Nel gennaio 1988 un certo Kurt Cobain prenota a nome del suo gruppo una sala di registrazione ai Reciprocal Studios di Seattle, dove lavora il produttore Jack Endino. "Mi telefonò questo gruppo sbucato dal nulla." ricorda Endino "Vogliamo venire a registrare un po' di canzoni, dissero". Nessuno poteva immaginare cosa sarebbe diventato quel "gruppo sbucato dal nulla" in meno di tre anni.
Composto dal leader/cantante/chitarrista Kurt Cobain, dal bassista Chris Novoselic e dal batterista Dale Crover, il trio non ha ancora un nome definitivo all'epoca. Il giorno stabilito registra una decina di canzoni, ringrazia, saluta e non si fa più sentire per cinque mesi. A giugno entra di nuovo in sala di registrazione con qualche assestamento: il nome è stato scelto, Nirvana, e il batterista ora è Chad Channing. Registra una sola canzone che sarà il loro primo singolo, "Love Buzz", una cover degli Shoking Blue, pubblicato poco dopo dall'etichetta Sub Pop. La leggenda dei Nirvana è cominciata. Cobain però ha abbastanza materiale per poter realizzare un album, e così i Nirvana tornano in studio per sei sedute di registrazione tra la vigilia di Natale del 1988 e il 24 gennaio 1989. È soprattutto da queste sedute (solo tre brani verranno recuperati dalle precedenti) che vedrà la luce "Bleach" (candeggina), il primo album del gruppo, pubblicato nel giugno 1989 sempre dalla Sub Pop. "Bleach" è un album dal sound grezzo, sporco, spigoloso, graffiante, ostile, teso, nervoso. Niente a che vedere con i lavori successivi. È anche un disco che ci mostra un Kurt Cobain diverso, che è sì frustato e condizionato dal difficile rapporto con i genitori, ma che è solo un ragazzo di 21 anni ancora lontano da quel vortice di pazzia e droga che lo risucchierà successivamente e da cui non riuscirà più a liberarsi. Le canzoni evidenziano una vena di compositore ancora un po' acerba e non sfruttata del tutto, ma non per questo meno efficace e produttiva. Basti pensare a episodi brillanti come "School" o "About A Girl". Parte di questa "acerbità" è dovuta in parte anche al fatto che Cobain trascura ancora molto i testi: di solito sono pochi versi ripetuti più volte (come in "School", "About A Girl", "Scoff" o "Swap Meet"), per gran parte scritti la notte prima di registrare le canzoni. "Allora ci interessava solo la musica" ricorderà successivamente lo stesso Cobain. E sotto questo aspetto "Bleach" non delude assolutamente. I pesanti e ossessivi riff di chitarra di "Blew" e "Floyd The Barber", la frenetica aggressività di "Negative Creep", "School" e "Mr. Moustache", la chitarra pungente di "Scoff", il riff semipsichedelico di "Love Buzz", il pop rock di "About A Girl", la lenta e viscida "Paper Cuts", l'alternanza strofa sommessa/ritornello urlato e lo schizofrenico ritmo di "Downer" e le urla di Cobain sono le caratteristiche che rendono "Bleach" un album atipico, insolito, una piccola gemma troppo spesso trascurata.
L'unico difetto del disco è che è un po' troppo ripetitivo. Sarebbe stato meglio ridurre il numero delle canzoni di due o tre unità: verso la fine dell'album infatti l'ascoltatore medio può risultare un po' stanco del passo ponderoso e sofferto delle composizioni che caratterizza "Bleach". Quest'unica pecca però non va a danneggiare sensibilmente il valore di un album che ha da dire molto di più di quel poco che è stato detto su di lui. Tuttavia è probabile che il sound di "Bleach" fosse quello che Cobain aveva pensato per i Nirvana: tuttavia per vari motivi in seguito non si proseguì più su questa strada e questo discorso musicale non venne più ripreso. Concludendo, "Bleach" può risultare un lavoro difficile da assimilare, specie per quelli che prediligono il suono "pulito" e il punk pop di "Nevermind"; è però un album pieno di spunti e interessante pensato in chiave punk metal, e dal suono massiccio e vischioso (grunge, insomma!); un ottimo preludio per il terremoto (musicale e non) che si scatenerà dopo.
