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Rating: For many considered the lesser offspring of the Cobain band, for a few it represents instead a true manifesto for the windless generation of the late '80s.
Released by the independent label Sub Pop, "Bleach" together with other works such as Soundgarden's "Screaming Life" and Mudhoney's "Superfuzz Bigmuff" help to frame what was about to happen in the Seattle, Washington area.
Costing $600 and recorded in a few days at Reciprocal Recording by Jack Endino, "Bleach" presents hermetic or sometimes misinterpreted lyrics accompanied by a truly unique sound. In certain tracks specifically in Floyd The Barber, Paper Cuts, and Downer, we find Dale Crover behind the drums, the cover front is a photo taken of the band by Tracy Marander, while the interiors are by Charles Peterson. In the credits, Jason Everman is listed as the second guitarist, but he didn't play a single note on the album; instead, he lent the necessary $600 for the recording.
The record opens with the claustrophobic Blew where Cobain's dark singing is paired with guitar and bass that outline the pace, playing with a very low and distorted tone, Channing's drumming intoxicates you and the final solo slightly recalls that rock which is reminiscent of the '70s. Floyd The Barber with its more sustained tone somewhat resembles the Melvins, About A Girl foreshadows what Cobain would become in songwriting, as the melody predominates. With School, chaos returns and the only three phrases shouted by Cobain are as universal as they are true. Follows Love Buzz, the first flagship of Nirvana, initially printed as the A-side of the eponymous single, it is a cover of the Dutch Shocking Blue which they reinterpret and overwhelm in their own way. Paper Cuts reopens the dance with a sound between heavy and very loud, Negative Creep revisits a dark and depressed post-punk, Scoff suggests a very intimate theme, and Swap Meet comes straight from Aberdeen painting the cultural reality of the people and their way of life.
Mr Moustache with its riff ridicules the typical mustached macho middleman who beats up gays, rapes women, and discriminates against races, much hated by Cobain. Sifting seems to go against every kind of political and authoritative figure, Big Cheese and Downer close the album leaving us with the doubt of what Cobain really meant in those verses.
Tracklist Lyrics Samples and Videos
01 Blew (02:55)
If you wouldn't mind, I would like it blew
If you wouldn't mind, I would like to lose
If you wouldn't care, I would like to leave
If you wouldn't mind, I would like to breathe
Is there another reason for your stain?
Could you believe who we knew was stress or strain?
Here is another word that rhymes with shame
If you wouldn't mind, I would like it blew
If you wouldn't mind, I would like to lose
If you wouldn't care, I would like to leave
If you wouldn't mind, I would like to breathe
Is there another reason for your stain
Could you believe who we knew was stress or strain?
Here is another word that rhymes with shame
Is there another reason for your stain
Could you believe who we knew was stress or strain?
Here is another word that rhymes with shame
You could do anything
You could do anything
You could do anything
You could do anything
You could do anything
You could do anything
You could do anything
You could do anything
02 Floyd the Barber (02:16)
Bell door on clanks, come on in
Floyd observes my hairy chin
Sit down chair don't be afraid
Steamed hot towel on my face
I was shaved
I was shaved
I was shaved
Barney ties me to the chair
I can't see I'm really scared
Floyd breathes hard I hear a zip
Pee pee pressed against my lips
I was shamed
I was shamed
I was shamed
I sense others in the room
Opey, Aunt Bea, I presume
They take turns and cut me up
I died smothered in Andy's clutch
I was shaved
I was shaved
I was shaved
03 About a Girl (02:47)
I need an easy friend.
I do, with an ear to lend
I do, think you fit this shoe
I do, but you have a clue
I'll take advantage
While you hang me out to dry
But I can't see you every night for free
I do
I'm standing in your line
I do, hope you have the time
I do, pick a number two
I do, keep a date with you
I'll take advantage
While you hang me out to dry
But I can't see you every night for free
I do
I need an easy friend
I do, with an ear to lend
I do, think you fit this shoe
I do, but you have a clue
I'll take advantage
While you hang me out to dry
But I can't see you every night
No, I can't see you every night for free
I do, I do, I do, I do
04 School (02:42)
Won't you believe, it's just my luck
Won't you believe, it's just my luck
Won't you believe, it's just my luck
Won't you believe, it's just my luck
No recess
No recess
No recess
No recess
Won't you believe, it's just my luck
Won't you believe, it's just my luck
Won't you believe, it's just my luck
Won't you believe, it's just my luck
No recess
No recess
No recess
No recess
You're in high school again
You're in high school again
You're in high school again
You're in high school again
You're in high school again
You're in high school again
You're in high school again
You're in high school again
No recess
No recess
No recess
No recess
No recess
No recess
No recess
05 Love Buzz (03:34)
Would you believe me when I tell you
You are the queen of my heart
Please don't deceive me when I hurt you
Just ain't the way it seems
Can you feel my love buzz?
Can you feel my love buzz?
Can you feel my love buzz?
