In Utero
by Nirvana

The label had this album remixed by two different producers because they thought it sounded bad, and I find most of it still does. There are some great songs in the first half where the raw and aggressive playing actually works for those tracks. If more of the album had been like "Frances Farmer" and "Rape Me", I'd be a big fan. But nearly half of the album is melodically uninteresting and sonically a mess, too noisy and ragged for my taste. And Kurt Cobain's voice is also a mess. A decent effort overall, but quite overrated.

Fun fact: "Rape Me" is said to be one of Donald's favorite songs. Apparently he was considering it for his campaign theme, but someone talked him out of it. I guess it makes sense that a rap ist would find it "beautiful" to take food and health care away from the needy so billionaires can have a little more. These are strange times.

The contrarians will tell you that this is the band's true masterpiece. And sure, it's a very good record. Albini's production was a great fit for the band. But better than Nevermind? I think that's a stretch. In Utero is a shot of good whiskey, but Nevermind is a perfect cocktail.

From hoyquarlow 01/25/2024 22:40 | #301476

I hope Kurt will forgive me on that one, but I think In Utero is clearly Nirvana's least good album. It sounds like a sterilized version of Nevermind (Given that it's exactly the same format as Nevermind, 12 tracks ending on each side with a slower song). To be honest only "Dumb", "Pennyroyal tea" and "Radio friendly unit shifter" are still moving me today... maybe "Serve the servant", but the rest is sadly average by Nirvana standards.

Nirvana's masterpiece.

Although as a whole I prefer Nevermind for its consistency, that my favorite Nirvana songs Dumb and especially All Apologies are here.

A solid Nirvana album that has some of their greatest ever songs on here including one of the best album closers of all time. All Apologies makes this record feel like such a rewarding listen as its beauty at the close of the album is just mesmerising for me. This song has dragged me back to this record countless times alongside its counterparts in terms of quality which is Dumb, Rape Me and Heart-Shaped Box. There are a few deep cuts on here that don't get the praise they deserve as well making this well worth a listen just to discover these songs. Cobain is fantastic on here also with his lyrics being some of the most important of the 90's. Overall, a thoroughly enjoyable Nirvana album that has all the elements that make the group so easy to love.

Kurt hated just how commercially successful Nevermind was and tried to deter the new fans that were making them so adored by releasing In Utero. They failed, this album went harder than before but cemented their place amongst the rock greats with a record that stands as one of the defining parts of what makes Kurt so brilliant.

Shows Nirvana genuinly evolving away from the confiness of Nevermind. If Nirvana had a masterpiece this is it.

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The first time I listened to this record, I was disappointed because it wasn’t as polished and poppy as Nevermind. Years after radio overexposure ruined Nevermind, I see this record as the more authentic Nirvana album. Milk It is among the band’s top two or three songs, in my opinion. Raw, brooding, full of ennui.

Two more notes. Thinking back to how Cobain was referenced as the voice of a generation, and given that Cobain’s lyrical style was choppy and stilted wordplay, what does that say about our generation?

Also, when Kurt says “self appointed judges judge more than they have sold” in Serve The Servants, is it possible that he was foreshadowing the Internet, specifically social media? No wonder he checked out.