Elenco tracce testi samples e video
01 Blew (02:55)
If you wouldn't mind, I would like it blew
If you wouldn't mind, I would like to lose
If you wouldn't care, I would like to leave
If you wouldn't mind, I would like to breathe
Is there another reason for your stain?
Could you believe who we knew was stress or strain?
Here is another word that rhymes with shame
If you wouldn't mind, I would like it blew
If you wouldn't mind, I would like to lose
If you wouldn't care, I would like to leave
If you wouldn't mind, I would like to breathe
Is there another reason for your stain
Could you believe who we knew was stress or strain?
Here is another word that rhymes with shame
Is there another reason for your stain
Could you believe who we knew was stress or strain?
Here is another word that rhymes with shame
You could do anything
You could do anything
You could do anything
You could do anything
You could do anything
You could do anything
You could do anything
You could do anything
02 Floyd the Barber (02:16)
Bell door on clanks, come on in
Floyd observes my hairy chin
Sit down chair don't be afraid
Steamed hot towel on my face
I was shaved
I was shaved
I was shaved
Barney ties me to the chair
I can't see I'm really scared
Floyd breathes hard I hear a zip
Pee pee pressed against my lips
I was shamed
I was shamed
I was shamed
I sense others in the room
Opey, Aunt Bea, I presume
They take turns and cut me up
I died smothered in Andy's clutch
I was shaved
I was shaved
I was shaved
03 About a Girl (02:47)
I need an easy friend.
I do, with an ear to lend
I do, think you fit this shoe
I do, but you have a clue
I'll take advantage
While you hang me out to dry
But I can't see you every night for free
I do
I'm standing in your line
I do, hope you have the time
I do, pick a number two
I do, keep a date with you
I'll take advantage
While you hang me out to dry
But I can't see you every night for free
I do
I need an easy friend
I do, with an ear to lend
I do, think you fit this shoe
I do, but you have a clue
I'll take advantage
While you hang me out to dry
But I can't see you every night
No, I can't see you every night for free
I do, I do, I do, I do
04 School (02:42)
Won't you believe, it's just my luck
Won't you believe, it's just my luck
Won't you believe, it's just my luck
Won't you believe, it's just my luck
No recess
No recess
No recess
No recess
Won't you believe, it's just my luck
Won't you believe, it's just my luck
Won't you believe, it's just my luck
Won't you believe, it's just my luck
No recess
No recess
No recess
No recess
You're in high school again
You're in high school again
You're in high school again
You're in high school again
You're in high school again
You're in high school again
You're in high school again
You're in high school again
No recess
No recess
No recess
No recess
No recess
No recess
No recess
05 Love Buzz (03:34)
Would you believe me when I tell you
You are the queen of my heart
Please don't deceive me when I hurt you
Just ain't the way it seems
Can you feel my love buzz?
Can you feel my love buzz?
Can you feel my love buzz?
Can you feel my love buzz?
Would you believe me when I do you
You are the queen of my heart
Please don't deceive me when I hurt you
Just ain't the way it seems
Can you feel my love buzz?
Can you feel my love buzz?
Can you feel my love buzz?
Can you feel my love buzz?
06 Paper Cuts (04:06)
When I'm feeling tired
She pushed food through the door
And I crawl towards the crack of light
Sometimes I can't find my way
Newspapers spread around soaking all that they can
A cleaning is due again, a good hosing down
The lady whom I feel maternal love for
Can not look me in the eyes
But I see hers and they are blue
And they cock and twitch and masturbate
I said so
I said so
I said so
Nirvana
Nirvana
Nirvana
Nirvana
Nirvana
Nirvana
Black windows of paint I scratched with my nails
I see others just like me, why do they not try to escape?
They bring out the older ones, they point in my way
They come with a flash of light and take my family away
And very later I have learned to
Accept some friends or ridicule
My whole existence is for your amusement
And that is why I'm here with you
To take
Me with
You're right
Nirvana
Nirvana
Nirvana
Nirvana
Nirvana
Nirvana
Nirvana
Nirvana
07 Negative Creep (02:53)
This is out of our reach
This is out of our reach
This is out of our reach and it's grown
This is getting to be
This is getting to be
This is getting to be drone
I'm a negative creep
I'm a negative creep
I'm a negative creep and I'm stoned
And I'm stoned
I'm a negative creep
I'm a negative creep
I'm a negative creep and I'm
Daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
Daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
Daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
Daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
Daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
Daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
This is out of our range
This is out of our range
This is out of our range and it's crude
This is getting to be
This is getting to be
This is getting to be like drone
I'm a negative creep
I'm a negative creep
I'm a negative creep and I'm stoned
And I'm stoned
I'm a negative creep
I'm a negative creep
I'm a negative creep and I'm
Daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
Daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
Daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
Daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
Daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
Daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
Fuck!
