Nirvana - Discography (1989-1996) [Japanese Original Pressing] Re-up

Considered by many to be the leading lights of the Seattle grunge scene of the late 1980s/early 1990s, and perhaps the most influential rock band of Generations X & Y, Nirvana was a powerful trio of musicians who brought a unique aesthetic to a growing-stale rock scene. They had already made some waves on Sub Pop with their debut, "Bleach". But it wasn't until their major-label debut for DGC/Geffen Records, 1991's "Nevermind" - perhaps, more specifically, the first 30 seconds of "Smells Like Teen Spirit" - that they broke into the mainstream of America - not really because they wanted to. Lead singer frontman Kurt Cobain's death (suspected suicide) in April 1994 brought an untimely end to the band. Drummer Dave Grohl went on to form the Foo Fighters. In the fall of 2004, "With The Lights Out" (a 3-CD/DVD set of mostly unreleased material) confirmed that interest in the band is still very high. Most young rock stars today will likely cite Nirvana as a major influence on them.

~ discogs

This is one case where the legend really precedes the record itself. Cut for about 600 dollars in Jack Endino's studio over just a matter of days, this captures Nirvana at a formative stage, still indebted to the murk that became known as grunge, yet not quite finding their voice as songwriters. Which isn't to say that they were devoid of original material, since even at this stage Kurt Cobain illustrated signs of his considerable songcraft, particularly on the minor-key ballad "About a Girl" and the dense churn of "Blew." A few songs come close to that level, but that's more a triumph of sound than structure, as "Negative Creep" and "School" get by on attitude and churn, while the cover of "Love Buzz" winds up being one of the highlights because this gives a true menace to their sound, thanks to its menacing melody. The rest of it sinks into the sludge, as the group itself winds up succumbing to grinding sub-metallic riffing that has little power, due to lack of riffs and lack of a good drummer. Bleach is more than a historical curiosity since it does have its share of great songs, but it isn't a lost classic – it's a debut from a band that shows potential but haven't yet achieved it.

by Stephen Thomas Erlewine, AMG

Tracklist:

01. Blew (Kurt Cobain) (2:55)
02. Floyd The Barber (Kurt Cobain) (2:18)
03. About A Girl (Kurt Cobain) (2:48)
04. School (Kurt Cobain) (2:42)
05. Love Buzz (Robbie van Leeuwen) (3:35)
06. Paper Cuts (Kurt Cobain) (4:06)
07. Negative Creep (Kurt Cobain) (2:55)
08. Scoff (Kurt Cobain) (4:10)
09. Swap Meet (Kurt Cobain) (3:03)
10. Mr. Moustache (Kurt Cobain) (3:24)
11. Sifting (Kurt Cobain) (5:24)
12. Big Cheese (Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic) (3:42)
13. Downer (Kurt Cobain) (1:45)

Nevermind was never meant to change the world, but you can never predict when the Zeitgeist will hit, and Nirvana's second album turned out to be the place where alternative rock crashed into the mainstream. This wasn't entirely an accident, either, since Nirvana did sign with a major label, and they did release a record with a shiny surface, no matter how humongous the guitars sounded. And, yes, Nevermind is probably a little shinier than it should be, positively glistening with echo and fuzzbox distortion, especially when compared with the black-and-white murk of Bleach. This doesn't discount the record, since it's not only much harder than any mainstream rock of 1991, its character isn't on the surface, it's in the exhilaratingly raw music and haunting songs. Kurt Cobain's personal problems and subsequent suicide naturally deepen the dark undercurrents, but no matter how much anguish there is on Nevermind, it's bracing because he exorcizes those demons through his evocative wordplay and mangled screams – and because the band has a tremendous, unbridled power that transcends the pain, turning into pure catharsis. And that's as key to the record's success as Cobain's songwriting, since Krist Novoselic and Dave Grohl help turn this into music that is gripping, powerful, and even fun (and, really, there's no other way to characterize "Territorial Pissings" or the surging "Breed"). In retrospect, Nevermind may seem a little too unassuming for its mythic status – it's simply a great modern punk record – but even though it may no longer seem life-changing, it is certainly life-affirming, which may just be better.

