Journals

Rating:
Summary: A must have for songwriters.
Review: Basically it's Kurt's scrapbook. As the box set of his demos finally sees the light of day, I'm sure people are going to look into getting this book as well. If you have bought the box set, get this book as well.

All songwriters have a journal with them at all times. You never know when an idea is going to hit you. Many Denny's napkins hang in the Rock Hall and Hard Rock Cafes around the world proving that... I think that if you're starting out in a rock band and want to see how a song can come together, Kurt does write out a decent road map on the lyrics end of it.

I don't think it's a "great" book or essential book (except for people who are songwriters, I feel this one is more useful for them) as much as it is an insight (although I'm sure edited for obvious reasons) of a young guy in a band who writes songs, scraps of poems, drawings (lots of fetuses) criticisms of the day about other bands, his favorite bands and songs, set lists, fliers, rough drafts of album covers, etc. But I would search out Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan's recently released bio, and Lou Reed's collected lyrics as well as this one. I don't feel any of them in particular will make you a great songwriter, but they all serve as tools to a craft.

I think most people bought the book to see if there were hints that he was going to kill himself, and I guess if you look hard enough you'll find it, but not as much as him growing bored with being in a successful band under the limelight. You do sense that he tries to hold on to what integrity he has left as he plays the big venues and does big budget videos.

The only other thing I can say about the "Journals" is to check out some of the bands he's mentioning... they're just as important as any of the songs he did with Nirvana...

Even if you don't like Nirvana, it'll serve as a guide what NOT to do in that case.

Rating:
Summary: Not Really
Review: I am a big Nirvana fan, I had concitered over the last year or so weather or not to buy Journals. So I bought a used copy. I know that Kurt would have not wanted his writings published, HOWEVER... Seeming that it has been so edited by Courtney, It hardley can be concitered Kurts private thoughts. More like words he once wrote and Courtney organized to how she saw fit. To Boycott Journals because of Courtney Love is one thing, But to do it because its "raping" Kurt is ludacrist, Courtney is the real Author of this book.

Rating:
Summary: ...
Review: I HATE how people are saying it's "disgusting" reading Kurt's Journals...If you don't think it's right, then don't read it.Make a choice for yourself.Kurt's gone and his privacy should be respected, however, people are going to buy Journals no matter what you say. I only flipped through it in the book store the other day. Interesting to say the least. And I'm going to buy it. Despite all the bashing I've read about it. Despite the fact that it's repeating facts I already know [he was a druggie, suicidal, such and such]. Despite the fact that buying it will help Courtney more than anyone else. When I die, if I'm a recognized celebrity I would want my journals to be published. It's a way for fans to see more about the person they idolize.I'm not saying I idolize Kurt and thats why I'm buying. I'm just saying there is people like that.

Rating:
Summary: Hold Out
Review: I most likely know more about the band then anyone here, and I am lead to perpetuate the belief that this is an invasion of privacy. Some say that it is no better to exploit unreleased music then read someone's (kurt's) private journals. I don't know how one could associate the two to even be on the same level. Read a biography such as Come As You Are, but if you know anything about Kurt Cobain, you'd know that he would kill himself again knowing this was released.

Rating:
Summary: suprisingly satisfying read!
Review: I would not have bought the book myself, but I received it as a Christmas present. My thoughts on the releasing of KC's diaries were, of course, negative. As a long time fan of Nirvana, I just knew he would not want anyone to read his personal literature. As I was reading through the book, which is entirely in his handwriting, I found myself (with much surprise!) enjoying the material. There are lots of simple drawings and comic type cartoons, all with KC's legendary wit and sarcasm. They show a young, extremely motivated Cobain planning many of his life's adventures, and crafting his band with his own will and courage. It also shows Cobain in his low times, but those particular writings only reinforce the fact that he was not himself in those last couple of years. I have to say I believe the book paints an accurate and appropriate picture of one of the most misunderstood musicians of our decade. After all, Kurt had lots of great opinions and thoughts, and the book allows him to speak to his fans one last time on the issues he felt were most important during his short, intense life.

