I disagree, it gives ventilation to negative emotion, and acts as a catharsis for ridding oneself of such things.
I agree that that releasing negative emotions can prove beneficial, and maybe even identifying with someone else's angst in a song, in order to release pent up emotion by proxy is a good thing. I can't comprehend it myself, but it doesn't mean I don't concede it is possible. There are a lot of people with different preferences, and I respect that, yet I am still dubious about recording negativity in music. As I see it, if you're feeling negative emotions, and you listen to negative music, you will perpetuate that feeling. I know it's a somewhat simplistic way of looking at things, but I stand by it.
The point of music is to express emotion, and not all emotions are "bright and fluffy", especially when someone is(as Kurt clearly was) dealing with depression, addiction, and other chronic health problems....and with 9 months of rain a year on top of that.
Agreed and understood, yet I'll risk infuriating you by saying, on my simplistic level, that if he'd concentrated on recording and performing happier music, maybe things would have been brighter for him. There is always choice involved.
Rock & Roll came from the Blues, and the Blues is likewise concerned with purging negative emotions...."having the blues" isn't a happy situation, but sharing the pain can offer some relief.
Very good point that. The blues is easier on my ears than Nirvana, and although I don't listen to much, I do enjoy blues tinged hard rock.
Party music is cool, but likewise, as with any valid artform, music has to be able to celebrate, mourn, and rage.
Different bands and artists have different specialties.
When considering music as Art, this is true. I do respect your views, but I operate on a different level perhaps. Music to me is entertainment. I'm not saying I never appreciate or identify with music beyond the range of good time party rock n' roll. I just know what I like best, and think that good time music has a positive, energising effect on people, which to my mind is the best legacy anyone can hope to achieve with musical expression.
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)s. Nirvana a few glam songs, KISS, Bowie, etc.