by Stephen Thomas Erlewine, AMG

Tracklist:

01. Smells Like Teen Spirit (Kurt Cobain, Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic) (5:02)
02. In Bloom (Kurt Cobain) (4:15)
03. Come As You Are (Kurt Cobain) (3:39)
04. Breed (Kurt Cobain) (3:04)
05. Lithium (Kurt Cobain) (4:17)
06. Polly (Kurt Cobain) (2:57)
07. Territorial Pissings (Kurt Cobain. Intro lyrics by Chet Powers) (2:23)
08. Drain You (Kurt Cobain) (3:44)
09. Lounge Act (Kurt Cobain) (2:37)
10. Stay Away (Kurt Cobain) (3:32)
11. On A Plain (Kurt Cobain) (3:16)
12. Something In The Way (Kurt Cobain) & Endless, Nameless (Kurt Cobain, Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic) (20:38)

Buying time and thwarting bootleggers, Nirvana and DGC released the rarities compilation Incesticide toward the end of 1992. Like any odds'n'sods collection, this is uneven, but that's its charm since it captures Nirvana's character better than any official album. After all, this was a band that was born equally from '70s sludge metal, bubblegum pop, post-punk artiness, and indie rock inclusiveness, each of which are apparent on this collection. There are some non-entities here, particularly on the second side, but the plodding sub-metallic grind was part of their identity, one part of their multi-faceted character. Nirvana meant everything to everyone, from the jangle pop veterans to the garage rock ravers that worshipped the Stooges to stoner metal fetishes and indie rock bed-sits that adopted Sebadoh just as they outgrew Morrissey – everybody loved Nirvana, and there's something for every kind fan here, thanks to murky sludge, Devo and Vaseline covers, BBC sessions, instrumentals, and limited-edition singles, plus sub-Melvins goop, everything visceral where Bleach was tame. Nevermind doesn't capture this freewheeling indie spirit but Incesticide does, piling on some essentials in the meantime – the pummeling "Dive," the childhood snapshot "Sliver," the terrific forgotten indie pop tune "Been a Son," and "Aneurysm," perhaps the greatest single song the group ever recorded. Yeah, there's some filler here, but this is the sound of what Nirvana was actually like.

by Stephen Thomas Erlewine, AMG

Tracklist:

01. Dive (Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic. Madison, WI, Smart Studios, April 2, 1990 – April 6, 1990) (3:56)
02. Sliver (Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic. Seattle, WA, Reciprocal Recording Studios, July 11, 1990) (2:16)
03. Stain (Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic. Seattle, WA, Music Source Studios, September 1989) (2:41)
04. Been A Son (Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic. London, England, Maida Vale Studio 4, November 9, 1991) (1:56)
05. Turnaround (Mark Mothersbaugh, Gerald Casale. London, England, Maida Vale Studio 3, The John Peel Session, October 21, 1990) (2:19)
06. Molly's Lips (Eugene Kelly, Frances McKee. London, England, Maida Vale Studio 3, The John Peel Session, October 21, 1990) (1:54)
07. Son Of A Gun (Eugene Kelly, Frances McKee. London, England, Maida Vale Studio 3, The John Peel Session, October 21, 1990) (2:48)
08. (New Wave) Polly (Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic, David Grohl. London, England, Maida Vale Studio 4, The Mark Goodier Session, November 9, 1991) (1:48)
09. Beeswax (Kurt Cobain. First studio demo tape. Seattle, WA, Reciprocal Recording Studios, January 23, 1988) (2:50)
10. Downer (Kurt Cobain. First studio demo tape. Seattle, WA, Reciprocal Recording Studios, January 23, 1988) (1:44)
11. Mexican Seafood (Kurt Cobain. First studio demo tape. Seattle, WA, Reciprocal Recording Studios, January 23, 1988) (1:55)
12. Hairspray Queen (Kurt Cobain. First studio demo tape. Seattle, WA, Reciprocal Recording Studios, January 23, 1988) (4:14)
13. Aero Zeppelin (Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic. First studio demo tape. Seattle, WA, Reciprocal Recording Studios, January 23, 1988) (4:42)
14. Big Long Now (Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic. Seattle, WA, Reciprocal Recording Studios, The Bleach recording session, December 1988 – January 1989) (5:03)
15. Aneurysm (Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic, David Grohl. London, England, Maida Vale Studio 4, The Mark Goodier Session, November 9, 1991) (4:38)

