Nirvana - Smells like teen spirit analysis

The song title and the video go together hand in hand. The video encompasses everything that it is to be a teenager – High school/College student in America in the 90s. Set in a school gym, the band is performing to students, like a more personal/intimate Nirvana gig.



Straight away the video is filtered in a hazy yellow light which shows that it is in a sports gym. This also makes me feel like the murky fog shows it is a secret gig and is against permission of teachers. This links back to the rebel movement alternative Rock tries to portray. The cheerleaders also give us the sense of teenage and we can identify with another part of US student culture. The crowd are going crazy and really getting into the performance, so much so that during the show, they interact with the band by crowd surfing the members.

The classic “head banger” dance is iconic with Nirvana’s music, and is a constant with the audience, which shows how the band have noticed this and incorporated their fans actions into their videos. At the end, a stereotypical geek is found taped up in the gym with the care-taker of the school cleaning up after the gig. This again shows the element of rebellion.

From an editing point of view, the action shots of the crowd are slowed down so that we as onlookers to the gig can see more clearly the expression and actions of the crazy teenagers. This is effective because we can see how Nirvana’s music makes their fans feel. Also, the pan and tracking shots of the lead singer Kurt Cobain are good because they make us focus on the band more. It also is the only time that we as the watching audience feel like the performance is for us and our own viewing pleasure, not just the crowd in the gym at the time.

The video was directed by Samuel Bayer who has been editing music videos since 1991 till as recent as Justin Timerblake in 2007. Worked with bands such as The Strokes and Green Day continuing his popularity in the Rock and especially the Alternative Rock genre.

What I can take from this?
The slowing down of action shots to show emotion is very effective and something I will look to do myself. Also, if I choose to do a performance video, I will need to make sure that my artist is interacting with the camera and the audience. This was done in this respect with tracking of the artist as he moved around the stage, using eye contact at all times.

Nirvana (Alternative Rock Legends)

Nirvana – Huge American band branded the “Flagship” of a generation of Rock lovers all over the world with the lead singer, Kurt Cobain called the “Spokesman of this generation”. The band however were uncomfortable with the mainstream attention as they felt the audience had misinterpreted Nirvana's message and artistic vision feeling that the political and social comments were being over ran by their popularity (everyone just liking them because others do – not about the music)

In the late 1980s Nirvana established itself as part of the Seattle grunge scene, releasing its first album Bleach for the independent record label Sub Pop in 1989. The band eventually came to develop a sound that relied on dynamic contrasts, often between quiet verses and loud, heavy choruses. After signing to major label DGC Records, Nirvana found unexpected success with "Smells like Teen Spirit", the first single from the band's second album Nevermind (1991). Nirvana's sudden success widely popularized alternative rock as a whole. Nirvana's third studio album In Utero (1993), challenged the group's audience, featuring an abrasive, less-mainstream sound.
Nirvana's brief run ended following the suicide of Cobain in 1994. Since its debut, the band has sold over 25 million albums in the United States alone, and over 50 million worldwide.

This band really asked the audience to listen to their lyrics themselves as they were very expressive. This is very much in common with The Jam, which leads me to believe that the 80/90s era of rock was all about the message and expressing yourself as a band, whereas now a days this is less used in rock as a whole. Again the theme of an imposing front man is continued, as Kurt Cobain is probably the most famous lead singer and iconic Rock heroes ever.

Kasabian - Club Foot analysis

The video is in black and white with immediate locations of a war-torn place. With the black and white filter it immediately makes us link the video to the world wars in Eastern Europe – Russia, Poland, and Germany.

Link to Video (Note at end) ----- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96eZYS7sm88


Stock footage of tanks fighting in the world war make us feel that it is going to be a brutal and edgy video, which fits the songs overall tone. The images of panic and potential death are evident however when the lyrics begin, the band is playing a performance role. They are singing the song and playing the music; however appear to play a relevant part in the war narrative. It is almost a performance within a narrative.

