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Cobain Unseen (2008)

by Charles R. Cross(Favorite Author)

4.3 of 5 Votes: 4

ISBN

0316033723 (ISBN13: 9780316033725)

languge

English

genre

History & Biography

publisher

Little, Brown and Company

review 1: Cobain Unseen reveals the true side of the Grunge Artist Kurt Cobain. Cobain Unseen goes step by step in his detailed life starting from his childhood eventually to his tragic suicide. This book talks about his life at home and his life in his band NirvanaIn this biography it talks about Kurt's life as a child. At a young age Kurt was surrounded by a family with a history of suicide and drug addiction which eventually lead to some of his future decisions. But on the positive side Kurt's creative including music, art and collecting lead to his work we know today.Further in the book it describes Kurt depressing teen life. When he was a teenager he moved out of his parents house whom he hated to end up broke on the streets occasionally sleeping over at friends houses. Kurt al... moreso struggled with getting band members, a band name, an album, and a record label. But eventually Kurt climbs out of the ditch into the limelightAfter many poor attempts in making an album, Nirvana (Kurt Cobain, Dave Grohl, And Krist Novoselic) Came out with there legendary Album, Nevermind. After Nevermind fame grew and grew for kurt and along with many other problems in his life it became too much for Kurt and he committed suicide.I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the the rise and fall of the famous. Even though Kurt Cobain died at age 27 his legend lives on today.
review 2: Charles R. Cross (Heavier than Heaven) makes a return to a familiartopic with Cobain Unseen. In this meshing of photos, journal excerptsand bits of memorabilia, Cross attempts to bring further insight intothe life of one of rock and roll’s most mysterious and beloved frontmen, Kurt Cobain. This is not your typical biography. Cross doesn’tjust fill the book with the typical biographical information followedby some home pictures; no instead he goes much, much deeper into thelife and art of Kurt. Readers are treated to very entertaining bitsand stories from Cobain’s early life and through his rise to fame. Thebook’s 154 pages are filled with hundreds of beautiful pictures: shotsof Cobain as a kid, on stage, even quiet family moments. The imagesare wonderful counterparts for each other. Even better are theglimpses into Kurt’s creativity, given to us through paintings and letters done inhis own hand. There is even a CD of the troubled singer reading frompages of his journal.Cross chooses a scrapbook-style for Cobain Unseen, and it really seemsfitting as we learn more about Cobain’s collections, passions andartistic endeavors. The writing is on point and unencumbered by thetraditional style of most biographies. The author has no need for anover the top portrayal of his subject, and this results in writing thatis raw and real. It feels authentic to Kurt and parallels the style ofwriting in his songs. The book uses extensive research and interviewmaterials in a quick and entertaining manner that at no point feelsclunky or wordy. Cross of course has the benefit of having writtenHeavier than Heaven before this. Cobain Unseen isn’t necessarily forthose who are coming at Cobain, or Nirvana, for the first time. Withthis attempt, Cross has no need for the usual information. He doesn’tneed (or want to) introduce us to the people in Kurt’s life. Hefocuses on giving the reader a new view into the mind, the creativity, and even the madness, that was Kurt Cobain. He chooses to go for an indepth look at the pieces of history that came together to fuel andcreate Kurt's unique personality. This means newer readers may be leftto their own devices to understand or figure out the simpler of factsand stories involving Kurt. That fact should not hinder a reader newto the Cobain story from enjoying the book.These pieces and intimate recreations are punctuated with the author’sthoughts and research. It presents the life of the artist throughnever before seen photos, chaotically scribbled notes/lyrics, preciousmementos and art. These are the real gems of Cobain Unseen. The almostdizzying array of personal photos such as Cobain and his daughter, theconcerts, or even the shots as a baby and young child are unseenglimpses into the rock legend. We are given views of his entireemotional spectrum. Some match the raw and unrefined moments of his lyrics. They run the range from blurry and untouched to glossymagazine photo shoots. Included are slices of Cobain's interests, which are as odd and mystifying as the singer was. The odd dolls, masks, monkeys, and the love (shared with Courtney) of heart-shapedboxes, carved-up drawing figures and graffiti. One of the best partsof the book are the assorted fold-outs and removable items: ads forNirvana, a copy of Kurt's high school diploma, a CD of old songs,blurry letters, X-rays, a scrawled handwritten draft of "Smells LikeTeen Spirit," and even a handmade Thanksgiving day card made by ayoung Kurt. This helps ground the reader and the life of the singerwho took his own life.The diary like style employed by Cross immerses the reader in theworld that was Kurt Cobain. Cobain Unseen feels less like a biography, and more like a collage of Cobain's lifetime. Chaotic, pieced togethermoments and scraps perhaps not all that different than the ones Kurthimself glued and pieced together. If you’ve read Heavier Than Heavenor any of the other books on Kurt and Nirvana, you will still want tobuy this book. As a whole, the book is a great for any fan of Nirvanaor even someone who just loves music. less

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