Nirvana probably hired Steve Albini to produce In Utero with the hopes of creating their own Surfer Rosa, or at least shoring up their indie cred after becoming a pop phenomenon with a glossy punk record. In Utero, of course, turned out to be their last record, and it's hard not to hear it as Kurt Cobain's suicide note, since Albini's stark, uncompromising sound provides the perfect setting for Cobain's bleak, even nihilistic, lyrics. Even if the album wasn't a literal suicide note, it was certainly a conscious attempt to shed their audience – an attempt that worked, by the way, since the record had lost its momentum when Cobain died in the spring of 1994. Even though the band tempered some of Albini's extreme tactics in a remix, the record remains a deliberately alienating experience, front-loaded with many of its strongest songs, then descending into a series of brief, dissonant squalls before concluding with "All Apologies," which only gets sadder with each passing year. Throughout it all, Cobain's songwriting is typically haunting, and its best moments rank among his finest work, but the over-amped dynamicism of the recording seems like a way to camouflage his dispiritedness – as does the fact that he consigned such great songs as "Verse Chorus Verse" and "I Hate Myself and Want to Die" to compilations, when they would have fit, even illuminated the themes of In Utero. Even without those songs, In Utero remains a shattering listen, whether it's viewed as Cobain's farewell letter or self-styled audience alienation. Few other records are as willfully difficult as this.

by Stephen Thomas Erlewine, AMG

Tracklist:

01. Serve The Servants (Kurt Cobain) (3:37)
02. Scentless Apprentice (Kurt Cobain, Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic) (3:48)
03. Heart-Shaped Box (Kurt Cobain) (4:41)
04. Rape Me (Kurt Cobain) (2:50)
05. Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge On Seattle (Kurt Cobain) (4:10)
06. Dumb (Kurt Cobain) (2:32)
07. Very Ape (Kurt Cobain) (1:56)
08. Milk It (Kurt Cobain) (3:55)
09. Pennyroyal Tea (Kurt Cobain) (3:37)
10. Radio Friendly Unit Shifter (Kurt Cobain) (4:51)
11. tourette's (Kurt Cobain) (1:35)
12. All Apologies (Kurt Cobain) & Gallons Of Rubbing Alcohol Flow Through The Strip (Kurt Cobain, Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic) (31:35)

If In Utero is a suicide note, MTV Unplugged in New York is a message from beyond the grave, a summation of Kurt Cobain's talents and pain so fascinating, it's hard to listen to repeatedly. Is it the choice of material or the spare surroundings that make it so effective? Well, it's certainly a combination of both, how the version of the Vaselines' "Jesus Doesn't Want Me for a Sunbeam" or the three covers of Meat Puppets II songs mean as much as "All Apologies" or "Something in the Way." This, in many senses, isn't just an abnormal Nirvana record, capturing them in their sincerest desire to be R.E.M. circa Automatic for the People, it's the Nirvana record that nobody, especially Kurt, wanted revealed. It's a nakedly emotional record, unintentionally so, as the subtext means more than the main themes of how Nirvana wanted to prove its worth and diversity, showcasing the depth of their songwriting. As it turns out, it accomplishes its goals rather too well; this is a band, and songwriter, on the verge of discovering a new sound and style. Then, there's the subtexts, as Kurt's hurt and suicidal impulses bubble to the surface even as he's trying to suppress them. Few records are as unblinkingly bare and naked as this, especially albums recorded by their peers. No other band could have offered covers of David Bowie's "The Man Who Sold the World" and the folk standard "Where Did You Sleep Last Night" on the same record, turning in chilling performances of both – performances that reveal as much as their original songs.

by Stephen Thomas Erlewine, AMG

Tracklist:

