Just an Observation
Posted on January 12, 2004 in RantsDuring the beginning of the New Year, its not uncommon to see on VH1 the "Top 100 Rock Artists of all time". It's interesting to watch these things, whether their rated by people in the industry or via viewer voting, because I feel these lists sometimes get skewed when an artist dies before their time is up.
Listen, I think nirvana is one of the most influential bands ever, I really do like them. I think there a great group of musicians, and they were exploring a genre that had yet to be discovered, and they spoke to a large audience of anti-social teenagers. But what has kept them at the top of everyone's list, their career ended tragically with Kurt's death. They didn't have a chance to release another four album whereas the sales dipped and people got sick of his whiny voice and Kurt was experimenting with the accordion.
Pearl Jam when they released "Ten" they received similar acclaims but you HARDLY ever see Eddie Vedder on the top of these lists. If Pearl Jam had a similar tragedy right after "Ten" and they didn't release the subsequent seven albums he would be as revered as Kurt Cobain, no doubt maybe even more!
So there is defiantly something to be said for hanging things up at the pinnacle of your career.
Honorable mentions … Bob Marley, Selena, Aaliyah and Sublime. All great artists that didn't have time to ruin their "godlike" status.
I hesitate to put Bob Marley on that list only due to the fact that he released about 4 albums before he passed. But he did become a lot larger after this death than he was in his lifetime.
I think Jay-Z realizes this and this is why he is saying this will be his "Last" album. But i'm sure we will soon be seeing him as a producer and owner of a record label (if he already dosent own one)
What did I miss and or who did I piss off?

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You hit the nail on the head, although I do think Nirvana is genius. If Britney had tragically died after "Baby Hit Me One More Time," she would probably be on the list despite lacking musicality and talent.
Also, the Colts are SOO taking down the Patriots. I don't care if Vinatieri is from South Dakota. And, here's to second favorite teams that don't suck as much as first favorite teams (Dallas).
On a side note, Jay-Z is a producer and owner of a record label. That's where he makes all of his money, and that's why he can afford to stop making albums.
I think its going to be a good game, you are entitled to your opinion, but I dont think the Colts will win. (knock on wood)
I do like the Colts normally, a very enjoyable team to watch. But they haven't played a good defense in the post season. Get ready for a few sacks Payton. But they looked FANTASTIC yesterday.
They haven't used their punter in two games. That's pretty impressive. And, I agree that their defense needs to step up.
Manning is almost as good as Harbaugh in his glory days. :)
I was discussing with my roomate and a friend all day yesterday on who we would rather play.
We decided that we didnt want to play Indy. But that didn't work out for us.
You will be punting on Sunday.
Here's my compromise. If the Colts punt, the Patriots have to punt too. And if the Colts don't punt, the Patriots still have to.
ok, but our punter [ken walter] sucks. Do we have to have our punter kick or can Brady?
I strongly agree with you on the Nirvana thing and how they show up on these lists. I disagree however that they were genius or influenced music in a way the music media wants you to believe. As you say, if they came out with another album or two and he didn't die we wouldn't even be talking about this. Nirvana was way over-rated. And now it is "cool" to like them. People like them because they think they are supposed to.
As for the Pats, Indy will lose. Indy hasn’t used a punter because they have played against defenses that are not very good. The Patriots are very good on defense; so good that I believe they stopped that offense four times in a row on the 1-yard line the last time we played. For having such an explosive offense that sucks. What everyone, including the announcers of yesterday’s game failed to talk much about is that KC didn’t use their punter and put up some good numbers. Be happy you are even coming to Foxboro.
Ouch, that hurts.
1) I personally believe that Nirvana is great. They are not overrated to me. Their greatness is not debatable to me in my little world, but it sure can be for everyone else in their little worlds. And I don't like them because they are "cool." I like them because I just do.
2) I realize KC put up some good numbers (including a controversial recalled touchdown by Gonzalez). And I hope all the Indy players are taking ice baths right now to temper themselves for the weather they will likely encounter in Foxboro.
As of now it looks like Indy is going to get a break because right now its forcasted to be 32 degrees. Hardly cold for anyone thats been in the Boston area for the past week.
I remember being the biggest nirvana fan when nevermind came out. I can tell you the first day I heard it what I was doing they are a great band dont get me wrong.
You were 12, were you getting your first kiss or drinking some budweiser in the school yard? I kid ... :)
The only thing good that came out of Nirvava is the Foo Fighters.
Actually I wasnt a degenerate when I was younger, surprise surprise. That happened when I turned 18 :)
I must have been 12ish, and my scout troop was camping down in Washington DC, and my buddy SJ played me the album. Foo Fighters rock too.
Just to review:
Pats win sunday - It's another squeaker. Lots of punts for Nicole. Great defensive battle, and I drink lots of beer.
I want to comment but I can't do it.
Yes I can....Nirvana is NOT over-rated, they DID influence and change music, so did Soundgarden and Pearl Jam (in the 90's). Nirvana is great. I seriously doubt anyone really likes Nirvana just to be cool. It just so happens "cool people" like Nirvana. You can like Nirvana and not be cool. You can be cool and not like Nirvana. What you can't do is deny them their props (that's "propers" for the white kids) and tell me they would have faded out and stunk it up if they were still around. I would beg to differ. There was way too much talent involved in Nirvana and the way those 3 guys came together and rocked, is/was fuckin A awesome.
P.S. Britney Spears will never be on that list.
I am so sick and tired of hearing from these "I miss grunge" rockers glorifying Nirvana. Kurt Cobain was nothing more than an overly depressed druggie who snorted too much whack and shot himself. His music was mediocre at best. The whole Seattle music scene was responsible for moving music forward in the early 90's - not Nirvana. You want to talk about influential, talk about The Beatles. Until then, use something on those armpits, because your comments "Smell like teen Spirit!"
Your clever little word play won't trick me into liking them! They are over-rated so you will have to beg.
And let me clarify - Kurt Cobain is the over-rated one.
So if there was no Nirvana in the 90's how would things be different today? Are you telling me the whole Seattle scene would have never happened and grunge would not have caught on.
Nothing would be different aside from this conversation.
Yet nobody has mentioned Sublime. I think there great too ,,. but a tad overrated as well.
Your all a bunch of muck lucks who seem desperate to be in a generation that actually produced something good. I submit to your comments on the shaky grounds of your inexperience and sheltered lives. Thank You and good day.
I kept the rational comments. Deleted the others. Comments closed.