Tech N9ne’s Absolute Power, Nirvana’s Nevermind and I All Have a Common Thread

by John M. Ellison IV

What does Absolute Power, Nevermind and I all have in common? We were all released on September 24th! Seriously, aside from the sentimental reasons, both Nevermind and Absolute Power both are critically acclaimed albums. On the top 20 albums and artists that I say influenced my style and musical tastes, these are definitely in the top 15 of that list. So, in this case I thought I would feature both albums in the same article.

To kick off this feature…I’m going to start with Nirvana’s Nevermind and then Tech N9ne’s Absolute Power.

In an era where you could find more weaves and hair spray on the pop charts than a Compton salon, the mutated mix of glam rock and heavy metal known as hair metal and synth pop reigned supreme until the early 90’s, specifically 1991. In this case, on September 24th 1991, two things happened, I turned seven years old and Nirvana released “Nevermind.”

Seriously, nobody expected a band from the Pacific Northwest who was inspired by a mixture of Iced Earth, The Pixies, The Beatles, The Ramones, Iggy and the Stooges, Bad Brains, Killing Joke and R.E.M. to actually a year later knock over Michael Jackson’s Dangerous album as the number one album on the billboard charts? Originally, the label expected Nervermind to barely get to Gold. But, Nevermind has gone Diamond, meaning it’s sold over 10 million copies.

With Nevermind, every song is a classic but, they’re three that stand out to me.

“Smells like Teen Spirit”

Just know that somewhere right now there’s some 12 year old that got their first guitar. More than likely, one of the songs they’re learning is probably “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” It’s a simple twangy 4 chord power chord intro (that progression being F5–B?5–A?5–D?5) that goes into a dynamic shift that’s reminiscent of The Pixies. In fact, in a January 1994 Rolling Stone interview, Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain revealed that “Smells like Teen Spirit” was an attempt to write a song in the style of the Pixies, a band he greatly admired. Here’s the quote:

“I was trying to write the ultimate pop song. I was basically trying to rip off the Pixies. I have to admit it. When I heard the Pixies for the first time, I connected with that band so heavily that I should have been in that band— or at least a Pixies cover band. We used their sense of dynamics, being soft and quiet and then loud and hard.”

“Territorial Pissings”

The intro sticks with me badly singing the Youngbloods “Get Together” as a jab to the optimism of the flower child era of the 60’s and 70’s that blasts into something that sounds like the bridge between Iggy and the Stooges “Search and Destroy” and just breaks down into pure adrenaline.

“Breed”

When I first heard this, I thought it sounded like the bridge between Iggy Pop and The Beatles. Like Territorial Pissings, this is a hard driving, yet more melodic tune that captures this earnest and sensitive side in the vocal delivery.

Absolute Power by Tech N9ne

I’m not kidding you, I discovered this album in ‘03, as corny and cliché as it might sound. It sounds like it was made for me. Ugh, that’s so arrogant to say. When it comes to it, rap and I have always had this awkward understanding. More or less, “it is what it is.” I have interests in a few artists but whatever. But, if anything, the kind of rap I had a preference for and still do prefer is the more melodic, rock based, speed flow, less bravado to more introspective, lyrically esoteric and progressive elements. Examples would include guys like Esham, DMX, MF Doom, Kool Keith, Twiztid and others like that more or less spoke to me. So, eventually I run across Tech N9ne.

Tech N9ne reminded me of a more rocked out Busta Rhymes and had this darker psychedelic quality like Esham. Interesting enough, my mom walked in and noticed I was watching the DVD that was on Absolute Power and said “you guys have the same hair!” Only difference was my hair was blue. My mom digs his music too.

I’ve said many times but I’ve actually tried to emulate his speed flow on guitar. So, oddly enough aside including guys like Steve Vai, Randy Rhodes and Buckethead, Tech N9ne is somebody that inspired me to play faster.

Imma Tell

Seriously, how many rappers can you say that they sampled “Mambo Italiano” and added little elements of opera it say it worked? Exactly, that’s why it sticks out to me.

Absolute Power

Aside from The Industry is Punks track, this is the returning F.T.I. theme with great electronic production from German producer RonnzfromBerlin. This song also hits on a personal note, I’m not kidding you; I have a cousin name Jay Farris and his name are pronounced the same as label founder of the former record label JCor, Jay Faires. Hilarious! To understand the reference, listen to the song.

Trapped in a Psycho’s Body

It’s this poetic, haunting track that interpolates the Ice-T classic of “Colors.” Every time I hear this song, it embodies that internal battle of good and evil that everybody has.

In closing, both of these albums have had a strong influence and direction of the music that I make and in a way helped develop my musical preferences. Really studying the albums, and learning about the respected artist’s influences, these albums inspired and influenced me to delve into realms of music that would puzzle the general public but gain the interest of true music lovers.