THE GRUNGE MATCH - 026
Match 026:
Alice In Chains "God Smack" (1992)
Nirvana "D-7" (1992)
Pearl Jam "Not For You" (1994)
Soundgarden "Get On The Snake" (1989)
"God Smack" is actually the most upbeat song on "Dirt", and of course it's about heroin use. And it inspired a certain band from Boston to name themselves after it, no matter how much they try to deny it. This song is kind of a bridge between the material of "Facelift" that was a little less "Chains"-y and the morose, sludge of "Dirt". The lyrics and delivery aren't quite right for the subject matter; they're a little too playful, especially in retrospect. But whatev. Drugs are fun at the beginning, I guess.
"D-7" is from an import EP called "Hormoaning", and...that's kind of the only remarkable thing about it. It's almost a parody of a post-grunge song, but it's done by one of the originators of grunge in the year that it took over North America. At least, that's the first half. Then it's like they do a punk version of the shitty post-grunge ballad they just did, which is certainly better. Not sure why we had to sit through 90 seconds of schlock for this but I guess it's a'ight.
"Not For You" is a decided de-escalation after the opening salvo of "Last Exit" and "Spin The Black Circle", but again, Eddie Vedder keeps it forceful with his performance. Thankfully, at six minutes, the song has a bit of dynamics to it, because even as cool as the rhythm is, there's not much variation from the one riff and no variation from the beat. The quiet section about four minutes in is a welcome respite. The song, I realize now, especially after reading how this album and "Vs." were made, is aimed at the public. "This is Not For You | It never was for you | Fuck you! This is Not For You!" This is when the band was close to imploding from the pressure of trying to do everything their way: No music videos, no Ticketmaster, no adhering to expectations ("Vitalogy" is a weird fuckin' record)...By their own admission, it ruined their career and almost broke them up.
"Get On The Snake" is humdrum, but at least it's got a groove and isn't trying to be two things at once like "D-7". I guess that's enough for a 2.
"Not For You": 4
"God Smack": 3
"Get On The Snake": 2
"D-7": 1
TOTALS:
Pearl Jam: 87
Alice In Chains: 66
Nirvana: 63
Soundgarden: 44
Match 027 tomorrow!
Alice In Chains "God Smack" (1992)
Nirvana "D-7" (1992)
Pearl Jam "Not For You" (1994)
Soundgarden "Get On The Snake" (1989)
"God Smack" is actually the most upbeat song on "Dirt", and of course it's about heroin use. And it inspired a certain band from Boston to name themselves after it, no matter how much they try to deny it. This song is kind of a bridge between the material of "Facelift" that was a little less "Chains"-y and the morose, sludge of "Dirt". The lyrics and delivery aren't quite right for the subject matter; they're a little too playful, especially in retrospect. But whatev. Drugs are fun at the beginning, I guess.
"D-7" is from an import EP called "Hormoaning", and...that's kind of the only remarkable thing about it. It's almost a parody of a post-grunge song, but it's done by one of the originators of grunge in the year that it took over North America. At least, that's the first half. Then it's like they do a punk version of the shitty post-grunge ballad they just did, which is certainly better. Not sure why we had to sit through 90 seconds of schlock for this but I guess it's a'ight.
"Not For You" is a decided de-escalation after the opening salvo of "Last Exit" and "Spin The Black Circle", but again, Eddie Vedder keeps it forceful with his performance. Thankfully, at six minutes, the song has a bit of dynamics to it, because even as cool as the rhythm is, there's not much variation from the one riff and no variation from the beat. The quiet section about four minutes in is a welcome respite. The song, I realize now, especially after reading how this album and "Vs." were made, is aimed at the public. "This is Not For You | It never was for you | Fuck you! This is Not For You!" This is when the band was close to imploding from the pressure of trying to do everything their way: No music videos, no Ticketmaster, no adhering to expectations ("Vitalogy" is a weird fuckin' record)...By their own admission, it ruined their career and almost broke them up.
"Get On The Snake" is humdrum, but at least it's got a groove and isn't trying to be two things at once like "D-7". I guess that's enough for a 2.
"Not For You": 4
"God Smack": 3
"Get On The Snake": 2
"D-7": 1
TOTALS:
Pearl Jam: 87
Alice In Chains: 66
Nirvana: 63
Soundgarden: 44
Match 027 tomorrow!
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