Rating:
Summary: Fascinatingly diguieting
Review: I'll be the first to admit I was a little uneasy about buying this book,due to the fact I felt reading it could be wrong.However I did buy this book,possibly out of nothing more than pure curiosity. I must say if you are a true heartfelt fan of Kurt Cobain,you should go out and buy this book.If you are not a true fan I will advise you to leave this book alone because as one of the covers states "If you read you'll judge". This book is not written in bland computerized letters,but printed in Kurt's own handwriting,page for page exactly how Kurt wrote it.Much of what is in this book is fascinating.Cobain's cartoons,sketches and doodles,like his music,blend disturbing imagery with humor.Would Kurt Cobain,grunge anti hero,be horrified to see these thoughts published? Nevermind Kurt.Here we are now.Entertain us.

Rating:
Summary: You be the Judge
Review: I've always been fascinated by Kurt Cobain. Although I'm only thirteen, I've sensed some sort of connection between me and his music. Like most people, I wanted to peek inside his mind; I wanted to know everything. Everything thought, every dream, every moment, every mood. Who doesn't? Maybe some would consider it violating, reading his own personal journals, but you just can't help but want to. And it was worth it. Do I feel guilty? Not at all.

Kurt's journals are one of the fewer *real* life account diaries in which is genius. If anyone who has read the Diary of Anne Frank, you can bet Journals by Kurt Cobain is just as remarkable on its own. You can follow Kurt on the same journey as you did with Anne; Through the happy times, the sad times, and times when you just don't know how to feel but try to anyway. The outcome is amazing. Filled with doodlings, letters, funny yet sarcastic-mocking comics, shopping lists, and random writings from Kurt.

You can also note from his writings that Kurt was not afraid to say what he wanted to say. He did not fear anyone, although sometimes he feared himself. He believed grunge and punk rock was more than multi-coloured hair, worn out Metallica t-shirts and wallet chains; He believed it was all about how you are and your attitude about everything. You couldn't just become it overnight.. It was something that was in your soul, like you already were it. He speaks of how he seemed to be lured into everything. And also how people judge without knowing, and how he could see through people, love people, and find good in everyone.

I'm not telling you to read it. I'm not telling you not to read it. Some might argue it's an invasion of privacy, his privacy. That some things are better left alone, untouched, unjudged. Maybe so. Others might tell you to read it. What would it hurt? Maybe so. But if you really wanted to know Kurt, on a much more deeper level, more personal, I would say read it. But I'm not telling you, remember?

'Don't read this when I'm gone. Okay, I'm going to work now. Look through my thoughts, and figure me out'-Kurt Cobain

Indeed, Kurt. Indeed.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: If you think you knew Kurt Cobain, Journals will set you straight.

Excellent writing, about the enigma of Kurt.

Rating:
Summary: review
Review: Some of you people need to calm down and get a grip, dont be all like " well I dont think Kurt Cobain would like this, and its Courtneys scheme" so be it. If you despise it so much dont buy it.

I will admit i was to young to remember his suicide, but after reading a book on him I found he was a simple and amazing man who had a passion for what he did. I love every one of his songs. Im not saying im better at guitar than him, but he was a kinda crappy guitarist, but an amazing and inspiring song writer. I like to this man is my hero. BUY JOURNALS BUY JOURNALS BUY JOURNALS BUY JOURNALS!

Rating:
Summary: review
Review: The problem with the people who give Journals a negative review is the fact they haven't read Journals. And the kicker is that these so-called "fans" are so terrified of reading it and somehow "desecrating" Kurt Cobain's soul in the process that they dare not read it. These tpes of people don't even belong here reviewing something they haven't even read let alone opened with their own hands. It's not like Kurt's going to come back from the dead to haunt any of you people; None of you are even worth it. Anyway, Journals is a good read for anyone interested in the documentation of an every-man's life because it's such a rare thing to see someone's letters of any profession, word-for-word (the airbrushing was a rumor... or not!), in their own handwriting. To the naysayers: Go naysay your heads off, and don't come back 'til you read Journals.