SMELLS LIKE TEEN SPIRIT Studio Multitracks (Listening Session & Analysis) Kurt Cobain, Nirvana
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The isolated vocal analysis video: • Smells Like Teen Spiri...
#sing #scream #grunge #nirvana #kurtcobain #voicelessons #smellsliketeenspirit #nevermind
@chrisliepe @nirvana
This song teaches us a TON when it comes to studio vocal performance and production... Being able to hear ALL of the studio parts and how they blend together and inspire one another represents a whole other level of inspiration.
There are dissonances in the additional guitar tracks that I've never heard until being able to isolate them out. And you know what... I hear the lead vocals completely different now. Actually, I hear the whole song differently. Now I can't un-hear those guitar parts haha...
Join me for some incredible easter eggs and sounds that slip by us all in the public mass-released studio mix!
If you listen to the whole song, you can actually hear Daves snare drum slowly detune. If you listening to the beginning and the end you can hear it. He hit soooo hard!!!
Nice, I'll listen for that!
@@chrisliepe Sweet man! Great vid btw! 😁👍🏼🔥
Already out of tune in the second verse haha
Eeee
Wow!!
8:00 A friend of mine awhile ago pointed out that dissonant guitar part that you can only really hear "subconsciously", but once I heard it I could never unhear it. The way it rises adds more energy to the chorus; it's genius.
Never heard that guitar part in the chorus. Rick Beato didn't talk about it in his WMTSG on the song. Dead Wax didn't talk about it on the episode they did on the song. Incredible to learn something new about such an iconic and seemingly simple song. I'm currently doing a Nirvana podcast. We just did our first episode on Bleach. I can't wait to bring that guitar part to my cohosts' attention. As music savvy as they are, and as big of Nirvana fans, I can guarantee you they've never heard it either.
Look for this vid, if interested: Nirvana - Smells like teen spirit (HIDDEN GUITAR TRACK)
Cool man, good luck on the podcast. One of the main reasons Bleach sounds so distinctive and different than In Utero or even Nevermind it’s because of the Melvins influence on Kurt Cobain & Nirvana at the time. Listen to the albums and recording of the Melvins at this time. On some of Kurt’s Groans, grunts and choice of voice delivery it’s very Buzz Osborne. Bleach isn’t early Nirvana, Bleach is Nirvana bleeding their influences. Dave Grohl has said it himself on a different topic, the early Nirvana sound is on “Incesticide”. The Melvins influence on Nirvana has been understated. If they would of had more time and money ($600 session paid by J. Everman). There’s no doubt to me that sonically Bleach would of sounded different if it would of been produced at at different studio or even a different producer (this is not a diss to Jack Endino). But Jack Endino himself said he still has a few unfinished recordings that the band never reclaimed or picked up. Why do you think Kurt & Nirvana bootlegged themselves (Butch Vig quote)? As soon as they found a studio and producer that helped Nirvana reach the sonic aesthetic they felt comfortable with they went with Butch…..the point of this is, The Melvins were a bigger force influentially than people give them credit.
For me as a guitar player and huge nirvana fan, that backing guitar track in the chorus was something I NEVER noticed, and I'm blown away by it. I always thought I heard everything in this song since I listened to it several hundred times, maybe even thousands of times, and yet there's still something to discover. Thank you so much, Chris, for that insight!
The additional guitars sound a bit Killing Joke like, not that that's really surprising.
That guitar slide into the chorus is awesome, not noticed that before.
Same, never knew it was there!
Yeah, Kurt did that a hell of a lot in Nirvana songs when they played live but Teen Spirit is one of the ones I didn't notice it in
The sound engineers / techs definetely deserve more recognition than they get. Kurt was and is a legend, but that would not happen at least to that level without this brilliant production!
I saw some interview with Butch Vig a couple years ago where he talked about that "hidden" guitar line in the chorus. If it wasn't for the man himself talking about it, this would have been a new revelation to me. Butch blended that second guitar line in so well that you don't even know it's there, yet if it wasn't there you would know something was off.
Your demonstration of the bass being out of the pocket is SO IMPORTANT. I deal with this very often with band recording, it just breaks everything. Bass and kick "harmony" is everything, EDM got it for a long time, but rock people seem to often neglect this (except for the few that actually sound great). Not linked to vocals or anything but mandatory!
Chris, I’ve purchased over $1,000 of online courses over several years to help with singing - just a few of your free KZhead videos have helped way more than any of those courses. Thank you for what you do. This song and Nirvana as a whole is what got me into music and made me want to be a musician in the first place. Love your channel, man.
