Religious Studies 2812

October 19^th, 2006

Annotated Bibliography

Academic Books

Cobb, Kelton. The Blackwell Guide to Theology and Popular Culture. Blackwell Publishing, 2005.

This book is an examination of the rapidly expanding field of theology and popular culture. It offers a collection of theological concepts that lend themselves to opening up the religious dimensions of works of popular culture. It gives a foundation to analyzing popular culture in reference to theology.

Cobain, Kurt. Journals. Riverhead Books, Penguin Putnam Inc., New York, 2002.

Kurt Cobain’s journals, revealing his thoughts and feelings on his music and career. He speaks of his band, his relationships and the inner demons he battles with on a daily basis. Covers his life from the time he started the band, Nirvana, up to his death, ending with his suicide note. This book will give insight into the mind of Kurt Cobain and how he can be paralleled with the Jesus Christ figure of the Bible.

Romanowski, William. Pop Culture Wars: Religion and the Role of Entertain in American Life. Intervarsity Press, Illinois, 1996.

An excellent commentary on how greatly entertainmnet affects the lives of Americans in today’s society and how closely entertainment is related to religion. Illustrates how bands use religion is their works and how their music affects people. Religion, by default, then affects the people as well. Nirvana’s lead man, Kurt Cobain played a large religious role in the lives of many young people of the early 90's by becoming a Christ -like figure.

Academic Articles

Cataldo, Jeremiah. The Journal of Religion and Popular Culture. "Popular Music on Christianity in the United States: Christianity’s Failure to Love." Volume IX, Spring 2005.

An article about Christianity’s pattern of oppression, hate and death go against its doctrines and how today’s musicians are addressing and criticizing this pattern. The Christian world hates rock and roll music but it is only because rock and roll artists continue to reveal the hypocrisy of the Christian world. The church and society and common themes in the songs written by Kurt Cobain and this article will help explain why Cobain and other rock artists are so hard on Christian life.

Dunbar, Dirk. The Journal of Religion and Popular Culture. "The Evolution of Rock and Roll: It’s Religious and Ecological Themes." Volume II, Fall 2002.

This article discusses how rock music is trying to turn society into anarchists. The beats and lyrics of rock and roll music tell youth how to become misfits in society and leads them to search for new definitions of spirituality. The overall evil of rock and roll mucic is throughly explained in this article.

Moreman, Christopher. The Journal of Religion and Popular Culture. "Devil Music and the Great Beast: Ozzy Osbourne, Aleister Crowley and the Christian Right." Volume V, Fall 2003.

Another article describing the evil of rock and roll music. This time, the author uses direct examples from the world of rock and roll, namely, Ozzy Osbourne. He has been called a Satanist on many occasions and is hated by the religious community. At the time, however, he is loved by the youth community for his take on society and his willingness to rebel against the norm. This article discusses the negative affects this has on the Christian Right, a powerful component of American culture.

Ross, Andrew, et al. Social Text. "A Symposium on Popular Culture and Political Correctness". Number 36, Autumn, 1993.

An article discussing how popular culture affects what is right and what is wrong to talk about in today’s society. If musicians address subjects openly that used to be taboo in culture it makes those subjects easier to breach in polite company. Singing and writing about homosexuals, suicide and depression make those areas popular topic of conversations where then used to be not talked about. Kurt Cobain brought to light youth isolation and depression, forcing society to deal with the growing feelings of loneliness present in the generation.

Wright, Robert. Popular Music. "‘I’d sell you suicide’: Pop Music and Moral Panic in the Age of Marilyn Manson". Volume IX, 2000.

An article addressing the state of panic that grips the masses during times when rock and roll musicians make remarks that are made to intentionally shock the public. The youth generation idolize these musicians and their hatred of society as a whole. This is dangerous because youth then feel that they can commit the same acts of rudeness and self-inflicted hurt that these "idols" commit. This article shows the indirect repercussions of pop music on a generation.

Internet Sources

An article describing the repercussions of idolizing a rock and roll icon. It is unwise to believe in nothing else but rock and roll band frontmen. It can be destructive and lead to delusional behaviour. There have been cases of youth believing that Kurt Cobain is still alive and there are many conspiracy theories surrounding his death.

A short commentary on the irony of the timing of Kurt Cobian’s suicide. He killed himself very close to Easter, which reinforces the theory that he is a Christ-like figure. Also, this article discusses his importance in the post-modern movement.

An online Christian organization dedicated to revealing the truth about musicians and their music. This particular outlines all the points that prove that Kurt Cobain was a devil worshiper if not some form of anti-Christ in himself.

A short biography of Kurt Cobain. Gives insight on his early life, as well as his home life while in the band, Nirvana. Tells of the repercussions of Cobain’s death on the youth culture of the time.

An essay outlining the problems and feelings faced by Kurt Cobain. Explains how he hated the public spotlight and vented his anger through his music. Also, gives a short explanation of why his family life as a child left Cobain depressed all of the time

A message forum where there are general facts given about Kurt Cobain, his band and his death. People are then able to port their own comments on these topics. Many conspiracy theories are outlined as well as other rumors to do with ownership rights of Cobain’s music.

An editorial about how even though Kurt Cobain has been dead for over ten years his legacy still lives on. The author talks to many of his friends about how they were inspired and helped by Cobain’s music in the early 90's and how they still respect and listen to it.

A home for all the die-hard fans of Nirvana. This site has been up since 1996 and is still frequented by many members daily. It is a source for information on the band and Kurt Cobain as well as place for members to post upcoming availability of Nirvana products.

A forum about the lyrics of the Meat Puppets song made popular by Nirvana. There are many posts about the Biblical symbols in the song and Cobain’s choice of the song for performance.

A list of facts outlining the life of Kurt Cobain, Nirvana, and the careers of the members of the band.