Bleach (album) - Definition and Overview

Bleach
LP by Nirvana
Released	June 15, 1989
Recorded	1988, 1989
Genre	Grunge
Length	42 min 14 s
Record label	Sub Pop
Producer	Jack Endino
Professional reviews
Allmusic.com	3 stars out of 5	link (http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&uid=UIDMISS70404011456051335&sql=Aacm1z85ajyv3)
Nirvana Chronology
Bleach (1989)	Nevermind (1991)	Incesticide (1992)

Bleach was the debut album by Nirvana, released in 1989 through Sub Pop.

Most of the songs feature themes based on life in Aberdeen, Washington, a small, working class town where songwriter Kurt Cobain grew up. The album is heavily influenced by early Black Sabbath as well as the heavy dirge rock of The Melvins and Mudhoney. The band's punk rock roots are most evident on "Negative Creep" though there is little trace of the direction they would later go in. "Love Buzz", Nirvana's first single, is a cover of a Shocking Blue song and "About A Girl" displays the quiet/loud dynamic of the Pixies and Dinosaur Jr, a dynamic Nirvana would later make their own. Bleach was recorded in a garage for $600, known by fans as perhaps the best music producer Jack Endino could buy for that price.

Track listing

All songs by Kurt Cobain, unless where otherwise noted.

1. "Blew" - 2:54
2. "Floyd The Barber" - 2:17
3. "About A Girl" - 2:48
4. "School" - 2:42
5. "Love Buzz" (Robby Van Leeuwen) - 3:35
6. "Paper Cuts" - 4:05
7. "Negative Creep" - 2:55
8. "Scoff" - 4:10
9. "Swap Meet" - 3:02
10. "Mr. Moustache" - 3:23
11. "Sifting" - 5:22
12. "Big Cheese" - 3:42
13. "Downer" (Cobain/Novoselic) - 1:42

The re-release by Geffen Records added "Downer", which can also be found on Incesticide.

Singles

"Love Buzz" was released with "Big Cheese" in October 1988. The version of "Love Buzz" on the single has a different mix than the album version, and features a sound collage by Kurt Cobain.

"Blew" was released through Tupelo Records in December 1989 with "Love Buzz", "Been a Son" and "Stain". "Been a Son" and "Stain" were written by Kurt Cobain and Krist Novoselic, and would later appear on Incesticide, with "Been a Son" being the version with Dave Grohl.

Chart position

Personnel

• Kurt Cobain - Vocals, Guitar (as Kurdt Kobain)
• Krist Novoselic - Bass (as Chris Novoselic)
• Chad Channing - Drums
• Jason Everman - Guitar (paid for recording but played live only)
• Dale Crover - Drums ("Floyd The Barber", "Paper Cuts" and "Downer")
• Jack Endino - Producer

External links

• Bleach Lyrics - Nirvana (http://www.myclassiclyrics.com/nirvana/bleach.html)