Here's an honest poll: Nirvana vs. Soundgarden

[SmileyBoy]

The battle of the 90's grunge bands. Both had their influence in the decade, but I think Nirvana may have been more overrated, yet made a more powerful statement, and Soundgarden may have had more of a subversive, underlying musical influence, yet may have been focused on the music more than anything.

Even I'm personally torn up by these two groups, and I really don't know who I would vote for. When I was 11, I was probably the biggest Nirvana fan in the world. They were the first band I ever followed. Then Kurt killed himself when I was 12, and my musical world came crashing down. Then, after his death, in a quest to find another favourite band, I started listening to Soundgarden a lot.

They were another Seattle grunge band, they were still around (Chris Cornell was actually mentally stable), and I eventually became a huge Soundgarden fan well into high school, and had all their CD's and such. When I was 14, I had gone to one of their concerts as kind of a ritual for me to get over my former favourite band and embrace my new-found band. When I found out that they were breaking up, I was devastated, but not as devastated as I was when I learned that Kurt killed himself. At least there's hope in the future for a Soundgarden reunion tour, which I would TOTALLY follow along with and go to every show as possible. Ironically, I really have no interest for Nirvana anymore, and I wouldn't care less if, say, I found out they were releasing any rare songs from the group.

Anyway, sorry for rambling. Here's the choices:

[iconoclastic cat]

1. I have to say Nirvana, but it's close.

I only say Nirvana simply because of the raw, personal lyrics.

[johnnie]

2. Going with Nirvana

I liked some of Soundgarden's stuff, but I liked Nirvana's better. Actually it is a tough choice when I start thinking of some of the Soundgarden music I do like.

[Cush]

3. Nirvana

[opiate69]

4. Gotta go with Soundgarden..

Without Buch Vig's production, Nirvana was nearly unlistenable.

[jandrok]

5. Neither....I'd go with Alice in Chains

Darker and heavier than either Nirvana OR Soundgarden, they were just as influential and seminal to the grunge scene. Scores of bands have copied their lyrical and sonic landscapes. Good grief, Godsmack is practically a cover band.

"Dirt" holds up pretty well a decade later. It pairs well with Nirvana's "In Utero". Layne Staley was just as damaged and self-destructive as Cobain, he just committed suicide a little slower.

[wiggle-room]

8. HELL YES!

AIC stuff is still some of the best played on heavy-rock stations.

I effin' loved DIRT. Their other stuff too, prior and even the more accoustic things they did. All excelllent.

I was gonna vote Soundgarden, 'cuz they rocked too, but put AIC in there and its no contest.

If I had to classify AIC as either grunge or metal, tho, I'd say metal.

DAMN I LOVE THAT BAND!

lol on Godsmack (another great AIC tune). I actually like Godsmack, and they get it right now and then, but they're no Alice in Chains.

[ghostsofgiants]

6. Soundgarden

Nirvana was good and definitely more influencioal, but Soundgarden just had better music I think.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

7. I love Chris' Cornell's voice

and Chris Cornell, but I went with Nirvana.