The Pixies vs Nirvana

MidnightRambler · 06-19-2020, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mindfulness

NIRVANA WILL ALWAYS BE BETTER!

I saw the Pixies in 2012 (or was it 2013)?

When the hell is anyone going to be seeing Nirvana?

Yeah, thats what I thought.

MidnightRambler · 06-25-2020, 04:51 PM

The most talented member of Nivarna was David Grohl

Davey Moore · 01-05-2010, 01:19 PM

I'm not going to argue quality, because that's almost an impossibility, and frankly I'm not acquainted with The Pixies enough to pass judgement, I've really only heard Surfer Rosa, but I will say that Nirvana had a greater effect on music as a whole. Nirvana holds a special place in a lot of people, and I'm included in that.

It's an interesting poll, because these bands really are quite comparable, similar sounds, etc.

~~Odyshape~~ · 02-02-2010, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davey Moore

I'm not going to argue quality, because that's almost an impossibility, and frankly I'm not acquainted with The Pixies enough to pass judgement, I've really only heard Surfer Rosa, but I will say that Nirvana had a greater effect on music as a whole. Nirvana holds a special place in a lot of people, and I'm included in that.

It's an interesting poll, because these bands really are quite comparable, similar sounds, etc.

haha your the first person to agree

Vancouver · 02-02-2010, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davey Moore

I'm not going to argue quality, because that's almost an impossibility, and frankly I'm not acquainted with The Pixies enough to pass judgement, I've really only heard Surfer Rosa, but I will say that Nirvana had a greater effect on music as a whole. Nirvana holds a special place in a lot of people, and I'm included in that.

It's an interesting poll, because these bands really are quite comparable, similar sounds, etc.

Go get Doolittle. NOW!

**Janszoon** · 02-02-2010, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davey Moore

I'm not going to argue quality, because that's almost an impossibility, and frankly I'm not acquainted with The Pixies enough to pass judgement, I've really only heard Surfer Rosa, but I will say that Nirvana had a greater effect on music as a whole. Nirvana holds a special place in a lot of people, and I'm included in that.

And you call yourself a New Englander!

Rickenbacker · 02-08-2010, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davey Moore

I'm not going to argue quality, because that's almost an impossibility, and frankly I'm not acquainted with The Pixies enough to pass judgement, I've really only heard Surfer Rosa, but I will say that Nirvana had a greater effect on music as a whole. Nirvana holds a special place in a lot of people, and I'm included in that.

It's an interesting poll, because these bands really are quite comparable, similar sounds, etc.

Definitely recommend Doolittle... I'm not a huge fan of the album as a whole but songs like Monkey Gone to Heaven, Wave of Mutilation and Here Comes Your Man are better than anything Nirvana ever wrote and certainly more influential.

Cadrian · 02-09-2010, 01:02 PM

I always thought the Pixies were a band that inspired Grunge.... Why is it being compared?

but I guess that's what this whole thread has been about... Bitching about how bad the comparison is...

I figure most people raised in the 80s will enjoy the pixies more... The 90's will be Nirvana.

Ive always like Nirvana... But since being exposed the Pixies they are becoming one I am playing alot more. I think they will become one of my favs. Ill vote the same because of that.

Rainard Jalen · 02-12-2010, 06:01 AM

Well my two cents:

Sure. Nirvana were heavily influenced by Pixies, no question there. Cobain has spoken expressly of how he set out to emulate the Pixies' iconic soft-loud-soft-loud dynamic on Smells Like Teen Spirit, and you find the technique on a number of the most popular Nirvana songs. Indeed, those bands most heavily inspired by Nirvana (e.g. Bush) sought to repeat Nirvana's own use of the whole soft-loud stop-start thing. So a lineage leading back to Pixies is clearly established...

...but that's where it stops. The similarities end there. There's little else to tie Pixies' dark though generally upbeat, racy and fun-inflected groove to Nirvana's sinister, warped world of tortured and dread-fraught death rock. The stark contrast in mood makes the two bands for the most part entirely uncomparable.

Cobain penned some of the greatest mainstream rock hits of all time. In terms of pop credentials of course Nirvana must win the contest hands down. But in terms of raw songwriting ability, as can only be captured by the acid-test measure of overall consistency, Black Francis comes out of top. Nirvana had way too much fluff on their records. In Utero for instance was a great album, but not song-for-song. It is great when taken as a whole. Pixies on the other hand are great by the sum of their parts and the parts themselves.

