What Would've Their Next Album Been Like? -Nirvana

[chipdip18]

Inspired by a discussion on www.sunonthesand.net (http://www.sunonthesand.net) , i'd like to try to start a few of these discussions. Please give some thoughtful discussion, and feel free to add questions, and suggestions for artists next time.

Let's start with Nirvana.

- What would have happened after In Utero?
- Does the Live Album from '94 give us any idea of where they could have gone?
- Would have it have hindered, or helped their career?
- Would their sound has changed dramatically? Or not at all?
- Would their influence have been altered at all?
- Would Foo Fighters have gotten a chance to start well if Dave Grohl was still focusing on Nirvana?

[kwsqd]

Inspired by a discussion on www.sunonthesand.net (http://www.sunonthesand.net) , i'd like to try to start a few of these discussions. Please give some thoughtful discussion, and feel free to add questions, and suggestions for artists next time.

Let's start with Nirvana.

- What would have happened after In Utero?
- Does the Live Album from '94 give us any idea of where they could have gone?
- Would have it have hindered, or helped their career?
- Would their sound has changed dramatically? Or not at all?
- Would their influence have been altered at all?
- Would Foo Fighters have gotten a chance to start well if Dave Grohl was still focusing on Nirvana?

Nice avatar.

Probably would have done very little good.. maybe hindered their career. Sound would not have changed much. Influence would be the same, if not.. less.

[Rawrr]

Still be overated, prob.

[SanePsychotic]

I don't think they'd be as influential. I can't really contribute much since I'm not a Nirvana fan, but from what I have listened to I think that them changing their sound too much would have alienated their fanbase to an extent that they would have broken up within a few years. There might have been one more album but I don't think there would have been much more than that.

[ThisIsNotDan]

it's very possible that their next album would've either sounded like a cross between their two major label releases, or they would've continued down the path of not being very radio-friendly. either way I don't think they'd be as overrated as they are today because Kurt Cobain wouldn't have killed himself, and thousands of impressionable teenagers wouldn't think he was the second coming of Jesus because he died early.

also, the Foo's would probably be regulated to side project status, and we wouldn't have their first three records, three of the best records from the 90's imo.

[chipdip18]

Good input so far.

[ThisIsNotDan]

great topic idea, by the way

[Kid B]

Would have been great probably (it's Nirvana), but I'm fine with the way things went.

[chipdip18]

great topic idea, by the way

Thanks, i'm trying to start stuff up again like the Classic Album Discussions. Those are interesting to at least read through, and it usually gives some good information for users.

Would have been great probably (it's Nirvana), but I'm fine with the way things went.

Well, i'm not sure. It's hard to say since they didn't have a big discography, but my guess is that things would have changed with a fourth full length. The newest songs prior to Cobain's death suggested maybe a different direction. The most curious part is how the fanbase, media, and music listeners in general would have responded to it.

[mimexcore]

I don't think they'd be as influential. I can't really contribute much since I'm not a Nirvana fan, but from what I have listened to I think that them changing their sound too much would have alienated their fanbase to an extent that they would have broken up within a few years. There might have been one more album but I don't think there would have been much more than that.

My thoughts exactly; the band would probablly spiral into break up and Cobain wouldn't be as much of an icon has he is now.

Death or reclusion generally seems to be the path that leads various artists in pop music into a state of being an icon.

[Until The Bombs]

it's very possible that their next album would've either sounded like a cross between their two major label releases, or they would've continued down the path of not being very radio-friendly.

They received a lot of radio play.


either way I don't think they'd be as overrated as they are today because Kurt Cobain wouldn't have killed himself, and thousands of impressionable teenagers wouldn't think he was the second coming of Jesus because he died early.

What your saying is similar to claiming that kids over the last two decades wouldn't have loved The Beatles if Lennon hadn't been killed. Granted to a much lesser extent and The Beatles had already broken up. This could go on to include the countless number of artists who've passed once they had already established themselves. Nirvana isn't an Elliott Smith or Jeff Buckley case.


also, the Foo's would probably be regulated to side project status, and we wouldn't have their first three records, three of the best records from the 90's imo.

