Listen Now
Episode 68 covers Nirvana’s second and landmark studio album, 1991’s “Nevermind.” Produced by Butch Vig, it was Nirvana’s first release on the DGC label, as well as the first to feature drummer Dave Grohl. Nevermind features a more polished, radio-friendly sound than the band’s prior work, and is therefore considered a significant departure from their debut album, Bleach. Nevermind is often credited with initiating a resurgence of punk culture among teenagers and young adults of Generation X.[5] In addition, it was responsible in part for bringing both grunge and alternative rock music to a mainstream audience and ending the dominance of hair metal.[6] The album has sold over 30 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling albums of all time. In March 1999, it was certified Diamond by the RIAA. Among the most acclaimed albums in the history of music, Nevermind was added to the National Recording Registry in 2005 as “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant”.
Mark, Kevin, Alex, and Chris take you on a historical journey surrounding the album as well as share our favorites and not-so favorites from the record. We go on a deep dive track-by-track listen of this album as well as share personal stories of discovering Nirvana’s “Nevermind.”
Subscribe, Rate, and Review:
Quick Reviews
Mark An album of purpose – they had so much right off the bat, and its a full band effort.
Chris Love this album from a meat an potatoes rock guy. You can hear parts of their sound, but it needs just a bit more development.
Alex Crazy leap from Bleach to Nevermind. Practically a greatest hits at this point and really not much filler here at all if any. Not my favorite Nirvana album but honestly probably the one I WOULD use to introduce someone to the band.
Kevin Expecting more from an album that moved 30 million copies. Second half is definitely lacking, however there were a few songs I haven’t heard a million times before that I enjoyed.
Love It or Flush It
| M | C | A | K | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Smells Like Teen Spirit" | 5:01 | B | L | L | B | |
| 2 | "In Bloom" | 4:14 | F | L | L | L | |
| 3 | "Come as You Are" | 3:39 | L | B | B | B | |
| 4 | "Breed" | 3:03 | L | L | L | F | |
| 5 | "Lithium" | 4:17 | L | L | L | T | |
| 6 | "Polly" | 2:57 | F | L | T | L | |
| 7 | "Territorial Pissings" | 2:22 | L | F | F | T | |
| 8 | "Drain You" | 3:43 | L | L | L | L | |
| 9 | "Lounge Act" | 2:36 | T | T | T | F | |
| 10 | "Stay Away" | 3:32 | F | T | B | F | |
| 11 | "On a Plain" | 3:16 | T | B | B | L | |
| 12 | "Something in the Way" | 3:52 | B | L | L | L |
Love It or Flush It Legend
L = Love. As many as you like.
F = Flush. Must flush at least one track per album.
B = Buy. Purchased for the ultimate LTS “Best Of” playlist for each of us. One per album.
T = Terminate. Should have never even existed. One per album.
The Rules
Each of us must Love, Flush, Buy, and Terminate AT LEAST ONE track on an album, no matter how great or terrible the album is. Whoever wins the “7 for the Buy” section gets an extra Buy or Terminate to use on the album. Because Chris hosts this section and thus cannot win, he gets an extra Buy or Terminate every 4 albums.
Album Information
Nevermind is the second studio album by American rock band Nirvana, released on September 24, 1991, by DGC Records. Produced by Butch Vig, it was Nirvana’s first release on the DGC label, as well as the first to feature drummer Dave Grohl. Nevermind features a more polished, radio-friendly sound than the band’s prior work, and is therefore considered a significant departure from their debut album, Bleach. Recording for Nevermind took place at Sound City Studios in Van Nuys, California, and Smart Studios in Madison, Wisconsin in May and June 1991, with mastering being completed in August of that year at The Mastering Lab in Hollywood, California.
According to frontman Kurt Cobain, the songs of Nevermind were influenced by bands such as the Pixies, R.E.M., the Smithereens, and the Melvins. He fashioned chord sequences using power chords, combining pop hooks with dissonant guitar riffs. Cobain intended for the album to sound like a fusion of mainstream pop bands such as the Knack and the Bay City Rollers with heavier rock bands such as Black Flag and Black Sabbath. While Nevermind is considered a cornerstone of the grunge genre, the album is frequently noted for its musical diversity, which includes acoustic balladry (“Polly“; “Something in the Way“) and punk-inspired hard rock (“Territorial Pissings”; “Stay Away”).[4] The album cover, featuring a nude infant swimming toward a U.S. dollar bill on a fishhook, is one of the most famous album covers in popular music.
Nevermind became an unexpected critical and commercial success. In January 1992, it reached number one on the US Billboard 200; during this time it was selling approximately 300,000 copies a week. The lead single “Smells Like Teen Spirit” peaked at number six on the US Billboard Hot 100, and its video was heavily rotated on MTV. Three other successful singles were produced: “Come as You Are“, “Lithium“, and “In Bloom“. Nevermind was voted the best album of the year in Pazz & Jop critics’ poll, while “Smells Like Teen Spirit” also topped the single of the year and video of the year polls.
Nevermind is often credited with initiating a resurgence of punk culture among teenagers and young adults of Generation X.[5] In addition, it was responsible in part for bringing both grunge and alternative rock music to a mainstream audience and ending the dominance of hair metal.[6] The album has sold over 30 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling albums of all time. In March 1999, it was certified Diamond by the RIAA. Among the most acclaimed albums in the history of music, Nevermind was added to the National Recording Registry in 2004 as “culturally, historically or aesthetically significant”.