Pixies are a better band for me on the whole, basing my judgment on diversity and consistency above all else.

TheCunningStunt · 02-12-2010, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rainard Jalen

Well my two cents:

Sure. Nirvana were heavily influenced by Pixies, no question there. Cobain has spoken expressly of how he set out to emulate the Pixies' iconic soft-loud-soft-loud dynamic on Smells Like Teen Spirit, and you find the technique on a number of the most popular Nirvana songs. Indeed, those bands most heavily inspired by Nirvana (e.g. Bush) sought to repeat Nirvana's own use of the whole soft-loud stop-start thing. So a lineage leading back to Pixies is clearly established...

...but that's where it stops. The similarities end there. There's little else to tie Pixies' dark though generally upbeat, racy and fun-inflected groove to Nirvana's sinister, warped world of tortured and dread-fraught death rock. The stark contrast in mood makes the two bands for the most part entirely uncomparable.

Cobain penned some of the greatest mainstream rock hits of all time. In terms of pop credentials of course Nirvana must win the contest hands down. But in terms of raw songwriting ability, as can only be captured by the acid-test measure of overall consistency, Black Francis comes out of top. Nirvana had way too much fluff on their records. In Utero for instance was a great album, but not song-for-song. It is great when taken as a whole. Pixies on the other hand are great by the sum of their parts and the parts themselves.

Pixies are a better band for me on the whole, basing my judgment on diversity and consistency above all else.

For me it's a case of The Pixies invented it, Nirvana did it better.

View Poll Results: Which band is better?
Pixies are way better	67	23.93%
I prefer The pixies	62	22.14%
I like them about the Same	40	14.29%
I prefer Nirvana	56	20.00%
Nirvana is way better	55	19.64%
Voters: 280. You may not vote on this poll

01-05-2010, 01:19 PM	#3 (permalink)
Davey Moore The Great Disappearer Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: URI Campus and Coventry, both in RI Posts: 462	I'm not going to argue quality, because that's almost an impossibility, and frankly I'm not acquainted with The Pixies enough to pass judgement, I've really only heard Surfer Rosa, but I will say that Nirvana had a greater effect on music as a whole. Nirvana holds a special place in a lot of people, and I'm included in that. It's an interesting poll, because these bands really are quite comparable, similar sounds, etc. __________________ The Edge... there is no honest way to explain it because the only people who really know where it is are the ones who have gone over.

06-25-2020, 04:51 PM	#2 (permalink)
MidnightRambler Music Addict Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: People's Republic of La Florida Posts: 130	The most talented member of Nivarna was David Grohl

02-09-2010, 01:02 PM	#8 (permalink)
Cadrian Music Addict Join Date: May 2009 Location: South Carolina Posts: 111	I always thought the Pixies were a band that inspired Grunge.... Why is it being compared? but I guess that's what this whole thread has been about... Bitching about how bad the comparison is... I figure most people raised in the 80s will enjoy the pixies more... The 90's will be Nirvana. Ive always like Nirvana... But since being exposed the Pixies they are becoming one I am playing alot more. I think they will become one of my favs. Ill vote the same because of that.

02-12-2010, 06:01 AM	#9 (permalink)
Rainard Jalen Music Addict Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 2,219	Well my two cents: Sure. Nirvana were heavily influenced by Pixies, no question there. Cobain has spoken expressly of how he set out to emulate the Pixies' iconic soft-loud-soft-loud dynamic on Smells Like Teen Spirit, and you find the technique on a number of the most popular Nirvana songs. Indeed, those bands most heavily inspired by Nirvana (e.g. Bush) sought to repeat Nirvana's own use of the whole soft-loud stop-start thing. So a lineage leading back to Pixies is clearly established... ...but that's where it stops. The similarities end there. There's little else to tie Pixies' dark though generally upbeat, racy and fun-inflected groove to Nirvana's sinister, warped world of tortured and dread-fraught death rock. The stark contrast in mood makes the two bands for the most part entirely uncomparable. Cobain penned some of the greatest mainstream rock hits of all time. In terms of pop credentials of course Nirvana must win the contest hands down. But in terms of raw songwriting ability, as can only be captured by the acid-test measure of overall consistency, Black Francis comes out of top. Nirvana had way too much fluff on their records. In Utero for instance was a great album, but not song-for-song. It is great when taken as a whole. Pixies on the other hand are great by the sum of their parts and the parts themselves. Pixies are a better band for me on the whole, basing my judgment on diversity and consistency above all else.