This is obviously 100% speculation, your guess could be better than mine, but I think Grohl would have just quit the band. He obviously has a passion for doing more than "just" playing the drums. If he couldn't split his time between both bands, he would have left.

I don't think they'd be as influential. I can't really contribute much since I'm not a Nirvana fan, but from what I have listened to I think that them changing their sound too much would have alienated their fanbase to an extent that they would have broken up within a few years. There might have been one more album but I don't think there would have been much more than that.

Not gonna argue the potential breakup, but the success of Unplugged in particular leads me to believe that they would have continued to be popular regardless of their sound. They'd lose some fans and gains some fans, as all larger acts do.

[ThisIsNotDan]

They received a lot of radio play.

yes but their sound started to get a bit less commercial, and they may have very well continued down that path

What your saying is similar to claiming that kids over the last two decades wouldn't have loved The Beatles if Lennon hadn't been killed. Granted to a much lesser extent and The Beatles had already broken up. This could go on to include the countless number of artists who've passed once they had already established themselves. Nirvana isn't an Elliott Smith or Jeff Buckley case.

like someone a few posts up said, death or reclusion arguably boosted Cobain's popularity. it's just something that happens (i.e. Brad Nowell of Sublime).

This is obviously 100% speculation, your guess could be better than mine, but I think Grohl would have just quit the band. He obviously has a passion for doing more than "just" playing the drums. If he couldn't split his time between both bands, he would have left.

this could very well be

[Rodeo]

Kurt had such bad stomach problems and such a bad fucking habit that another record wouldn't have happened anyway.

[chipdip18]

Kurt had such bad stomach problems and such a bad fucking habit that another record wouldn't have happened anyway.

Really? I had no idea. I'm pretty sure he would have worked for another album anyway.

[GuitarR0cker1]

Kurt had such bad stomach problems and such a bad fucking habit that another record wouldn't have happened anyway.
His stomach problems had ended by early 94 and I remember him stating in most late interviews that his life had never been better so I assume if he hadn't shot himself Nirvana definitley would have made a new record in the vein of their unplugged stuff.

[micahistheballs]

Not that I in anyway disaprove of the free publicity, but what did we write that led you to think of this?
I'd assume our speculation of a future NMH record, but I could be wrong.

[TheOtherAndrew]

I've got Do Re Mi from the box set, so I'm happy.

[Rodeo]

His stomach problems had ended by early 94 and I remember him stating in most late interviews that his life had never been better so I assume if he hadn't shot himself Nirvana definitley would have made a new record in the vein of their unplugged stuff.

Kurt DIED on April 5th, 1994. That qualifies as "early '94" to me. His stomach problems were still very very band until the day he died and they are, to this day, still undiagnosed.

[GuitarR0cker1]

Kurt DIED on April 5th, 1994. That qualifies as "early '94" to me. His stomach problems were still very very band until the day he died and they are, to this day, still undiagnosed.
No shit sherlock, I know that. His stomach problems may have been undiagnosed but he has stated in interviews leading up to his death that the problems weren't bothering him as much.

[chipdip18]

Not that I in anyway disaprove of the free publicity, but what did we write that led you to think of this?

I'd assume our speculation of a future NMH record, but I could be wrong.

Yeah, it was about the future Neutral Milk Hotel speculation. I think some more discussion about artists in similar cases could be interesting and thought-provoking.

[Rodeo]

No shit sherlock, I know that. His stomach problems may have been undiagnosed but he has stated in interviews leading up to his death that the problems weren't bothering him as much.


That's because he had $5000 per DAY of heroin to fight it!



"No shit sherlock" ? hahahha who says that?

[Until The Bombs]

yes but their sound started to get a bit less commercial, and they may have very well continued down that path

They are largely credited with bringing alternative rock to the mainstream. Some bands change the landscape of what is commercial. Nirvana was one of them. So while In Utero was rougher than Nevermind, there was nothing un-radio-friendly about this band.

like someone a few posts up said, death or reclusion arguably boosted Cobain's popularity. it's just something that happens (i.e. Brad Nowell of Sublime).
This and this:

and thousands of impressionable teenagers wouldn't think he was the second coming of Jesus because he died early.
are not the same.