01. About A Girl (Kurt Cobain) (3:38)
02. Come As You Are (Kurt Cobain) (4:14)
03. Jesus Doesn't Want Me For A Sunbeam (Eugene Kelly, Francis McKee) (4:37)
04. The Man Who Sold The World (David Bowie) (4:21)
05. Pennyroyal Tea (Kurt Cobain) (3:40)
06. Dumb (Kurt Cobain) (2:53)
07. Polly (Kurt Cobain) (3:16)
08. On A Plain (Kurt Cobain) (3:45)
09. Something In The Way (Kurt Cobain) (4:02)
10. Plateau (Curt Kirkwood) (3:38)
11. Oh Me (Curt Kirkwood) (3:26)
12. Lake Of Fire (Curt Kirkwood) (2:56)
13. All Apologies (Kurt Cobain) (4:23)
14. Where Did You Sleep Last Night (Huddie Ledbetter) (5:08)

From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah is the second posthumous Nirvana record, an attempt to capture Nirvana at the peak of its powers on stage. That doesn't necessarily mean all the band's best-known songs are here – "Come as You Are," "All Apologies," and "About a Girl" are all absent – but it does mean that this is the closest representation to what Nirvana sounded like on-stage. It may not be perfect and it's a little scattershot due to its varied source material (the tapes were recorded anywhere between 1989 and 1994), but it's still a terrific record, thanks to a sharp selection of performances and a set list that relies on B-sides, album tracks, and album favorites, highlighting the group at its best. It's not necessary, but it still finds a great band in top form.

by Stephen Thomas Erlewine, AMG

Tracklist:

01. Intro (0:53)
02. School (Kurt Cobain. Amsterdam, Holland, Paradiso, November 25, 1991. Recorded by VPRO-TV) (2:40)
03. Drain You (Kurt Cobain. Del Mar Fairgrounds, CA, December 28, 1991. Recorded by Westwood One. Mixed by Andy Wallace) (3:35)
04. Aneurysm (Kurt Cobain, Nirvana. Del Mar Fairgrounds, CA, December 28, 1991. Recorded by Westwood One. Mixed by Andy Wallace) (4:32)
05. Smells Like Teen Spirit (Kurt Cobain, Nirvana. Del Mar Fairgrounds, CA, December 28, 1991. Recorded by Westwood One. Mixed by Andy Wallace) (4:47)
06. Been A Son (Kurt Cobain. Amsterdam, Holland, Paradiso, November 25, 1991. Recorded by VPRO-TV) (2:07)
07. Lithium (Kurt Cobain. Amsterdam, Holland, Paradiso, November 25, 1991. Recorded by VPRO-TV) (4:10)
08. Sliver (Kurt Cobain. Civic Center, Springfield, MA, November 10, 1993. Recorded by Craig Overbay) (1:56)
09. Spank Thru (Kurt Cobain. Il Castello Vi De porta, Castello 41 Rome, November 19, 1991. Recorded by Stereoral) (3:10)
10. Scentless Apprentice (Kurt Cobain, Nirvana. Pier 48, Seattle, WA, December 13, 1993. Recorded by Scott Litt. Mixed by Andy Wallace) (3:31)
11. Heart-Shaped Box (Kurt Cobain. Great Western Forum, LA, CA, December 30, 1993. Recorded by Craig Overbay) (4:42)
12. Milk It (Kurt Cobain. Seattle Center Arena, January 5, 1994. Recorded by Craig Overbay. Mixed by Andy Wallace) (3:46)
13. Negative Creep (Kurt Cobain. Paramount Theatre, Seattle, WA, October 31, 1991. Recorded and mixed by Andy Wallace) (2:44)
14. Polly (Kurt Cobain. Astoria Theatre, London, December 5, 1989. Recorded by Craig Montgomery) (2:30)
15. Breed (Kurt Cobain. Astoria Theatre, London, December 5, 1989. Recorded by Craig Montgomery) (3:28)
16. tourette's (Kurt Cobain. The Reading Festival, England, August 30, 1992. Recorded by Fujisankei Communications Int. Inc.) (1:55)
17. Blew (Kurt Cobain. Amsterdam, Holland, Paradiso, November 25, 1991. Recorded by VPRO-TV) (3:37)





All thanks go to Misantrop