NIRVANA'S "NEVERMIND" 20 YEARS LATER

20 years ago today, mainstream music as we know it was turned upside down and pulled apart.

From an underground scene perspective, "Nevermind" wasn't to first album to create music so aggressive and emotive. It was, however, the first time the rest of us got a taste of this crunchy, loud, and poetic genre that would affectionately be called "grunge."

The first time I heard "Smells Like Teen Spirit" (though it was over a decade after it's initial release...I know, I'm young) it threw me through a loop. It was powerful. Reading other testimonials online, it was the same way for a lot of people.

Continuing through the dark, self fulfilling prophecy/dramatic irony of "Come As You Are," to the adrenaline rush of "Breed," and "Stay Away," Nirvana's mainstream debut was opening the eyes of music with loud guitars and brutal honesty.

Kurt Cobain may not have realized just how influential his music would be even 20 years later. "Nevermind" remains as a cautionary tale of a great talent that didn't last as long as we wished it had. But the music is still here. I'm sure in another 20 years we'll still be singing the praises of a band that redirected rock.