Kurt Cobain/Nirvana: Talented? Not really?

[PoeticSmile]

I've been reading a lot about how Kurt ripped off a lot of other bands, including himself. Well, was he really a talented musician worthy of his genius label, or simply a talented plagarist. So, I was wondering what you guys thought. Thanks.

[Kinbote]

I couldn't tell you anything about plagiarism; thudding mediocrity, on the other hand...

[mr. dynamite]

bands rip off each ohter constantly,
their albums dont really do much for me,
but i think their MTV unplugged demonstrates Kurt C's immense power as a performer
and i think thats worth something.

[TheImplodingVoice]

I hate this debate, but all im going to say is that i think Nirvana is really good.

[Kinbote]

Originally posted by TheImplodingVoice
I hate this debate, but all im going to say is that i think Nirvana is really good.

Dork!

[TheImplodingVoice]

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[Kris K]

I think they're ok. Bleach sucks though.

[Jackal]

I listen to their albums and I love what I hear.
Simple as that.

[Wayne Arnold]

Talented? Yes. As talented as he's often given credit for? Of course not.

[Narcissistic Nihilist]

Cobain was never the greatest singer or guitarist, and he never claimed to be. But boy, did he have a knack for writing tunes and thats way more important.

So, talented? Yes.

[Peter]

Right band at the right time. But their music was nothing special.

[Suede]

Originally posted by ..i..
Bleach sucks though.

[PLEASE DON'T STEP ON ME]

How is that funny? It's a basic fact.

[Suede]

it is funny. i prefer bleach over nevermind.

[PLEASE DON'T STEP ON ME]

Cheerio. As you were soldier.

[Tabris]

Originally posted by Wayne Arnold
Talented? Yes. As talented as he's often given credit for? Of course not. I agree. It's impossible for someone so highly regarded to really measure up. I tihnk he certainly was a talent, he wrote a lot of pretty good songs. Obviously there's an easy influence of the Pixies, Sonic Youth and Dinosaur JR., Husker Du and a few of the Seattle contemporaries, but I hardly call the way he used his influence "Plagarism".
It's hard for me to see them as a bad band, becuase their stance, convictions and actual music dont seem at all disagreeable to me. And i certainly can instantly recognize a nirvana song, and I would never confuse them with the Pixies, Sonic Youth or anybody they "plagarized", so that arguement doesnt hold up with me...
but overrated, I can deffinately see that, but it's hardly surprising.

[Atomsk Iscariot]

Originally posted by Insert Postcode Here
How is that funny? It's a basic fact. You are totally verging on the untroo here, Matt.

[Kinbote]

I really dislike his voice, and the stupid loud guitars.

[aria]

Originally posted by Narcissistic Nihilist
Cobain was never the greatest singer or guitarist, and he never claimed to be. But boy, did he have a knack for writing tunes and thats way more important.

So, talented? Yes.

i completely agree

[PLEASE DON'T STEP ON ME]

Originally posted by Atomsk Iscariot
You are totally verging on the untroo here, Matt.

Eh, I dunno, i've always found bleach to be the most boring out of Nirvana's catalougue. Then again, I find alot of Nirvana boring, so that could be my problem right there.

[Static Split Screen]

They're ok, but way overhyped.

[vaya con dios]

Bleach is great. I mean, you can tell it's a bunch of early-20 somethings trying very hard to emulate the Melvin's "Gluey Porch Treatments" LP in its entirety, but that's the appeal.

Also, Nevermind is so god damned overproduced I can't listen to it at all without being bored out of my fucking mind. Same goes for that Siamese Dream album. And I wouldn't be stunned if Garbage's material is produced by Vig. BORING.

[Kris K]

I think that In Utero is their finest work. Even though I don't really listen to Nirvana much anymore, if I had to pick a studio album of theirs to listen to it would be that. Unplugged is also a good album, makes me wonder what Kurt could've achieved later on in his career, it would probably be one of the only occassions where I would've approved of a band member going off to do a acoustic-solo album.

I can't stand Bleach. Nevermind is ok, I'm still attached to it a bit because I thought it was the best thing ever when I first heard it and a year or two later. The live album was pretty awful, but I think Nirvana were one of those bands where the live experience simply couldn't be captured on recordings (excluding the unplugged album).

The Greatest Hits album, was of course, awful. I didn't even bother checking out the box set, and to capitalize off of Cobain once more, they released a "best of," cd of the boxset with two "exclusive" tracks.

[vaya con dios]

Well, that's pretty much why most people like Nevermind. I'm sure of it. It's just one of those things, like Pearl Jam's Ten. Or something similar. You know what I mean.

I actually didn't mind the live album. In fact, of all their material, that and the Unplugged album I have kept. (I have Bleach on cassette.)

Incesticide is my favorite one, actually. It was released at the best possible time.

[TheImplodingVoice]

Originally posted by ..i..
I think that In Utero is their finest work. Even though I don't really listen to Nirvana much anymore, if I had to pick a studio album of theirs to listen to it would be that. Unplugged is also a good album, makes me wonder what Kurt could've achieved later on in his career

[vaya con dios]

Incesticide is great. It is their best compromise, poppy and sloppy.

[Pulseczar]

overhyped? yes. but there's no denying the great melodies admist the distorted guitars and yelping.

[Bumblebee mouth]

Originally posted by Narcissistic Nihilist
Cobain was never the greatest singer or guitarist, and he never claimed to be. But boy, did he have a knack for writing tunes and thats way more important.

So, talented? Yes.

Very well said.

Bleach is a great album. I'd have to say that In Utero is my favorite though. I've gotten kind of tired of Nevermind, but I still love songs like Drain You and Lounge Act.