202. NEVERMIND by Nirvana
There are several significant historical events that are burned into the psyche of Gen X'ers like myself in that we remember exactly where we were or what we were doing when news of said event broke. For example, the space shuttle Challenger explosion in 1986 and 9/11 in 2001 to name just a couple. Add to this list hearing of Kurt Cobain's death - I was in San Antonio, Texas, in medical school, in my tiny one bedroom studio apartment, watching MTV on my tiny CRT TV when VJ Kurt Loder broke the news in April 1994 that not only was the Nirvana front man dead, but it was a suicide. It felt like getting punched in the gut twice in rapid succession.
Of course Nevermind is the 1991 record that not only put Nirvana on the map but also exposed the wider listening public to grunge and alt rock, which beforehand only had a relatively small following. From that classic record sleeve to the iconic music video for 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' this is considered one of the greatest rock albums ever. It's the music, however, that qualifies it for that recognition. So, whether this will be your first time around the block with Nevermind or you will be revisiting the record after your last listen years ago, let me remind you of these tracks: 'Breed,' 'Come As You Are,' 'Lithium' and 'Smells Like Teen Spirit.'