Amazing. This record is pure gold, I think Butch Vig had a lot to do with it (actually he convinced Kurt to double the voices telling him John Lennon always did that). That disonant guitar is genius!
Precious video indeed! Thank you for your suggestions and work man!
Thank you for this session! 🤩
Great artists on both sides of the glass. Quite a trip this video. Great work. Thanks, man.
Dude the way you broke this song down is the only way to hear all it's greatness and the way you comment on Kurts voice man you got it dude awesome video loved it .
Very nice way to explain what’s going on. So much respect throughout your analysis, KZhead need more passionate people like you !
This is great! Never heard those layered guitars either, totally added depth subconsciously. Not quite as simple as we thought.
The part about the bass lagging behind the kick is something I've never thought of, but from a production standpoint it makes perfect sense. Nowadays we'd fix that with some simple sidechain compression, but you don't have that when recording to tape, at least not as easily. But having the bass hit slightly off from the kick makes it so those low frequencies conflict with each other as little as possible.
Your analysis is BRILLIANT. This song is one of my top three "perfect" rock songs. Well done!
Oh damn Chris. You nailed it once again. Love your channel so much brother. God bless man❤️❤️❤️🙏🙏🙏🙏
This is great content. Thank you for sharing!
I’d heard that extra guitar track on its own somewhere on KZhead, but never in context with the rest of the song! Great stuff as always Chris!
Es increíble como se analiza todo el trabajo de producción. Hay melodías y sonidos que nunca había analizado en esa canción que hemos oído cientos de veces
thanks, Chris 🙏🏼 yet another time
Your videos are the best, period.
Great video! Very cool insights you gave on communication, originality, and simplicity and more.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Wow that is fascinating I had no idea! Awesome vid Chris thanks!
You bet!
Hi, Thanks for these vids, your explanation on being in the pocket and passion about this track and how the mix complements how we, the listeners view the song was very powerful for me. A lot to take away with this vid and how I can add to my own production, not relying on digital processing.
Make this a series Chris!!💯
Great analysis!
Bro please make more Nirvana videos, they're so interesting! I thought I knew this song entirely but oh my goodness, discovering these lil details that make a big difference is like finding a new continent!
i never noticed that about the snare being in tune like that, interesting stuff. also thanks now i have a better understanding of the power of instrument panning, awesome.
Brilliant
Another gold standard here 😎 I like this kind of analysis there's always new things coming out that are normally not heard like at 7:50
I LOVE THESE !!!!
You Are Awesome!! I learn much from your content/videos. Keep up the Great Work! P.S. more Nirvana ;)
I was confused until I saw the intro. 😂😂 Love the Nirvana videos.
I had no idea there was another layer of guitar in there. I thought it was just the main riff and the solos and that is it. Wow
I believe I've learned all o need now thanks.
The video of the year. I swear.
I’d love to hear some isolated stuff off of their first record bleach…must be gnarly!
I would freaking LOVE to mix this into surround - damn...how awesome to spread all those lovely drum parts around the entire 360 degree arena and enjoy backing vox in the rears and main isolated in the centre, guitars huge across the front...we need a 5.1 deluxe edition of Nevermind.
The panning on the vocals is really good catch. Thank you for noticing that. Few things you might not know. Drums had samples. I’m pretty sure there’s 6 possibly 8 guitar tracks in chorus. As far as I’m know no di. Butch does a breakdown on classic albums that’s worth watching.
Dude I am like the most basic guitarist but you have nailed what I felt when I listen to older bands like Nirvana. As a listener, a basic consumer, I want music that sounds like it was made. Something raw and organic. Nirvana’s production nailed that. And you nailed exactly how I felt. That it isn’t always about accuracy and precision. That’s the issue with a ton of newer bands bc music production is so accessible that everyone feels like they can produce their own stuff. But they look for symmetry. And a good producer should know that it isn’t always the case. Of course it’s important in music, but the chemistry, the unadulterated sound is the most important aspect. Does this sound like a human created it? Or does it sound like it’s AI generated? Should always be the former. I love resonated guitar feedback, or slightly off-timed bass, the string slides, cracked vocals, it seems more authentic. Great vid, man.
Come As You Are is my pre-teen jam high school anthem. 🎸🤘🏼 🤪 Smells Like Teen Spirit is an anthem jam for future teen generations.
