LogFAQs > #955390009

168. Nirvana Lithium (1991)
from the album Nevermind

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkcJEvMcnEg

Key lyrics:
Im so ugly, thats okay, cause so are you

Nirvana were open about the influence of the Pixies on their music, and Lithium is a clear example. This is one of the ultimate quiet-loud tracks, remaining just subdued enough to stand out among many that exploded into outright fury. Though Smells Like Teen Spirit will always stand as the biggest track off Nevermind, Lithium feels the most refined. Its not because Lithium lacks their confrontational attitude, but that its channeled in a unique direction. The loud burst suggests mania instead of anger. As such, the chorus comes off as disconcertingly celebratory. Something feels just off, but its easy to get lost in the simple chanting of yeah, yeah!

Though the quiet-loud dynamic was key to the alternative rock movement, it is clear many bands put more emphasis on the loud half of the equation. After all, that burst of energy acted as an easy payoff. On Lithium, Nirvana made both halves equally enticing. The quieter verses are full of clever lines and contradictions, while the instrumentation is affecting enough that it could support a full song alone. Yet the thump of the bass drum adds a tinge of tension to set up the impending burst. In the excessiveness of the 90s rock scene, few bands had any reason to hold back. Lithium captures the best of its era, but its relative restraint granted it lasting distinction.

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My top 100 games (with write-ups): https://foolfantastic.com/top-100-video-games-project/