NIRVANA – HORMOANING (DGC)
With the desire and demand for Nirvana product far outweighing supply suddenly an import market was born. And this was the pricy prize release that could only be afforded by the fortunate (at the time).
The six song Hormoaning EP was a collection of two unused studio tracks and all four songs from the Peel session recorded on 21 October 1990 all of which were cover versions. The record was released in Australia and Japan in February 1992 to coincide with the band’s Asian tour. Later half the tracks would appear on Incesticide but for the longest time (with the “Smells Like Teen Spirit” single off the shelves and thus its b-sides with it) it felt like the only place “Even In His Youth” could be heard. Thus one day when feeling particularly partisan and flush I parted with £21 to Andy’s Record to buy the Japanese version of this CD.
The record opens with their cover of “Turnaround” originally by Devo. This has always seemed like a strange selection of cover to me as it has seemed to be a song Devo have buried themselves. It is the b-side to “Girl U Want” but other than a collection of demos, correct me if I’m wrong, I don’t think it has appeared focally on any of their releases. Regardless it is a great song that Nirvana enhances and does a lot of justice to.
Next up follows the Craig Montgomery version of “Aneurysm” that features on the “Smells Like Teen Spirit” single and not on Incesticide. This version is somewhat flatter than the aforementioned session cut and thus fails to compliment one of the best non-album (studio album) tracks in the band’s collection.
Another cover follows in the form of “D-7” which was originally by The Wipers. This is track was also recorded as part of the Peel session and later appeared on the “Lithium” single as a b-side. The song itself is a brooding, sounding almost slovenly and intoxicated in its build up before the song explodes to a twice the speed race to the finish that includes a weird rattling and whistling dose of feedback while Kurt screams his head off. This would not be the only song of The Wipers that the band covered as they would also cover “Return Of The Rat” for another compilation.
With tracks four and six Nirvana introduced the world to The Vaselines, an obscure eighties indie band from Scotland that were twee and a blatant inspiration to Belle And Sebastian and the like. Later to appear on Incesticide the songs “Molly’s Lips” and “Son Of A Gun” are something of a perfect correlation of indie song with a nursery rhythm. With insane repetition the lyrics are instantly memorable and thus songs that immediately win both hearts and minds. The greatest gift.
While not being spectacular this was a good solid EP. A handsome release.
Thesaurus moment: gratuity.
Nirvana
DGC
With the desire and demand for Nirvana product far outweighing supply suddenly an import market was born. And this was the pricy prize release that could only be afforded by the fortunate (at the time).
The six song Hormoaning EP was a collection of two unused studio tracks and all four songs from the Peel session recorded on 21 October 1990 all of which were cover versions. The record was released in Australia and Japan in February 1992 to coincide with the band’s Asian tour. Later half the tracks would appear on Incesticide but for the longest time (with the “Smells Like Teen Spirit” single off the shelves and thus its b-sides with it) it felt like the only place “Even In His Youth” could be heard. Thus one day when feeling particularly partisan and flush I parted with £21 to Andy’s Record to buy the Japanese version of this CD.
The record opens with their cover of “Turnaround” originally by Devo. This has always seemed like a strange selection of cover to me as it has seemed to be a song Devo have buried themselves. It is the b-side to “Girl U Want” but other than a collection of demos, correct me if I’m wrong, I don’t think it has appeared focally on any of their releases. Regardless it is a great song that Nirvana enhances and does a lot of justice to.
Next up follows the Craig Montgomery version of “Aneurysm” that features on the “Smells Like Teen Spirit” single and not on Incesticide. This version is somewhat flatter than the aforementioned session cut and thus fails to compliment one of the best non-album (studio album) tracks in the band’s collection.
Another cover follows in the form of “D-7” which was originally by The Wipers. This is track was also recorded as part of the Peel session and later appeared on the “Lithium” single as a b-side. The song itself is a brooding, sounding almost slovenly and intoxicated in its build up before the song explodes to a twice the speed race to the finish that includes a weird rattling and whistling dose of feedback while Kurt screams his head off. This would not be the only song of The Wipers that the band covered as they would also cover “Return Of The Rat” for another compilation.
With tracks four and six Nirvana introduced the world to The Vaselines, an obscure eighties indie band from Scotland that were twee and a blatant inspiration to Belle And Sebastian and the like. Later to appear on Incesticide the songs “Molly’s Lips” and “Son Of A Gun” are something of a perfect correlation of indie song with a nursery rhythm. With insane repetition the lyrics are instantly memorable and thus songs that immediately win both hearts and minds. The greatest gift.
While not being spectacular this was a good solid EP. A handsome release.
Thesaurus moment: gratuity.
Nirvana
DGC
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