[ThisIsNotDan]

They are largely credited with bringing alternative rock to the mainstream. Some bands change the landscape of what is commercial. Nirvana was one of them. So while In Utero was rougher than Nevermind, there was nothing un-radio-friendly about this band.


This and this:


are not the same.

That they did, but I think they were clearly taking a path that made them a bit less commercial. of course there were very catchy and radio friendly songs on IU, but there are some that radio wouldn't touch. Personally I think they would've continued down that path, but to each their own.

and arguably, I don't think he'd be as idolized if he was still alive, which is why I said that

[Rodeo]

and arguably, I don't think he'd be as idolized if he was still alive, which is why I said that


That's such a generalized and common sense answer though.


The reality is that the guy was a god on earth even while he was alive. I remember it clearly. There were people that were so gripped by him that they copycatted his suicide and took their own lives within HOURS of hearing of his death. We don't have rockstars and bands like that anymore.

[x togepi x]

i always laugh my ass off when someone is like NIRVANA SUCKS AND IS OVERRATED. THE FOO FIGHTERS WERE BETTER.

this band probably would have broken up in the middle of their follow up to in utero. cobain goes on to release solo albums, the orgcore trend of people in punk bands playing folk music starts like ten years earlier.

[DilesMavis]

Random. I'm watching Kurt Cobain/About a Son right now, it's pretty good so far.

[Until The Bombs]

That they did, but I think they were clearly taking a path that made them a bit less commercial. of course there were very catchy and radio friendly songs on IU, but there are some that radio wouldn't touch. Personally I think they would've continued down that path, but to each their own.

Based off sales, radio play this is just wrong. Like I said, sometime artists are capable of changing the landscape of commercial music. What is considered commercial changes based off artists like this, the term is not at a standstill.

and arguably, I don't think he'd be as idolized if he was still alive, which is why I said that
There is a difference between saying he wouldn't be as idolized and:

thousands of impressionable teenagers wouldn't think he was the second coming of Jesus because he died early.


To say so is to completely ignore how successful, respected, and idolized Cobain was before his death and again wrong.

[x togepi x]

the band purposely left their ~20 minute noise jams off their albums. i'm pretty sure they cared about being radio friendly because of that.

[chipdip18]

i always laugh my ass off when someone is like NIRVANA SUCKS AND IS OVERRATED. THE FOO FIGHTERS WERE BETTER.

this band probably would have broken up in the middle of their follow up to in utero. cobain goes on to release solo albums, the orgcore trend of people in punk bands playing folk music starts like ten years earlier.

This is a very interesting take on things, and somewhat agreeable. I think that they could have finished an album following In Utero before they broke up though, because of pressures by the label and media and so forth to make some money, etc., but the band may start to feel struggles within themselves while making a fourth album. I mean we've got Kurt Cobain, changing up the sound so something softer and not as grungy, and Dave Grohl who clearly wanted to continue something in the vein of Rock with the emergance of Foo Fighters on the horizon. I think that a fourth album, in that sense, probably would have turned out poorly for fans and media together, and therefore leading to the end of Nirvana.

So, possibly, assuming it played out this way, Nirvana would have gone out with a mediocre last album, and Kurt Cobain leading ( as togepi put it) "the orgcore trend of people in punk bands playing folk music ten years earlier" and Dave Grohl starting up Foo Fighters, maybe losing one of their earlier albums. And an epic rival between them would begin.

[chipdip18]

so is this thread done? If so, are there some other artists who've gone that you'd like to speculate a future album about?

[GuitarR0cker1]

That's because he had $5000 per DAY of heroin to fight it!



"No shit sherlock" ? hahahha who says that?
Holy shit so much heroin. I didn't know that, interesting.

lol I guess I do. I say some odd shit.