciate this album when it came out, and I always annoyed that I couldn’t understand half the lyrics in Smells Like Teen Spirit. Plus, I was pretty much anti any music that my grandma would describe as noise. Over the years I began to appreciate Teen Spirit, then grew to really enjoy In Bloom and Lithium. So when I decided to do this countdown, I decided to give this album a once over considering nearly every publication ranks this as one of the top ten albums of all time.
So yeah, I like it. I was pleasantly surprised by the rawness of Breed and the earnestness of Polly. Territorial Pissings does just sound like screaming to me, but the rest of the album remains really good music, even if I can’t understand most of what Cobain is saying. Drain You, On a Plain, and Something in the Way are pretty solid.
I also gave In Utero a shot, but only liked a few of the songs. Apparently, Cobain preferred more screaming and noise than listenable melodies. More power to him, I guess.
Death By Troggles 
I own almost no Nirvana because my brother always had it growing up, and buying it felt redundant. As a result, I went years without hearing them and they feel new again. “Drain You” is easily my favorite Nirvana song, but I like this album in general. Except, you know, for “Territorial Pissings.”
So, of course, now I have had “Territorial Pissings” stuck in my head the entire day.
I Like Territorial Pissings.
I think your first comment on my blog deserves a plaque.
Yeah, I’ve lurked here and there a bit, especially the TNG stuff. I’ve also resisted making music-snobby comments about some of the first 25 albums you reviewed. So I thought this was as good a place as any to say something.
I do, too. The “stuck in my head” part has actually been good for the adrenaline.
Well, I’ll give you props for breaking out of the ordinary. Seems to me that most folks would either put Nevermind at /near the top of their list or leave it off entirely. I was surprised that ANYONE would pick it for #47.
“Lithium” is why God created Rock and Roll and it probably saved my life. Nevermind probably saved Rock and Roll. I’ll be interested to see what shows up at the top of your list!
Paul
Welcome Paul!
Most people wouldn’t have any 90’s country mixed in with grunge on any list, so maybe that explains it.
I know a guy who says Smells Like Teen Spirit is the reason he didn’t commit suicide. It came out when I was 10 years old and at that time New Kids on the Block is what resonated with me, but the album was obviously very important for many older than me.
My cathartic album is coming up later.