Awesome
I tend to find my guitar solos are more melodic rather than shredding a bunch of notes. Even though I want to shred that’s what comes out. So saying we don’t see that anymore makes me more confident in soloing like I do rather than trying so hard to muddle in a bunch of notes. Thank you Chris Liepe.
I really love these videos! I've started downloading multitracks to listen to and break down songs recently and it's really fun! I'd love to see you do a vocal analysis of Dallon Weekes of I Don't Know How But They Found Me and The Brobecks. He has a very cool voice and I'm curious to learn his approach. I've struggled with singing a lot recently. Not being able to sing above an F4. I must be doing something wrong. I go to voice lessons and have been watching your videos for a while and still haven't seen major improvement :(
Thanks for this!!!! Please do a vocal analysis on the techniques of Aaron Bruno from Awolnation!
9 seconds ago uploaded and im already watching
Mood
Just proves the brilliance of Butch Vig's production of the song and how he managed to get Kurt to do things because he said that"That's how the Beatles did it".
Hey Chris! Amazing video as always, would you be able to cover anything by Car Seat Headrest? Specifically from the Twin Fantasy album I really feel Will Toledo is an amazing singer and I've always been interested in how he does what he does
I always wondered if Mr. Wallace, the mixer, added samples on this track. So cool to hear it... and steal it. 😜
This helped me layering loops I seem to make it too busy Simple is best
Yo Chris your channel is amazing, you gotta do a video on Maynard from tool. There are so many times that im listening to them and just baffled by what he is able to do with his voice
Thanks for watching and enjoying. Maynard is one of my all time favs... Here are bunches of videos I've done on him... Have fun!! :) kzhead.infoEYcjse-FJPI?feature=share kzhead.info/sun/pcyLYq6Ne2uBZIk/bejne.html kzhead.info/sun/otdqqtWye356gWw/bejne.html kzhead.info/sun/nq6gd5ycenSXmok/bejne.html kzhead.info/sun/mbWNaJdvh6FnjYU/bejne.html kzhead.info/sun/pLx6drKaiWqiao0/bejne.html kzhead.info/sun/mal6npmKr6GofWw/bejne.html kzhead.info/sun/ZNFwaNN-oKSYdo0/bejne.html
@@chrisliepe thanks boss
Genius...he really was a genius.
Nirvana = My life.❤🩹
I would like to see you react to Alice in Chains performance of Rooster in Tilburg, Netherlands. Layne's screams are INSANELY powerful in that particular recording.
I think you are slowly becoming similar to the next Rick Beato for me. Thank you so much
:) Thats nice to hear!
@@chrisliepe you're documenting the history of "modern" western music while educating and inspiring us. Thank you very much 😊🙏
Hindsight is a hell of a thing. I remember Kurt and Nirvana taking so many bullets for being bad musicians and Kurt especially for being a D-tier guitarist. In reality, he was a SAVANT. Both a brilliant vocalist and amazing songwriter. He knew and could do so much more than he'd get credit for. All of the nuances of one of Nirvana's "simplest" songs shown here reinforce that. Always did what was best for the song and getting his point across with no need to show off his skills. I think putting the cocaine / limo / hairspray / spandex era of rock out to pasture and revolutionizing rock culture is exhibit A for how wrong his detractors were. I'm glad I was old enough to experience it first hand.
Even Rick Beato didn't pick up on this hidden guitar track...now you must snatch the pebble from my hand. Thank you for reiterating you don't need to be taught to already know. It's just intuition.
It's just an amazing production!!! Without its a chaos, sure. 😅
Having played this song on guitar for over 20 years, those dissonant guitar dubs are pretty mind blowing.
There’s a video that has this chorused out melody backing guitar track under the chorus line that pushes the song super hard. I’d never heard it until I saw that video. It’s secret guilt rack in SLTS w Kurt holding the pistol… oh damn you just played it. Hell… anyway good on you. I wish that line was a tad louder in the the mix. So dope… it makes the whole atmosphere of the chorus actually work… take it away and it’s way less driving. The chorus pedal.makes it sound doubled too. The guitar sound of the solo and the backing track so perfectly blend.butch vig and Kurt were an amazing pair
you NEED to do a vocal analysis for the band sleep token
That kick is massive sounding. From what I found, Dave Grohl rented a Tama Rockstar Series kit with a 24" diameter by 18" deep kick I believe. 14" rack tom and 18" floor tom and a Tama Bellbrass Snare. I remember Butch Vig talking about initially micing the kick with a standard kick mic for attack then added an empty 24" kick drum shell with no heads on it extending the kick drum depth and putting another kick mic on as a subkick track ultimately creating at least two kick tracks.
