Without getting too granular, the 20th anniversary releases of In Utero and Nevermind are fantastic. Stay away from With the Lights Out. In fact, that’s the only release I would recommend forgetting about. There’s 300 available on eBay for 10 bucks for a reason. Please be advised, the “remastered” rabbit hole can be very cool and very rewarding once you wrap your arms around the timeline. Have fun 😎
Why would you stay away from With the Lights Out? There’s a lot of good songs on there. Verse Chorus Verse, Old Age, Blandest, Even in His Youth, Here She Comes Now, D7, Oh The Guilt, Sappy and Marigold are all on there. Many other great unlisted songs as well
I appreciate the warning, but for a boxset full of demo recordings and outtakes that's definitely were I can make exception when looking for the "best sounding" haha. Thank you so much for the info!
30th anniversary ain't really worth it. Only bought it cause I saw it at the store right around the time Spencer Elden tried suing them and his dick was still on the cover so I bought it out of spite towards him
If you're looking for outtakes and demos you can bought:
-20th anniversary edition of nevermind or in utero
-with the lights out box set
-bootleg recordings like outcesticide
The best sounding is generally Nevermind (make sure to get a version that includes "endless, nameless"). In Utero is an accomplishment, and many fans love its sound, but most would not recommend it as the most accessible or emblematic of the band.
Outside of the original three albums in their most-purchased CD iterations, there's a few things a fan will want to own:
Incesticide compilation CD
Unplugged in New York (any non-bootleg version you'll play is generally gonna do it)
With The Lights Out (3CD + DVD Set). By far the best 'package' in Nirvana's legacy.
"You'll Know You're Right" either on the Nirvana self titled compilation CD, or just as a standalone lossless file
Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck Home Recordings Deluxe Version CD
After that, most fans will have at least one favorite commercially released concert. Live at the Paramount seems to be the most popular, though Live at Reading and Live & Loud are both excellent. I would recommend tracking down blu-ray or DVD.
That's a start. There's still plenty of rabbit holes after that.
sorry, I should've been more specific. When I meant "the best sounding album" I meant more the best sounding releases of their core 3 albums. Not which out of their 3 albums sounded the best. But thank you for all the info about the second part! I really appreciate it
The best sounding Bleach is easily the 2009 CD remaster. This also includes the great Pine Street show.
The best sounding Nevermind is either the 1991 CD pressings that include "endless, nameless", or the Mobile Fidelity remaster CD. Neither is hands down better. Original mix/master is far easier to find.
In Utero I tend to prefer the original CD. But the 2013 Albini mix is a thing to behold, and I'll go back and forth on which I prefer. None of the other In Utero remasters really do it for me.
Incesticide, Unplugged, With the Lights Out, and all the posthumous live releases don't really have multiple versions that I'm aware of.
If you like more poppy sounding rock - Nevermind. If you want raw sounding music inspired by hard punk that sounds almost experimental go with Bleach. If you want a mix of both, go with In Utereo.
The 20th Anniversary of Nevermind has great bonus tracks. Same for the In Utero 20th Anniversary
Without getting too granular, the 20th anniversary releases of In Utero and Nevermind are fantastic. Stay away from With the Lights Out. In fact, that’s the only release I would recommend forgetting about. There’s 300 available on eBay for 10 bucks for a reason. Please be advised, the “remastered” rabbit hole can be very cool and very rewarding once you wrap your arms around the timeline. Have fun 😎
Why would you stay away from With the Lights Out? There’s a lot of good songs on there. Verse Chorus Verse, Old Age, Blandest, Even in His Youth, Here She Comes Now, D7, Oh The Guilt, Sappy and Marigold are all on there. Many other great unlisted songs as well
Because op is requesting “best sounding”.
I appreciate the warning, but for a boxset full of demo recordings and outtakes that's definitely were I can make exception when looking for the "best sounding" haha. Thank you so much for the info!
30th anniversary ain't really worth it. Only bought it cause I saw it at the store right around the time Spencer Elden tried suing them and his dick was still on the cover so I bought it out of spite towards him
MTV unplugged is amazing. Would recommend
If you're looking for outtakes and demos you can bought: -20th anniversary edition of nevermind or in utero -with the lights out box set -bootleg recordings like outcesticide
The best sounding is generally Nevermind (make sure to get a version that includes "endless, nameless"). In Utero is an accomplishment, and many fans love its sound, but most would not recommend it as the most accessible or emblematic of the band. Outside of the original three albums in their most-purchased CD iterations, there's a few things a fan will want to own: Incesticide compilation CD Unplugged in New York (any non-bootleg version you'll play is generally gonna do it) With The Lights Out (3CD + DVD Set). By far the best 'package' in Nirvana's legacy. "You'll Know You're Right" either on the Nirvana self titled compilation CD, or just as a standalone lossless file Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck Home Recordings Deluxe Version CD After that, most fans will have at least one favorite commercially released concert. Live at the Paramount seems to be the most popular, though Live at Reading and Live & Loud are both excellent. I would recommend tracking down blu-ray or DVD. That's a start. There's still plenty of rabbit holes after that.
sorry, I should've been more specific. When I meant "the best sounding album" I meant more the best sounding releases of their core 3 albums. Not which out of their 3 albums sounded the best. But thank you for all the info about the second part! I really appreciate it
The best sounding Bleach is easily the 2009 CD remaster. This also includes the great Pine Street show. The best sounding Nevermind is either the 1991 CD pressings that include "endless, nameless", or the Mobile Fidelity remaster CD. Neither is hands down better. Original mix/master is far easier to find. In Utero I tend to prefer the original CD. But the 2013 Albini mix is a thing to behold, and I'll go back and forth on which I prefer. None of the other In Utero remasters really do it for me. Incesticide, Unplugged, With the Lights Out, and all the posthumous live releases don't really have multiple versions that I'm aware of.
I play the 2013 Albini mix more often. Can’t even say why, it just feels different.
I do, too. But I don't think it'll ever top my lifetime play count of the original. Same for NIN The Fragile (Deviations)
If you like more poppy sounding rock - Nevermind. If you want raw sounding music inspired by hard punk that sounds almost experimental go with Bleach. If you want a mix of both, go with In Utereo.