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Rating: THE REVIEW
In 1989, the first album of the world's most famous grunge band, Nirvana, led by Kurt Cobain, emerged, but "Bleach" is profoundly different from its successors (especially compared to "Nevermind" and "In Utero"). In fact, there is very little grunge here, but a lot of mixture of various genres. Every rule and label is disregarded. This album is neither punk, metal, nor alternative; it is much more: it is the ensemble, the coagulation of these genres into a single captivating sound that is reflected in the notes of "Negative Creep," "School" (the most metal song Cobain ever wrote, later revisited by the Fear Factory), "Blew" (strong punk rock influence), and then there is the premonition of "About A Girl", more in line with what the group would do in "Nevermind".
This Nirvana album is perhaps the most difficult to listen to for those who appreciate (or love) mainstream, bone-deep albums like "Nevermind", but for those who are full steam ahead with raw, dirty sounds and more "heavy" "Bleach" is excellent because it appeals to many rock fans in general. However, 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; you will be disappointed.
Among the curiosities of this record is the appearance of guitarist Jason Everman on the back cover lineup, who, in fact, didn't play a single note but did much more, he lent the $600 needed to record the 14 tracks, thus earning the honor. One must commend the work behind the drums by Chad Channing, who (unfortunately) will later be replaced by Dave Grohl, for the commercial turn of "Nevermind", due to his overly heavy playing style.
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Summary by Bot
Nirvana's 1989 debut album Bleach presents a raw, genre-blending sound distinctly different from their later mainstream work. It merges punk, metal, and alternative influences across tracks like Negative Creep and School. Though challenging for fans of Nevermind's polished style, Bleach is a heavy, captivating record admired for its raw energy. Notable contributions include Chad Channing's drumming and Jason Everman's financial support. This album appeals to fans seeking gritty, heavy rock.Tracklist Lyrics Videos
Nirvana
American rock band formed in the late 1980s, fronted by Kurt Cobain with Krist Novoselic and later Dave Grohl. Broke into the mainstream with Nevermind (1991) and released In Utero (1993); Cobain died in 1994.77 Reviews
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 giustarantino1
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.
Love Buzz, the first flagship of Nirvana, initially printed as the A-side of the eponymous single, is a cover they reinterpret and overwhelm in their own way.
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.