The band members are dressed in clothing similar to which the Eastern Europeans are wearing and are always shown with serious faces or grimaces, as if feeling the pain and tension themselves. The video is confusing and the overall message of it is distorted. At the end, the potential of death and massacre is realised with the death of the woman soldier. However, the sadistic smile that she has whilst laying dead on the ground continues the confusion that we as the audience feel. The video is emotive and powerful as it makes us feel scared throughout.

What I could take from this?
The aspect of performance whilst maintaining a narrative stance is interesting, as I had previously thought I would have to choose between the two. The shots look difficult to create, however I enjoyed the black and white aspect as it gave the video some mystery. This is something that could easily be produced in my own video so a black and white filter throughout, or in sections, of my music video will be something I will be looking to emulate.

NOTE: For some reason I was unable to embed the video straight onto the blog, so i have used the link instead. Below are some stills of the video for you to gain an idea from.

Kasabian Biography (Modern Alternative Rock)

Kasabian are an English Alternative rock band who formed in Leicestershire in 1999. Their eponymous debut album was released in the UK on 13 September 2004 receiving good sales and generally positive reviews. It was their third single release "Club Foot" that finally gave Kasabian success in the singles charts. The song, which was written in the early years of Kasabian, went on to enjoy both critical and commercial success, becoming one of the band's best loved songs, and being performed at nearly every Kasabian live performance since its release. The song was the theme for the skate game Tony Hawk's Project 8, Pro Evolution Soccer 5, as well as being featured in the movies. These illustrious representations in different forms of media lead to their increasing popularity and fame.

Their style harks back to the baggy days of the late 1980s and early 90s, seamlessly switching between bass-heavy anthems ("Club Foot") and blissed-out tracks ("I.D."). --- Robert Burrow

They have since released two more albums, both becoming successful, the most recent being West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum which in 2010 reached number one in the UK top 40 charts, spending two weeks there. Huge successful songs such as “Fire” and “underdog” can be heard on this album also.

The image of the band is very rock’n’roll, with the strong front man (Serge Pizzorno) showing the need for an imposing, charismatic lead singer. (2nd from the right in the above picture)

Alternative Rock - Short Summary

Alternative Rock - is a genre of rock music that emerged in the 1980s and became widely popular in the 1990s. Alternative rock consists of various sub genres that have emerged from the independent music scene since the 1980s, such as grunge, Brit pop, Gothic rock, and indie pop. These genres are unified by their collective debt to the style and/or ethos of punk rock, which laid the groundwork for alternative music in the 1970s.

Throughout much of its history, alternative rock has been largely defined by its rejection of the commercialism of mainstream culture. Alternative bands during the 1980s generally played in small clubs, recorded for indie labels, and spread their popularity through word of mouth; this is what inspired the word “indie” short for individualism and non-mainstream behavior and characteristics, giving it a rebellious undertone. This is maybe why it became so popular with students because it promoted freedom of speech and individualism (not conforming to society).

Alternative rock lyrics tend to address topics of social concern, such as drug use, depression, and environmentalism. This approach to lyrics developed as a reflection of the social and economic strains in the United States and United Kingdom of the 1980s and early 1990s. Usual instruments include Electric/base guitars, drums and occasionally keyboards (Electro-rock).

My bands that i have researched under Alternative Rock:
Kasabian - Will show me a modern example also very popular and mainstream
Nirvana - these are one of the most iconic bands ever and have a very strong personalty from their lead singer Kurt Cobain

blink-182 - All The Small Things

The video of “All the Small things” - released in 1999, is very reflective of the genre, and vision of the band at this time. The band was seen as an insane, crazy band, with tongue in cheek, college humour being the forefront of their image and style. This video is no different as it features nudity (an aspect throughout many of their music videos) and numerous “college” like situations. This affiliation with college is continued right the way through the music video.





With no narrative to speak of, the band is playing to an adoring, young crowd, while showing short clips if the band in either very casual clothing or posing in comedy windswept “sexy” positions. The three scenes that stick out to me were first of all the representation of a college student, flirting with two girls at a party. This relates to the actual upbeat, catchy, trashy music as you can imagine this to be the scene and setting of which a Blink 182 song will be played in. The bands relations with the biggest American college films “American Pie” really continue this vibe and set the bands target audience. An interesting black and white scene of the band walking down the beach looks good and I personally liked the contrast of huge colour and variation, mixed in with the simplistic black and white scene.