I know this is a far more obscure band but I'd like to see a similar analysis of some of the songs off of Failure's Fantastic Planet album
Andy Wallace is a genius producer/mixing engineer. Although I prefer Butch Vig's mix, it kinda sounds more like In Utero and I absolutely love the sound on that album, it's roomy, a bit raw, yet still very tight. Thank you for that dive-in, so much subtle little things that woud've been left unnoticed, love that stuff and love seeing how excited you are about it as well. Did you study mixing or is it just your experience and feel?
I worked as a staff engineer at the incredible Sweewater Sound studios for 4 years. I got to work with all sorts of amazing class acts during my time there. I also studied music production in College.
@@chrisliepe Nice! Appreciate you sharing your knowledge and experience.
Dave Grohl is a beast on the kit. Just a powerhouse of sound. Incredible.
Do you think you would be interested in taking a look at the band KALEO? The singer (Jj Juliusson) has got such a cool voice, and the lyrics plus music seems to be crafted in such a captivating way. Thought you might be interested lol!
I love your videos so much keep it up!!! :)
Butch Vig breaks down a lot of the recording and production in a recent interview on Rick Beato's channel. Highly recommend.
Chris, I've been wanting to ask you about what you think of shows like American Idol. I just thought of it again when I thought: If Kurt Cobain had been on American Idol (had it been around then), I don't know that he would have done well. There are a lot of rock legends that wouldn't have done well, so what does that say about the show?
Butch vig had to convince kurt to do doubles by saying "You know lennon did it..."
I havent notice how the bass pauses to highlight the guitar's chakachaka parts on the intros
Cool video as always. How do you like your Lewitt 1040 System? :)
It's amazing! Sounds and FEELS very nice! Special thanks to Lewitt for sending it over for me to use on the channel!
@@chrisliepe Lewitt have been up to some seriously cool things lately. Have a great day! Cheers from Germany.
Can you make a video about how to sing like Muddy Waters or Johnny Winter or Wilson Pickett or Little Richard that would be unreal thanks
What is that backing at 7:20 - I've never heard or seen that before, is that really in the track?
couple of things: could u analyze Fred Durst screams (got some good ones) and/or get a limp bizkit or soad multi track to analyze?
I wish that second guitar layer was audible in the mix, it's more interesting than the power chord riff.
Ya, I agree!
His guitar playing here reminds me of Killing Joke's Geordie Walker
DUDE CHRIS WAS GONNA SAY A VIDEO ON CAGE THE ELEPHANT WOULD BE COOL :)
Great idea!
How do you obtain the STEMs?
Just started the video but I hope the hidden guitar track is in here
yes there is!
Is the Butch Vig mix devoid of the stereo manipulations altogether?
Please do, change by deftones.
One day I will understand what behind the beat and pushing and pulling in music means without my brain freezing and refusing to compute. Or at least I hope so. It just doesn't make any sense to me. Especially behind the beat. Why is something in front of something else behind it? I just do not get it. Pushing and pulling is confusing too because it doesn't specify which direction a waveform is being pushed or pulled. But behind the beat is the opposite of what it should be. Late and early would make more sense.
hi chris, where you find all of those multitracks?
I got these from a friend who has a stash of stems from the Rock Band video game.
where did you get the stems from ?
Where can I download the multitrack?
Chris, how do you get those multitrack ? Can anybody ask for them (or buy them) ?
I got them from a friend who has a stash of stems from the Rock Band video game :)
Where does one get these master tracks?
there’s no bleed on the snare track…did they use a sample?
Its possible, but I doubt it... More likely a gate on the snare taking away the bleed.
Kurt Cobain... In the early nineties many people did not immediately understand who they were dealing with.
Im wondering how you got access to that
Ya wish he left a link for em
How do we get those multi-tracks?
I got them from a friend... I don't know where you can get them publicly, but I think these stems are taken from the rock band video game. Someone has extracted them for that game.
the 90s early 2000s were probably the golden age of production, this guys were all on analogic recording on cheap 57s and low fi equipment at times and they did amazing things, im allways amazed at the quality of grunge / pos grunge era, pure craftmansship and love
I wish it was 1991 today
Sometimes I wish that too!
Things were much easier in 1991
I would love to hear your personal opinion and analysis, even just in a response to this comment of Nirvana's "Moist Vagina." It's unique, dark and mysterious. Just curious
Floppy double
:) That's the official term of course...
Dat devil, Butch Vig