Yeah!
Drone!
Stoned!
Daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
Daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
Daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
Daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
Daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
Daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
Daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
Daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
Daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
Daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
Daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
Daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
Daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
Daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more
09 Swap Meet (03:02)
They lead a lifetime that is comfortable.
They travel far to keep their stomachs full.
They make their living off of arts and crafts.
The kind with seashells, driftwood, and burlap.
They make a deal when they come to town.
The Sunday swap meet is a battleground.
She loves him more than he will ever know.
He loves her more than he will ever show.
Keeps his cigarettes close to his heart.
Keeps her photographs close to her heart.
Keeps the bitterness close to the heart.
They lead a lifetime that is comfortable.
They travel far to keep their stomachs full.
They make their living off of arts and crafts.
The kind with seashells, driftwood, and burlap.
They make a deal when they come to town.
The Sunday swap meet is a battleground.
She loves him more than he will ever know.
He loves her more than he will ever show.
Keeps his cigarettes close to his heart.
Keeps her photographs close to her heart.
Keeps the bitterness close to the heart.
They lead a lifetime that is comfortable.
They travel far to keep their stomachs full.
They make their living off of arts and crafts.
The kind with seashells, driftwood, and burlap.
They make a deal when they come to town.
The Sunday swap meet is a battleground.
She loves him more than he will ever know.
He loves her more than he will ever show.
Keeps his cigarettes close to his heart.
Keeps her photographs close to her heart.
Keeps the bitterness close to the heart.
11 Sifting (05:23)
Afraid to grade
Wouldn't it be fun?
Cross, self loss
Wouldn't it be fun?
Wet your bed
Wouldn't it be fun?
Some fear none
Wouldn't it be fun?
Your eyes, teacher said
Your eyes, teacher said
Your eyes, teacher said
Preacher said
Don't have nothing for you
Don't have nothing for you
Don't have nothing for you
Don't have nothing for you
Don't have nothing for you
Don't have nothing for you
Don't have nothing for you
Spell the smell
Wouldn't it be fun?
Search for church
Wouldn't it be fun?
Wet your bed
Wouldn't it be fun?
Cold in cold
Wouldn't it be fun?
Your eyes, teacher said
Your eyes, teacher said
Your eyes, teacher said
Preacher said
Preacher said
Don't have nothing for you
Don't have nothing for you
Don't have nothing for you
Don't have nothing for you
Don't have nothing for you
Don't have nothing for you
Don't have nothing for you
Don't have nothing for you
Don't have nothing for you
Don't have nothing for you
Don't have nothing for you
Don't have nothing for you
Don't have nothing for you
Don't have nothing for you
Don't have nothing for you
Don't have nothing for you
12 Big Cheese (03:41)
Big cheese, make me
Mine says, "Go to the office"
Big cheese, make me
Mine says, "One that stays"
Black is black, straight back
Need more enemies
Show you all what a man is
Need more enemies
Big lies, make my
Mine says "Go to the office"
Big cheese, make me
Message? What is it?
Black is black, straight back
Need more enemies
She is glue, how are you?
Big cheese, make me
Mine says "Go to the office"
Big cheese, make me
Message? What is it?
Black is black, straight back
Need more enemies
She is glue, how are you?
Black is black, straight back
Need more enemies
Sure you are, but what am I?
Need more enemies
She is glue, how are you?
Need more enemies
Sure you are, but what am I?
13 Downer (01:43)
Portray sincerity, act out of loyalty
Defend every country, wish away pain
Hand out lobotomies to save little families
Surrealistic fantasy - bland, boring, plain
Hold me down in restitution
Living out your date with fusion
Is the whole fleece shun in bastard?