Can you feel my love buzz?
Would you believe me when I do you
You are the queen of my heart
Please don't deceive me when I hurt you
Just ain't the way it seems
Can you feel my love buzz?
Can you feel my love buzz?
Can you feel my love buzz?
Can you feel my love buzz?
06 Paper Cuts (04:06)
When I'm feeling tired
She pushed food through the door
And I crawl towards the crack of light
Sometimes I can't find my way
Newspapers spread around soaking all that they can
A cleaning is due again, a good hosing down
The lady whom I feel maternal love for
Can not look me in the eyes
But I see hers and they are blue
And they cock and twitch and masturbate
I said so
I said so
I said so
Nirvana
Nirvana
Nirvana
Nirvana
Nirvana
Nirvana
Black windows of paint I scratched with my nails
I see others just like me, why do they not try to escape?
They bring out the older ones, they point in my way
They come with a flash of light and take my family away
And very later I have learned to
Accept some friends or ridicule
My whole existence is for your amusement
And that is why I'm here with you
To take
Me with
You're right
Nirvana
Nirvana
Nirvana
Nirvana
Nirvana
Nirvana
Nirvana
Nirvana
07 Negative Creep (02:53)
This is out of our reach
This is out of our reach
This is out of our reach and it's grown
This is getting to be
This is getting to be
This is getting to be drone
I'm a negative creep
I'm a negative creep
I'm a negative creep and I'm stoned
And I'm stoned
I'm a negative creep
I'm a negative creep
I'm a negative creep and I'm
Daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
Daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
Daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
Daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
Daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
Daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
This is out of our range
This is out of our range
This is out of our range and it's crude
This is getting to be
This is getting to be
This is getting to be like drone
I'm a negative creep
I'm a negative creep
I'm a negative creep and I'm stoned
And I'm stoned
I'm a negative creep
I'm a negative creep
I'm a negative creep and I'm
Daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
Daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
Daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
Daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
Daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
Daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
Fuck!
Yeah!
Drone!
Stoned!
Daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
Daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
Daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
Daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
Daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
Daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
Daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
Daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
Daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
Daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
Daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
Daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
Daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
Daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
09 Swap Meet (03:02)
They lead a lifetime that is comfortable.
They travel far to keep their stomachs full.
They make their living off of arts and crafts.
The kind with seashells, driftwood, and burlap.
They make a deal when they come to town.
The Sunday swap meet is a battleground.
She loves him more than he will ever know.
He loves her more than he will ever show.
Keeps his cigarettes close to his heart.
Keeps her photographs close to her heart.
Keeps the bitterness close to the heart.
They lead a lifetime that is comfortable.
They travel far to keep their stomachs full.
They make their living off of arts and crafts.
The kind with seashells, driftwood, and burlap.
They make a deal when they come to town.
The Sunday swap meet is a battleground.
She loves him more than he will ever know.
He loves her more than he will ever show.
Keeps his cigarettes close to his heart.
Keeps her photographs close to her heart.
Keeps the bitterness close to the heart.
They lead a lifetime that is comfortable.
They travel far to keep their stomachs full.
They make their living off of arts and crafts.
The kind with seashells, driftwood, and burlap.
They make a deal when they come to town.
The Sunday swap meet is a battleground.
She loves him more than he will ever know.
He loves her more than he will ever show.
Keeps his cigarettes close to his heart.
Keeps her photographs close to her heart.
Keeps the bitterness close to the heart.
11 Sifting (05:23)
Afraid to grade
Wouldn't it be fun?
Cross, self loss
Wouldn't it be fun?
Wet your bed
Wouldn't it be fun?
Some fear none
Wouldn't it be fun?
Your eyes, teacher said
Your eyes, teacher said
Your eyes, teacher said
Preacher said
Don't have nothing for you
Don't have nothing for you
Don't have nothing for you
Don't have nothing for you
Don't have nothing for you
Don't have nothing for you
Don't have nothing for you
Spell the smell
Wouldn't it be fun?
Search for church
Wouldn't it be fun?
Wet your bed
Wouldn't it be fun?
Cold in cold
Wouldn't it be fun?
Your eyes, teacher said
Your eyes, teacher said
Your eyes, teacher said
Preacher said
Preacher said
Don't have nothing for you
Don't have nothing for you
Don't have nothing for you
Don't have nothing for you
Don't have nothing for you
Don't have nothing for you
Don't have nothing for you
Don't have nothing for you
Don't have nothing for you
Don't have nothing for you
Don't have nothing for you
Don't have nothing for you
Don't have nothing for you
Don't have nothing for you
Don't have nothing for you
Don't have nothing for you
12 Big Cheese (03:41)
Big cheese, make me
Mine says, "Go to the office"
Big cheese, make me
Mine says, "One that stays"
Black is black, straight back
Need more enemies
Show you all what a man is
Need more enemies
Big lies, make my
Mine says "Go to the office"
Big cheese, make me
Message? What is it?