The iconic nude “running down the beach scene” again shows the comedic effect of the band and the carefree attitude associated with the age group. This is how the band identifies with its audience.

What I can take from this?
The fact that the video has nothing to do with the lyrics completely contrasts the message laden stereotype associated with punk rock music. This means that it would be acceptable for me to go down this path and look to create more of a funny, happy-go-looking video. The black and white filter on one of the scenes stood out to me as being effective as well so this is something I will look to use in my own. Picking a young band, seems to suggests that i will aim my music, advert and video at an equally young target audience

Blink 182 biography - Punk Rock (Modern)

Blink-182 are an American pop punk band; they have sold over 35 million albums worldwide since forming in 1992. Blink-182 gained popularity for their irreverent sense of humor, and the album Take off Your Pants and Jacket (2001) reached #1 in the United States, Canada, and Germany. After finishing up production of Enema of the State with the album was released in June 1999 and became a huge success, largely due to popular singles "What's My Age Again", "All the Small Things", and "Adam's Song". The singles led to an incredible amount of airtime on music video channels, bringing the band to a new audience. The band's popularity soared to new horizons.

Blink-182's musical style has been described by various sources as "pop punk” and "punk rock” When playing live, the band typically plays their songs at a faster tempo and often replaces certain lyrics with toilet humor and various gags. Blink-182 songs are known for their simple melodies, teen angst and occasional lyrical toilet humor. They are often targeting subjects such as love and growing up. Musical critics have described their music as being "marked by a radio-friendly sheen, but it still maintains much of the speed and attitude of classic punk rock” The image that they portray, being typical rebellious, mischievous American teenagers meant that many of their followers could relate to them, their jokes and their actions. They have since become cult figures in the modern punk rock world, reforming in 2009.

Going Underground

Going underground was the bands first British number 1, released in March 1980. It’s a fast paced, fast temped punk song that dictates an important message. The band is making a political statement about war and the leaders who lead countries into war. Paul Weller, the lead singer of the band also makes a point about society contributing by continually appointing these leaders. This is very stereotypical of a punk rock song because the song employs a meaning and they are creating music with a purpose as opposed to pure entertainment. I choose this particular song because I wanted to incorporate this major function of punk culture in my research. I am also interested as to how the video will be made and the techniques it uses, as the video has to back up the message that the strong lyrics and sounds create.




The video itself is a performance video as the band is with their instruments playing and singing in time with the song. However, the band plays in front of a large white backdrop, like a blank canvas which immediately highlights them as the centre of attention to the audience. Now that the band has the audiences gaze, a number of close ups of Paul Weller makes us focus on his words and lyrics. This, along with Weller’s stern and serious expressions underline the fact that this is a political statement and the lyrics are what take main priority.

The video is very uncomplicated and low budget because it doesn’t really need to be anything but. If there were big distracting colours in the background or irrelevant images shown during the video then this would take away the poignancy of the message in the video. The editing is uncomplicated and basic with only the odd change in image away from the playing band. The band remains central as the camera only moves around them ranging from mid shots to close ups, transitioning via zooming in and out at different sections.


The point in which the video most inspires me is the use of small montages and sneaky subliminal messaging. Every now and then through the video, images are flashed before our eyes before we cut back to the familiar scene of the band playing again. These images are of: Atomic bombs; warfare; the “your country needs you” war posters (image left); and images of political leaders from around the time e.g. Margaret Thatcher. These give the video a time era and show the public what their message is in a more physical notion.


What can I take from this?
The video has shown me a very basic, deliberately bare performance video that can be used to get a point across. The technicality of the video is very low but that is the whole point of this era, this music and this Band. If I was to pick a punk rock song then I would have to seriously look at doing a video like this to promote the meaning of the words, not just the band image.