New Wave Outpost Forum

Inspired by all the other "this vs. that" threads popping up, I was reminded of when a co-worker of mine would play nothing but Nirvana. I'm not a big Nirvana fan. Anyway, we would all take turns putting something into the CD player at work, and when my time came, I put on Elvis Costello. When I did this, my Nirvana-loving co-worker had the nerve to cry out "oh, I HATE Elvis Costello! He's such a WHINER!" Of course, my head exploded at his outburst, and I tried to explain to him that there was no bigger self-indulgent feel-sorry-for-me whiner (IMHO) than Kurt Cobain, while Elvis Costello at least had intelligent, smart, and witty lyrics. We never convinced each other much of anything. So, I present to you: Elvis Costello or Kurt Cobain; who's the biggest whiner?
Discuss. [:D]

Kurt delivered a pretty powerful concert at the Palladium with no whining while Elvis postured and pontificated at the Universal Amphitheater (both quite awhile ago). However, if we count their spouses as part of the package deal, I'll take Elvis-Diana Kr

I really do not think you can compare them. Elvis Costello was a true innovator and has been able to cross many different styles of music. All Kurt did was to reinvent punk music (aka, teenage angst) for mainstream America to digest. I am not sure who

Whiner?
Well, Kurt is not doing much whining these days, so I will go with Marshall Crenshaw.
I mean, Buddy Holly.
Um,...Elvis.

Costello.
Yeah.[:I]

Well Kurt Cobain offed himself. I think that qualifies as the ultimate in whining. [}:)]

I just have a problem with this "I'm rich, I've got everything money could buy or anyone could possibly want, but I've decided to blow my head off".
I have much more respect for people who choke to death on their own vomit.
Yes that's the ultimate in w

IMO, and not to offend any of those who for some reason consider Cobain an icon, I never personally believed this, and Costello, he is light years beyond whatever Cobain or Nirvana would ever achieve. Costello, like it or not, has successfully ventured in

Well I would have to agree that Costello is a superior musician and overall songwriter. However, I didn't find him very charismatic in several TV interviews I've seen over years.

I've seen Nirvana live and they put on a great show. I've also read two

I don't think you can really compare them. Elvis Costello has had a much more varied career and released a ton of records in his 25+ years making music whereas Kurt Cobain was dead and gone after a skimpy four year career.

That said, I think Elvis Cost

I like Costello alot better as an artist. He was an original from the start and he still goes where he wants. Nirvana had its place but too grunge for me.

C'mon you asked new wavers that question elvis costello

I'm gonna veer off-topic here a slight bit. The comparison that I am making is Joe Strummer vs. Kurt Cobain. When Cobain died, it got more media attention than Mother Teresa's death. When Joe Strummer died, it was buried in the Bay Area newspapers. Ni

I understand your feelings about Strummer being a Clash fanatic myself, but I think it was Cobain's method of dying, and the fact that it was in the meat of his career that made it such a 'big deal'.

As for the thread topic - - I think Cobain's music W

I love both, but I'd have to go with Elvis Costello.

And non-musically related, but I have to add, Elvis Costello has superior taste in women [;)]

OMG! I did'nt even think of that aspect! Elvis Costello has it all over Kurt Cobain in that department. Come to think of it, just about ANYBODY who HAS'NT been with Courtney Love has it all over Kurt Cobain.

..and to think, he could've married the swee