An Introduction to 33 & 1/3

            Before we get into the nitty gritty details of what I intend this blog on being and what is actually is, perhaps you can consider the situation you've perhaps found yourself in. You've stumbled across this blog one way or another (one particular way a good 98% more likely than any of the others). Regardless of however you've found yourself here, I think you have the right to know what’s going on and how it will proceed to go on.

            Thirty-three and a Third will be centered around music. There will be a weekly album review and possibly some other content involving the discussion of music; maybe even news. However, this post will be the one exception. For this week, I've decided to do a track review as opposed to a complete album review for the sake of time. Call me lazy, but I’d rather do this than dive right into a post of significant length and involvement. I’d like this to be an easy, but critical read, as I would for my future reviews. But, keep in mind after this full album reviews will commence. If anyone would like me to review a record in particular, leave a comment letting me know and I will consider.

           

          Now, onto the track review. The track I’ll be taking the pleasure in reviewing is going to bring us back to the early 90's alternative rock scene, plunging us into a grungy cavern lined with power chords and raspy vocals. This particular track is Nirvana's Love Buzz, one of two singles released on their debut record, Bleach. Bleach was released in 1989 near the beginning of Nirvana's professional career. Love Buzz is a cover of the original song by the band known as Shocking Blue.

                                                                 Album art for Nirvana's debut record, Bleach.

           Love Buzz, the 5th track on the record, opens with a poppy bass riff that is sure to get stuck in your head after listening. Then, as the track progresses, the drum's cymbal initially cracks, the fill eventually leading into Kurt Cobain's rigid and messy guitar. As the verse begins, the lead guitar fades and the bass continues plucking away. Kurt joins in with his gravelly vocals. After spitting out the lyrics, "Would you believe me when I tell you, you're the queen of my heart," and, "Please don't deceive me when I hurt you. Just ain't the way it seems," the lead guitar finds it way back into the music, providing a driving rehash of the guitar riff chugging along at the beginning.

           After the typical verse-chorus-verse song structure, the solo comes along. One particular thing Kurt Cobain seemed to be excessively talented at was strangling his guitar. This provides the seemingly trademarked Nirvana-y chaos you'd expect from them, the sporadic notes and off-beat chugs of the guitar plunging its way to the end of the song.

                                           Nirvana's lead vocalist and guitarist, Kurt Cobain, destroying a guitar on set.

          Overall, there are many different things I believe this track does well, and there are many different things I think this track doesn't do very well. First of all, for one of two singles on a debut record, this thing is pretty solid. The catchy bass line grabs and hold onto you tight while guiding you through Kurt's disorderly, yet effective performance. The track also implements a series of more or less quiet verses, only to explode into the guitar-driven choruses. This adds to the hook of the song; the quiet verses allow for easy sing-along and gradual build-up to the choruses, and when the choruses hit the listener can go all out. Punch a wall or two, smash a guitar over a drum set, because the powerful chorus is a good excuse to do so. On the other side of the spectrum, however, there are some aspects of this track that could be better. For example, while the guitar-strangling is engaging in the solo section, it can be somewhat overbearing. The lyrics are simple, and because of this they carry a vague meaning. However, I believe lyrics should be interpreted by the listener. What do you think the lyrics mean? Feel free to comment and shed some light onto the situation. Keep in mind, however, that this is a cover song and the lyrics are not written by Nirvana.

        Nirvana's Love Buzz is a pretty solid track. If you're into grunge and 90's alternative rock, then I would definitely recommend this for you. While it may not be as common audience friendly as some of their other tracks, such as Come As You Are or Lithium, it is still a wonderful and somewhat overlooked release by them. If you wish to listen to this song, click the video link below, and perhaps after listening let me know what you think in the comments.