Black is black, straight back
Need more enemies
She is glue, how are you?
Big cheese, make me
Mine says "Go to the office"
Big cheese, make me
Message? What is it?
Black is black, straight back
Need more enemies
She is glue, how are you?
Black is black, straight back
Need more enemies
Sure you are, but what am I?
Need more enemies
She is glue, how are you?
Need more enemies
Sure you are, but what am I?
13 Downer (01:43)
Portray sincerity, act out of loyalty
Defend every country, wish away pain
Hand out lobotomies to save little families
Surrealistic fantasy - bland, boring, plain
Hold me down in restitution
Living out your date with fusion
Is the whole fleece shun in bastard?
Don't feel guilty, master writing
Somebody said that they're not much like I am
I know I can
Make enough of the words as you go along
I sing then some
Sickening pessimist, hypocrite master
Conservative Communist, apocalyptic bastard
Thank you, dear God, for putting me on this Earth
I feel very privileged in debt for my thirst
Hold me down in restitution
Living out your date with fusion
Is the whole fleece shun in bastard?
Don't feel guilty, master writing
Somebody said that they're not much like I am
I know I can
Make enough of the words as you go along
I sing then some
14 Dive (03:54)
Je-sus
Pick me, pick me yeah
Let a lone, long signal
At least, at least, yeah
Everyone is hollow
Pick me, pick me yeah
Everyone is waiting
Pick me, pick me yeah
You can even pay them
Hey
Dive
Dive
Dive
Dive in me
Dive in me
Dive in me
Dive in me
Kiss this, kiss that yeah
Let a lone, long signal
At least, at least, yeah
You could be my hero
Pick me, pick me yeah
Everyone is waiting
Hit me, hit me yeah
I'm real good at hating
Hey
Dive
Dive
Dive
Dive in me
Dive in me
Dive in me
Dive in me
Dive
Dive
Dive
Dive in me
Dive in me
Dive in me
Dive in me
Dive in me
Dive in me
Dive in me
Dive in me
Dive in me
Dive in me
Dive in me
15 Sliver (02:13)
Mom and dad went to a show
They dropped me off at Grandpa Joe's
I kicked and screamed, said please don't go
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Had to eat my dinner there
Mashed potatos and stuff like that
I couldn't chew my meats too good
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
She said, well, don't you start your crying
Go outside and ride your bike
That's what I did, I killed my toe
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
After dinner, I had ice cream
I fell asleep and watched TV
I woke up in my mother's arms
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
I wanna be alone
17 Been a Son (01:55)
She should have stayed away from friends.
She should have had more time to spend.
She should have died when she was born.
She should have worn the crown of thorns.
She should have been a son.
She should have been a son.
She should have been a son.
She should have been a son.
She should have made her mother proud.
She should have stood out in a crowd.
She should have had another chance.
She should have fallen on her stance.
She should have been a son.
She should have been a son.
She should have been a son.
She should have been a son.
She should have stayed away from friends.
She should have had more time to spend.
She should have died when she was born.
She should have worn the crown of thorns.
She should have been a son.
She should have been a son.
She should have been a son.
19 Molly's Lips (01:49)
She said
She'd take me anywhere
She'd take me anywhere
As long as she stays with me
She said
She'd take me anywhere
She'd take me anywhere
As long as I stay clean
Kiss, kiss, Molly's lips
Kiss, kiss, Molly's lips
Kiss, kiss, Molly's lips
Kiss, kiss, Molly's lips
She said
She'd take me anywhere
She'd take me anywhere
As long as she stays with me
She said
She'd take me anywhere
She'd take me anywhere
As long as I stay clean
Kiss, kiss, Molly's lips
Kiss, kiss, Molly's lips
Kiss, kiss, Molly's lips
Kiss, kiss, Molly's lips
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Other reviews
By KurtTheFish
"Kurt Cobain hasn’t yet fully exploited his vocal talents, appearing stuck in a punk cliché that diminishes him."
"It’s a debut album and should be considered as such. Nothing extraordinary but a great starting point."
By Miki Page
"Bleach is an album with a raw, dirty, edgy, biting, hostile, tense, nervous sound."
"It is an album full of ideas and interesting, conceived in a punk metal key, with a massive and viscous sound (grunge, in short!)."
By thetrooper
Bleach is neither punk, metal, nor alternative; it is much more: it is the ensemble, the coagulation of these genres into a single captivating sound.
If you are looking for the pop-punk of songs like 'Come As You Are,' 'Smells Like Teen Spirit,' and 'In Bloom,' forget this review and don’t buy the album.
By telespallabob771
Bleach is a terrible album.
Cobain showed me/us that sphere of light that radiates anger and empathy, suffering and warmth, his and our soul.
By masturbatio
Bleach is a masterpiece because it has a punk attitude, but it’s heavier, hits the right spot at the right time without style.
The hatred Kurt screamed I internalized, idealized, scrutinized like a lover, and in the end, I had almost forgotten how much it represented for me.
