So I’ve been reading “Come As You Are” by Michael Azerrad, which is the inside story of Nirvana’s rise to pop domination in the early 90’s. I read it probably 10 years ago, shortly after Cobain’s suicide, and felt like taking yet another stroll down memory lane.
The book definitely glorifies Cobain, his music, his impact on pop culture and his position as a voice for a generation. It’s the last point that has really struck me this time around. Did he really speak for my generation? Lots of angst, the children of broken homes, the desire for something better. Maybe. But reading this book, the author breaks down lyric after lyric, saying see, see how this is speaking about Gen X in matters X, Y, Z. Yet at the same time, the author mentions that Cobain wrote the lyrics days before recording and culled them from notebooks of poetry. He cut and paste lines to fit into the song, so that almost every song is a collage. It’s almost as if the thesis is that the spokesman of a particular generation just threw up his psychological baggage against the wall coupled with guitar hooks to see what would stick, which led to a musical revolution, which in turn led to the revolution becoming the establishment (read “alternative” music).
I would dare say that Nirvana might not have reached the same heights in the internet age. An underground album that gains momentum that reaches #1 and crushes everything in its path, while bringing along a regional music scene? Imagine a Nirvana myspace page or Nirvana on TRL. It’s an interesting proposition.
I listened to first the half of Nevermind last night. It’s good. I was surprised how well it held up. I plan to listen and re-familiarize myself with the music and see where that leads me. This process has provoked the following question: Who is the spokesman for the following generations? Is there one? Can there be one unifying voice in an era where there hundreds of TV channels, millions of websites and several media conglomerates fighting for one’s attention? I don’t see how. We no longer live in a world where are shaped by a very select few. The world is truly at one’s fingertips. Everything is niche programming, and I would say that there is too much to search through. By the time Larry hits adolescence, the current fragments will have fragmented further until each individual forms his or her own media universe. Gone are the day of American Bandstand and Kasey Kasem. Now it’s mailto:kewlkid@gmail.com play lists on the ipod or zune or whatever. Watching TV on a standard is a thing of the past. Burger King was ahead of the curve when they said, “Have it your way.” Welcome to the future.
Enough of that. Over the weekend I watched Babel, which was pretty good. I watched it in several fragments, which dissipated the intensity and story telling. I’ll probably watch it on sitting in a couple of years and have a better feel for the movie as a whole. Remember, guns don’t kill people, people do.
Also . . .
Started season 2 of Rescue Me. I hate/love/want to be Denis Leary’s character. What a great show.
Watched Word Play, a fabulous movie about crosswords, the people who create them, the people who take the time to do them and the national championship of crosswords.
Listened to Stevie Ray Vaughan, live at Montreaux. Awesome.
Tony Kornheiser is back on the air. I strongly suggest subscribing to the podcast. Give it a week and you will either hate it (because you’re an idiot and don’t get it) or will love it and wonder how great it would be if you could sit around with your friends and gossip and dream and remember and rip on people and share and have a great time, all the while getting paid for it.
I gots to go.
The book definitely glorifies Cobain, his music, his impact on pop culture and his position as a voice for a generation. It’s the last point that has really struck me this time around. Did he really speak for my generation? Lots of angst, the children of broken homes, the desire for something better. Maybe. But reading this book, the author breaks down lyric after lyric, saying see, see how this is speaking about Gen X in matters X, Y, Z. Yet at the same time, the author mentions that Cobain wrote the lyrics days before recording and culled them from notebooks of poetry. He cut and paste lines to fit into the song, so that almost every song is a collage. It’s almost as if the thesis is that the spokesman of a particular generation just threw up his psychological baggage against the wall coupled with guitar hooks to see what would stick, which led to a musical revolution, which in turn led to the revolution becoming the establishment (read “alternative” music).
I would dare say that Nirvana might not have reached the same heights in the internet age. An underground album that gains momentum that reaches #1 and crushes everything in its path, while bringing along a regional music scene? Imagine a Nirvana myspace page or Nirvana on TRL. It’s an interesting proposition.
I listened to first the half of Nevermind last night. It’s good. I was surprised how well it held up. I plan to listen and re-familiarize myself with the music and see where that leads me. This process has provoked the following question: Who is the spokesman for the following generations? Is there one? Can there be one unifying voice in an era where there hundreds of TV channels, millions of websites and several media conglomerates fighting for one’s attention? I don’t see how. We no longer live in a world where are shaped by a very select few. The world is truly at one’s fingertips. Everything is niche programming, and I would say that there is too much to search through. By the time Larry hits adolescence, the current fragments will have fragmented further until each individual forms his or her own media universe. Gone are the day of American Bandstand and Kasey Kasem. Now it’s mailto:kewlkid@gmail.com play lists on the ipod or zune or whatever. Watching TV on a standard is a thing of the past. Burger King was ahead of the curve when they said, “Have it your way.” Welcome to the future.
Enough of that. Over the weekend I watched Babel, which was pretty good. I watched it in several fragments, which dissipated the intensity and story telling. I’ll probably watch it on sitting in a couple of years and have a better feel for the movie as a whole. Remember, guns don’t kill people, people do.
Also . . .
Started season 2 of Rescue Me. I hate/love/want to be Denis Leary’s character. What a great show.
Watched Word Play, a fabulous movie about crosswords, the people who create them, the people who take the time to do them and the national championship of crosswords.
Listened to Stevie Ray Vaughan, live at Montreaux. Awesome.
Tony Kornheiser is back on the air. I strongly suggest subscribing to the podcast. Give it a week and you will either hate it (because you’re an idiot and don’t get it) or will love it and wonder how great it would be if you could sit around with your friends and gossip and dream and remember and rip on people and share and have a great time, all the while getting paid for it.
I gots to go.
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2 comments:
What did you think of Wordplay? I've keep meaning to pick that up, but always seem to forget to do it. I tried for several times this summer, but the Hollywood Video's in Rochester, MN didn't have it.
it's good. i mean if you're not into crosswords at all, you may find yourself drifting away or using the words dork, nerd or antisocial idiot a lot.
if you're like me and enjoy the challenge of the occasional crossword, then it's very interesting.
president clinton's appearance is quite illuminating. say what you want his politics and philandering, but the guy is very smart and comes up with mindblowing analogy between crosswords and life.
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