Week 9 Video Reviews
In Bloom
Artist's Name:
Nirvana was one of the most famous and influential bands of the Seattle "grunge" bands
Song Title:
"In Bloom"
CD/Album Title
Nevermind
Year
1991
Record Company
DGC
Director
Kevin Kerslake
Narrative of Video:
The video begins with an announcer of a variety show who is seeming to imitate Ed Sullivan is on stage. He introduces Nirvana and pronounces their name incorrectly. The camera shows the audience filled with screaming young girls. On stage is Nirvana. The camera is far away so the image shows the band in front of a set that resembles the Taj Mahal The camera moves in close on Kurt Cobain. His hair is slicked down and he is wearing a pair of black thick framed glasses. He has on a striped suit jacket and tie. The camera moves out so that the whole band can be seen. Krist Novoselic and Dave Grohl are also wearing the same ties and jackets as Cobain. Grohl is wearing a blonde wig. The audience screaming continues as they begin playing "In Bloom". The camera moves to the side. Both Novoselic and Grohl are moving their heads in time to the music. The camera shows the audience. The girls in the audience look as though they came out of the the late 1950's early 1960's. They are screaming, jumping up and down, and going wild. The camera focuses in on Cobain. It moves back to the audience with a close up on one girl then wider to show more of the audience. They are still screaming. The camera once again focuses in on Nirvana. It is a wide shot so the whole stage and band is seen. The camera moves back to the audience and then back to the side shot of Nirvana. The screaming continues. The camera moves in close up on Cobain. The camera moves back to the audience. One girl has left the audience and is sneaking up to the stage. She knocks over the Taj Mahal set. The camera shows what appears to be a man wearing a dress and playing the guitar. The camera moves back to Cobain then back to the man or woman playing the guitar. He/she is dancing across the stage. The camera returns to Cobain but then moves back to the person in the dress. It appears that there are two of them now. The camera moves back to Cobain. The scene changes and it appears as if Nirvana is who are in the dresses. The scene changes back and forth between the two Nirvana bands. Another shot of a girl in the audience. Back to Nirvana in the suits. The camera then shows the audience who is getting even more out of control. The scene changes to Nirvana in the dresses. One is on the other's shoulders and they are hitting each other with large balls that look like they were part of the original set. The scene changes back to Cobain in the jacket then back to the other band who is getting out of control. One of them takes of a wig and it's Kurt Cobain. Grohl has on a different dress but he isn't wearing a wig anymore. They are tearing up the set. The scenes continue to move between the two Nirvana bands. The band in the striped jackets are tame and robotic, the band in the dresses are throwing their equipment around. The song ends and the variety show host returns to the stage. He closes the show. The screaming is still heard in the background. The video ends.
How the Music and Video Relate:
The video reflects the unique style of music that Nirvana played. They were obviously pushing the limits with this video but it doesn't seem to have anything to do with the song.
Review:
The video is unique inasmuch as it pairs the look of the variety show and early 1960's with the grunge sound. The video seems to be all about shock value rather than substance.