Nirvana [Import]

Eschewing the standard hits-sprinkled-with-rarities mix, this lovingly compiled three-CD, one-DVD collection is made up almost entirely of previously unreleased selections. The handful of previously heard tracks are obscurities along the lines of the group's cover of "Here She Comes Now," recorded for a 1990 indie-rock tribute to the Velvet Underground. But it's not the B-sides and compilation oddities that define this idiosyncratic set; rather, its spirit is captured in the bedroom demos, radio performances, and sloppy amateur video recordings that catch Cobain and cohorts developing from just another punk- and metal-inspired bunch of grunge rockers pounding away in the bass player's mom's living room into a band that defined an era. --Steven Stolder

Album Description

The box set spans Nirvana's entire career, from a recording of Led Zeppelin's "Heartbreaker" at the band's first show in 1987 to solo acoustic performances from singer-guitarist Kurt Cobain in 1994. With The Lights Out features a 60-page color booklet with rare photos and liner notes by Sonic Youth's Thurston Moore and writer Neil Strauss. The three CDs, arranged largely chronologically contains home and rehearsal demos, including for "Smells Like Teen Spirit" (whose lyric "With the lights out" provides the set's title), "Rape Me," "Heart Shaped Box" and a trio penned by legendary bluesman Leadbelly. Heard in the 12 previously unreleased solo acoustic tracks are such gems as "All Apologies," "Lithium" and "Sliver." Six previously unreleased radio performances range from "Anorexorcist" in 1987 to "Dumb" in 1991 (two years before it was on 1993's In Utero). Along with the remaining debuts are a handful of earlier issued, though rare, b-sides and demos as well as the original Butch Vig mix of "Smells Like Teen Spirit." Highlighted on the With The Lights Out DVD is a previously unreleased video of nine songs performed in 1988 at bassist Krist Novoselic's mother's house in Aberdeen, Washington; the rare "In Bloom" Sub Pop music video, and 10 never-before-seen live performances. Noteworthy among them are debut renditions of "Pennyroyal Tea", "Smells Like Teen Spirit" both from early 1991. Also premiering is an unlikely performance of Jacques Brel and Rod McKuen's "Seasons In The Sun" shot at a Rio de Janeiro studio.

Customer Reviews:

amazing collection from the greatest band ever.......2007-07-25

This collection of Nirvana's greatest music follows the band from their beginning to end. This is a must own for anyone who likes nirvana.

Rare Nirvana.......2007-06-19

This was the Box Set that Nirvana fans had been waiting for. With it's release they were not disappointed. The Box Set is arranged chronologically, with demos, song outtakes, and studio mixes from Nirvana's career. My personal highlights include the Leadbelly cover Ain't It a Shame, the Nevermind Outakes of Old Age and Verse, Chorus Verse, and the last demo ever recorded by Cobain called Do Re Mi. Some of this makes you realize that some of Cobain's strongest work was never released. Old Age had top 40 potential if it would have been completed. Do Re Mi has a beautiful melody and beatleesque tone. My only regret is that some of the demos did not belong on here due to their roughness. This space might have been better filled perhaps with Nirvana's radio performances or concert performances. The DVD also contained rare Nirvana footage. However, I was disappointed it didn't contain more of Nirvana's T.V. performances or scenes from their In Utero tour. Overall this is a great resource for any Nirvana fan who wants to dig deeper into this band.

Incredible for sheer variety.......2007-05-06

I like the demos a lot, I am a songwriter myself and they remind me that even Kurt Cobain figured out his songs on his own. As far as some having a problem with no b sides, most of the B sides you wanted are on this! Including D-7, Even In His Youth, I Hate Myself And I Want To Die, Gallons of Rubbing Alcohol, Marigold, Moist Vagina, Curmudgeon, Verse Chorus Verse, Aneurysm, with the only missing songs being Spank Thru and You Know You're Right (Which I'll admit is no good that the only way you can have that song is by buying the greatest hits collection). In the Butch Vig Teen Spirit Version the guitar sounds much more like the guitars of Garbage (Vig's band) than the raw visceral guitar on the Nevermind recording.

While a B side collection would be an excellent companion piece to the Greatest Hits collection and it would be great if the company would make one, these are now probably my favorite Nirvana discs I own for the sheer rawness of the recordings. Nirvana was a big fan of minimalism, and while I do not like every track, the Sage covers, Sappy, Oh The Guilt, the Here She Comes Now cover, and the White Lace And Strange cover (Proving once and for all that Cobain could actually play guitar), are some of my favorite Nirvana tracks ever.

Stellar Collection Of Rarities In High-Quality Sound . . ........2007-05-04

this says it best. three discs of previously hard-to-find Nirvana b-sides
and rarities all mastered in high-quality sound. most of these tracks were
only available on the Outcesticide releases in the '90s (with poor sound quality and terribly overpriced). at the time, this is the only access we
had to any Nirvana material of this type. most of us could not get enough of this band back in the day, so we would pay whatever we had to get it.
the first three discs are a collection of live, b-side and rare tracks in chronological order (for the most part) and the fourth disc is a DVD of
the band in December 1988 (with former drummer Chad Channing) practicing
at Chris Novoselic's house (bet his mother wasn't happy) with a Sub Pop video of "In Bloom" and other greatness. i have owned this for over two
years now, and at least one of these discs rarely ever leave my CD changer. very enjoyable. if you're even a moderate fan, get this, it is worth it !!!

Nirvana box set.......2007-03-22