By the time Nirvana took over the rock scene, Kurt Cobain had already shaped his musical taste. He was quick to praise artists he admired but even quicker to call out bands that, in his eyes, lacked authenticity. The rise of Nirvana wasn’t just about changing the sound of rock—it was about tearing down the hollow excess of hair metal and replacing it with something raw and heartfelt.
Cobain’s own guitar skills were never about technical perfection. While some dismissed Nirvana because he couldn’t shred like Yngwie Malmsteen, the truth was Malmsteen wouldn’t have dreamed of playing like Cobain either. Cobain’s signature was in the way he harnessed feedback, power chords, and raw emotion to craft songs like ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ and ‘On a Plain’—it wasn’t about skill, it was about feel.
Despite his love for heavy, unpolished rock, Cobain had a deep appreciation for artists who pushed boundaries. He was drawn to Half Japanese, an experimental punk band whose album We Are They Who Ache with Amorous Love dripped with raw, unfiltered energy. It wasn’t polished or radio-friendly, but that’s exactly what Cobain loved about it—it had spontaneity, much like Nirvana’s In Utero.
But Cobain’s love of music wasn’t limited to loud, aggressive punk. He championed musicians who weren’t given enough space in the rock scene, especially female artists. He saw the future of rock in PJ Harvey, who demanded to be taken seriously with her bold, poetic lyricism. Before working with producer Steve Albini on In Utero, Cobain admired Harvey’s debut Dry, an album that carried the same stripped-down intensity as Nirvana’s own work.
For his alt-rock fix, The Breeders were an easy favorite. While The Pixies had disbanded, Kim Deal was still delivering with Pod, a record Cobain even preferred over Frank Black’s solo material. And while Cobain was known for his punk influences, he also had a softer side. He gravitated toward Mazzy Star, whose dreamy album She Hangs Brightly struck a delicate balance between melancholy and beauty—a quality Cobain would later explore on songs like ‘All Apologies’ and ‘Dumb’.
While some wanted Nirvana to make Nevermind all over again, Cobain’s taste was always evolving. He was never interested in sticking to a formula—his music, much like his record collection, reflected a desire for something real. And if an artist poured their heart into their music, Cobain was always willing to listen.
The Only 1990s Albums Kurt Cobain Actually Liked:
🎵 The Breeders – Pod (1990)
🎵 PJ Harvey – Dry (1992)
🎵 Half Japanese – We Are They Who Ache with Amorous Love (1990)
🎵 Mazzy Star – She Hangs Brightly (1990)
