But their level of songcraft and intricate lyrics and melodies were absolutely fuckin' ace.

As a fan of Nirvana at the time, I have to agree with Everyneurotic. They were just a good band. Their popularity had to do with more than their music, in fact the music was one of the least important aspects of their fame.

I do stress that I'm not a Nirvana hater when I say this.

And also they only made one really good album anyway.

bravo!!!!! you expressed what i was trying to say to the t.

although i don't agree with the album, they were a singles band in an album era, so their best stuff happened on individual songs scattered around their discography.

Actually they compressed the underground American scene from its conception; and even extrapolated its eventual growth; into 5 good albums. They made music that shook the foundations of the youth and made music something to be respected and appreciated again, after the 80s and its greed mostly destoyed it. Their music is good. It's very, very good. Their songwriting and band dynamics are very highly accomplished. Very finely tuned. Their sound is a learned and very encompassing thing, that envelopes most of good rock and blasts it out into short, 3-4 minute bursts of sonic nirvana.

mars, teenage jesus and dna came out before 81.

Don't mean to be argumentative, but some of those phrases don't mean anything (bursts of sonic nirvana?).

I think there are two arguments: Nirvana's importance in the history of rock music and how good you think they are. Obviously the latter is up to the individual.

As to their importance, I think they were incredibly important. The time was right for an "underground" rock band to make it big. But that responsibility could have been handed to any number of (often better) bands who just didn't have the full package: Husker Du, Pixies, Smashing Pumpkins, Sonic Youth etc.

What Nirvana had was good tunes and more importantly, a good-looking, charasmatic, troubled (yawn) frontman. The world of music needs (or wants) this every now and then. Nirvana were a Doors for the nineties.

Anyway, lots has been written about the band. Probably can add little new.

Have I said I like them?

^ ^ Well said. (You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Pookie again.)

& I like them, too.

Believe me, bursts of sonic nirvana means something. The packaged, polished sheen of the industry band. How many times? How often do we have to put up with that, right? Whatever Nirvana were, they were a beacon for music. One of the greatest American bands of the last 25 years? Yeah, why the hell not?

Husker Du
Sonic youth
Six Organs Of Admittance
Pixies
Black Flag
Galaxie 500
The Mummies
Dream Synadicate
Bedhead
Butthole Surfers

Please,can i make space for Low too?

And Codeine,Slint,Red House Painters,American Music Club too?

Only if I can add Shakin' Pyramids.

Damn it!I forgot Royal Trux!!!!!!

Go on then,they fit.

ok everyone pretty much already put the bands I would mention.

SY
Flying Luttenbachers
Fugazi
Pavement
Xiu Xiu
At The Drive-In
Hella
ummmmmmm Nirvana I suppose.....

Godspeed are Canadian.

Aren't Godspeed You!Black Emperor canadians?

Radiohead?

OUTKAST?! laaaaame