Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #99522 in Music
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .22 pounds

Amazon.co.uk Review
Though fans will endlessly argue about the selection of tracks (what, no "Breed"?), there's no denying that the songs on Nirvana are all classics. Nirvana were the most influential band of their generation, galvanising the then-underground indie scene and bringing their music to the masses. Though their career was cut short by the suicide of singer and songwriter Kurt Cobain, they left in their wake a massive shift in popular music and popular culture, much like punk a generation earlier (or the Beatles before that).

The 14 tracks on Nirvana chart their career, from the first album on Sub Pop ("About a Girl") to the song ("Smells Like Teen Spirit") and album (Nevermind) that changed everything, and the subsequent rarities collection (Incesticide's "Sliver", "Been a Son"), the superb follow-up album (In Utero's "Rape Me", "Heart-Shaped Box", "Pennyroyal Tea") and their classic MTV Unplugged session ("The Man Who Sold the World"). For fans and completists, there's even a previously unreleased track, "You Know You're Right". Of course, it's a superb collection, but at 14 tracks it seems a bit short. Here's hoping there's a double-CD version just around the corner. Maybe even a box set…--Robert Burrow

Customer Reviews

GREAT!
I had been debating for a while how many stars I should give this. Being one of my favourite and possibly the greatest band of all time, it should get five stars no matter, right? It has all of Nirvana's hits, the inclusion of the long awaited, previously unreleased track 'You Know You're Right', and has a fantastic alternative version of 'Been A Son'. But to call this a greatest hits album would be wrong. I mean, where's 'Love Buzz', 'Oh, The Guilt', and the original 'All Apologies'? And that is why I feel I have to give this four stars.

But don't get me wrong, this is a superb album. I felt let down at first when I heard about this new release, as I had been hoping for many more previously unreleased tracks, and being the big Nirvana fan that I am, I already have most of the songs included. But on first listen I was very pleasantly surprised.

To start the album off is the long awaited 'You Know You're Right'. It was to be the final song Nirvana ever made. It has been floating around the net for a while now, but the sound quality really lets it down when compared to the album version. It's a highly powerful song, and quite a different offering from the band, which needs to be listened to in its best form for greatest effect.

The classic 'About A Girl' has been given the full 're-master' treatment. It sounds so different to the original, I thought it was an alternative version at first! Compare this to the 'Bleach' version and you'll hear the difference.

The alternative version of 'Been A Son' is in my opinion the best version. Compared to the track on 'Incesticide' it has a more relaxed and (strangely) up beat feel about it. There's less energy in Kurts voice, but even at a lower pitch he still sounds great, and the song takes on a whole different feel.

'Sliver' is 2 minutes and 15 seconds of pure, raw energy. Yes, it has been polished up and provided with a slightly more crisp and clear sound, but it's re-mastering hasn't detracted from its qualities.

This album wouldn't be complete without 'Smells Like Teen Spirit'. So what can I say about it that hasn't already been said before? It made Nirvana a phenomenon, and brought alternative music to the mainstream. If you haven't heard it, where have you been?? But there were better tracks that followed that so many seemed to miss. 'Come As You Are' for instance. The ultimate 'grunge' (can I say that word?) song, and the second highlight on the incredible 'Nevermind' album. The third highlight goes to 'Lithium'. I've always felt this song was written for me. The build up to the raging chorus and all those 'yeahs' is superb. And after all these years its still enough to make a whole disfuntional generation jump, and scream out, 'Yeah!'. And last but not least 'In Bloom'. It would have been nice to see the original version from 1990 on this album, but this later version sounds just as good, and is the most recognised of the two.

'Heart-Shapped Box' leads off the 'In Utero' section of the album, and what an amazing song it is. It features some of Cobains best and somewhat darkest lyrics, and I think signalled a new direction for Nirvana's music.

Scott Litt's mix of 'Pennyroyal Tea' features next, and it sounds incredible! Kurts voice screams out in agony, but has never sounded so good. It would have been Nirvana's last single, had it been released, and could only be found on the U.S. release of 'In Utero' until now.

At first I was a bit surprised to see 'Rape Me' on this album, but then I forget how much of an anthem it became. Is it an anti-rape song as Kurt once said in an interview or, is it really a cry for help from the man himself? Whatever it may mean, this simple song came straight from the heart of Kurt Cobain.

'Dumb' in a word is beautiful, and is one of my favourite Nirvana Songs. It's the only studio accoustic song on the album, which begs the question, where is 'Polly'?

