They're the best of the grunge bands, as far as I'm concerned. After that it's sort of a wash. Pearl Jam has the best body of work, Nirvana has the largest cultural cache, and being a metal fan, I always went nuts for Cantrell's sick guitar work.

It's weird, though, how all three bands that survived Cobain reached their height the same year he died. Pearl Jam released Ten, Vs. and Vitalogy in '91, '92 & '94, respectively, Alice did Facelift, Sap, Dirt and Jar of Flies in '91, '92, '92 again, and '94, and Soundgarden did Badmotorfinger ('91) and Superunknown ('94).

... Pearl Jam would only release one album that I thought was even close to being a whole good album ('98's Yield), but otherwise have released a series of albums that consist of one or two brilliant songs and a bunch of failed experiments.

Alice in Chains' self-titled album was a disappointment; there's only so often you can wallow in the muck, I guess, and Staley's tragic drug problems would eventually drown the band.

When I hear We Die Young, Nutshell or Dam That River, I'm inclined to agree. When I hear Grind or God Am, I'm not.

Chris Cornell is the best singer in the history of rock. And if all anyone thinks he can do is scream, I advise them to listen to the masterful Temple of the Dog again. He's beautiful and ferocious.

Could. I don't know if Axl can even sing Paradise City anymore. I've noticed on the last couple of live bootlegs he doesn't play it, which leads me to believe his vocal problems are extensive and for real.

Kim Thayill slays. He and Cantrell were the best guitar players of the era. Cobain wasn't really all that much of a guitar player; was a much better songwriter. Most other musicians didn't think Cobain could play at all, which Cobain defenders might argue was the point.

Pearl Jam must be a pretty good gig to have. They've pretty much reached their career aspiration of becoming Neil Young. There's very little radio hit pressure, and they pretty much can do whatever the fuck they want on an album because they have a solid core following that also turns out in droves for their live shows.

I've always got the impression that Sam Cooke didn't get due appreciation for his songwriting, something the programme was at pains to stress

SCISSOR SISTERS on SNL were almost there but not quite. Dig the concept, dig the songs, but the execution left me somewhat cold.

I am curious as to what Ehle thought of the show, I don't know Ehle, but I would respect his review more than Dan's. I hope he'll share his Pixie experience....