Don't feel guilty, master writing
Somebody said that they're not much like I am
I know I can
Make enough of the words as you go along
I sing then some
Sickening pessimist, hypocrite master
Conservative Communist, apocalyptic bastard
Thank you, dear God, for putting me on this Earth
I feel very privileged in debt for my thirst
Hold me down in restitution
Living out your date with fusion
Is the whole fleece shun in bastard?
Don't feel guilty, master writing
Somebody said that they're not much like I am
I know I can
Make enough of the words as you go along
I sing then some
14 Dive (03:54)
Je-sus
Pick me, pick me yeah
Let a lone, long signal
At least, at least, yeah
Everyone is hollow
Pick me, pick me yeah
Everyone is waiting
Pick me, pick me yeah
You can even pay them
Hey
Dive
Dive
Dive
Dive in me
Dive in me
Dive in me
Dive in me
Kiss this, kiss that yeah
Let a lone, long signal
At least, at least, yeah
You could be my hero
Pick me, pick me yeah
Everyone is waiting
Hit me, hit me yeah
I'm real good at hating
Hey
Dive
Dive
Dive
Dive in me
Dive in me
Dive in me
Dive in me
Dive
Dive
Dive
Dive in me
Dive in me
Dive in me
Dive in me
Dive in me
Dive in me
Dive in me
Dive in me
Dive in me
Dive in me
Dive in me
15 Sliver (02:13)
Mom and dad went to a show
They dropped me off at Grandpa Joe's
I kicked and screamed, said please don't go
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Had to eat my dinner there
Mashed potatos and stuff like that
I couldn't chew my meats too good
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
She said, well, don't you start your crying
Go outside and ride your bike
That's what I did, I killed my toe
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
After dinner, I had ice cream
I fell asleep and watched TV
I woke up in my mother's arms
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
Grandma take me home
I wanna be alone
17 Been a Son (01:55)
She should have stayed away from friends.
She should have had more time to spend.
She should have died when she was born.
She should have worn the crown of thorns.
She should have been a son.
She should have been a son.
She should have been a son.
She should have been a son.
She should have made her mother proud.
She should have stood out in a crowd.
She should have had another chance.
She should have fallen on her stance.
She should have been a son.
She should have been a son.
She should have been a son.
She should have been a son.
She should have stayed away from friends.
She should have had more time to spend.
She should have died when she was born.
She should have worn the crown of thorns.
She should have been a son.
She should have been a son.
She should have been a son.
19 Molly's Lips (01:49)
She said
She'd take me anywhere
She'd take me anywhere
As long as she stays with me
She said
She'd take me anywhere
She'd take me anywhere
As long as I stay clean
Kiss, kiss, Molly's lips
Kiss, kiss, Molly's lips
Kiss, kiss, Molly's lips
Kiss, kiss, Molly's lips
She said
She'd take me anywhere
She'd take me anywhere
As long as she stays with me
She said
She'd take me anywhere
She'd take me anywhere
As long as I stay clean
Kiss, kiss, Molly's lips
Kiss, kiss, Molly's lips
Kiss, kiss, Molly's lips
Kiss, kiss, Molly's lips
Carico i commenti... con calma
Altre recensioni
Di KurtTheFish
Un mostro di nome “Grunge” stava prendendo vita, un mostro che avrebbe fatto paura a tutti i postumi.
E’ un album d’esordio e come tale va considerato. Nulla di straordinario ma un grande punto di partenza.
Di thetrooper
Bleach è l’insieme, la colagulazione di questi generi in un unico affascinante suono.
Se cercate il pop punk di 'Come As You Are' e 'Smell Like Teen Spirit' scordatevi questo album.
Di giustarantino1
Per pochi rappresenta invece un vero e proprio manifesto per la generazione senza vento dei fine 80'.
Il disco si apre con la claustroboca Blew dove il canto oscuro di Cobain viene accostato a chitarra e basso che ne delineano l'andatura.
Di telespallabob771
Bleach è un disco terribile. Consiste in un cammino che ci induce a resettare la nosta coscienza-conoscenza musicale.
Cobain mi/ci ha mostrato quella sfera di luce che irradia rabbia ed empatia, sofferenza e calore, la sua e la nostra anima.
Di masturbatio
Bleach è un capolavoro perchè ha attitudine punk ma è più greve, pesta in modo giusto nel posto giusto all’ora giusta.
Da piccolo ascoltavo Bleach e mi sentivo pulito, come nuovo sotto un getto di candeggina bollente.