The next three songs, 'All Apologies', 'The Man Who Sold The World', and 'Where Did You Sleep Last Night', are from Nirvana's amazing live Unplugged performance for MTV. Each show a completely different side and sound to Nirvana's music. Would they have taken a more accoustic route in the future? Sadly, we will never know.

A Great Collection Of Great Songs
It's impossible to review this compilation without making some reference to the tracks that were ommitted. But to ignore exactly what is left on the CD would a heinous crime. Certainly it is the poppier side of Nirvana, that cannot be argued, and as someone who enjoyed the heavier, darker side of Nirvana I was slightly disappointed to see the likes of 'Aneurysm', 'Milk It' and certainly 'Scentless Apprentice' left out. However, what is left on the album is exemplifies Nirvana's genius.

The album begins with the much-discussed 'You Know You're Right'. Discounting the nostalgia of hearing a new Nirvana track, it remains a great song. Full of the angst and raw energy that Cobain was having trouble holding onto towards the end of his tragically short life.

'About A Girl' is next up and this new remastered version sounds incredible. It was a very good track before, now it is truly remarkable. It remains the standout track from Nirvana's debut release. The alternate version of 'Been A Son' barely sounds the same as the original vinyl version or as the track from the BBC sessions that found its way onto 'Incesticide'. Novoselic's bass solo in the middle of the track is worth £10 of anyone's money. 'Sliver' completes the first portion of the album, the story of Cobain's unhappy visit to his Grandparent's was never my favourite Nirvana song, and for me is the weak link on this LP. I would have liked to have heard 'Love Buzz' or 'Spank Thru' complete the triolgy from Nirvana's early years. Nevertheless, the track highlights Nirvana's raw energy and punkier side when surrounded by some of their poppier work.

It's unlikely that anyone will need any introduction to the following four tracks. The selection from 'Nevermind' would always cause controversy, and everyone will bemoan the lack of one or two tracks (I would have liked 'Drain You' to make an appearance), but no one can deny that 'Smells Like Teen Spirit', 'Come As You Are', 'Lithium' and 'In Bloom' summarise the LP as well as any of the notable exceptions ('Polly', 'Breed', 'Something In The Way').

As 'In Utero' is my favourite Nirvana album I was again disappointed not to see my very favourite Nirvana track 'Scentless Apprentice' make the cut, but what replaces it is hardly lackluster. 'Heart-Shaped Box' was a bolt from the blue upon its original release and the lyrics remain as harrowing to this day. The Scott Litt mix of 'Pennyroyal Tea' is just beautiful. 'Rape Me' and 'Dumb' fittingly conclude the 'In Utero' contributions as they are two of the finest songs Cobain would write.

The three final tracks ('All Apologies', 'The Man Who Sold The World' and 'Where Did You Sleep Last Night') are taken from the 'MTV Unplugged' LP. As Cobain screams the finale of Huddie Ledbetter's 'Where Did You Sleep Last Night' any music fan's hairs on the back of their neck should be well and truly on end.

Like many Nirvana fans, I didn't whole-heartedly agree with the track-listing but every track on this album is utterly, utterly brilliant. No self respecting music fan should be without this collection.

Nirvana- how to reach it (with this CD!!!)
This is the album that we've all been waiting for. It covers some of Nirvana's greatest songs, all of which are a lesson in perfection. From the haunting melodies of 'All Apologies' played at the Unplugged gig to the anthems that are 'Smells Like Tenn Spirit' and 'Come As You Are'. The loud/soft dynamic utilised in many of Nirvana's songs still holds well- meaning that the tracks are still as playable as they were on the day they were origionaly released.

Not only are Kurt's vocals and riffs memorable, but Krist's, Dave's and Chad's contributions are musical poetry.

Each track charts a time in Nirvana's history, each one offering something different to the audience, but still leaving you begging for more. Each track is a timeless classic- and the two covers from the Unplugged gig ('The Man Who Sold The World' and 'Where Did You Sleep Last Night') are incredible - there is so much emothion obviously poured into them, as with all of the music Nirvana made. You know when you listen to this album that making music was Kurt's life - and that is something he has left us to remember him by.

As for the new track- "You Know You're Right" -I think it is one of, if not the, best track that Nirvana have ever released. The lyrics, loud/soft dynamic, punchy drums and pounding bassline all build up in perfect performance to one of the most touching pieces of music I have ever heard. It gives deep insight into the relationship between Kurt and Courtney at the time- but apart from that, its great to listen to.

I highly reccomend this CD- if you're a Nirvana fan then you will want this to be completist. If you've not got any other albums, this is a good a place to start as any. Do yourself a favour today, treat yourself, buy this album.