rollingstoned
Queens of the Stone Age
Recorded February 13-26th 1993 and released September 13th 1993.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
In Utero is the third and final studio album by the American grunge band Nirvana, released on September 13, 1993, on DGC Records. Nirvana intended the record to diverge significantly from the polished production of its previous album, Nevermind (1991). To capture a more abrasive and natural sound, the group hired producer Steve Albini to record In Utero during a two-week period in February 1993 at Pachyderm Studio. The music was recorded quickly with few studio embellishments, and the song lyrics and album packaging incorporated medical imagery that conveyed frontman Kurt Cobain's outlook on his publicized personal life and his band's newfound fame.
Soon after recording was completed, rumors circulated in the press that DGC might not release the album in its original state, as the record label felt that the result was not commercially viable. Although Nirvana publicly denied the statements, the group was not fully satisfied with the sound Albini had captured. Albini declined to alter the album further, and ultimately the band hired Scott Litt to make minor changes to the album's sound and remix the singles "Heart-Shaped Box" and "All Apologies".
Upon release, In Utero entered the Billboard 200 chart at number one and received critical acclaim as a drastic departure from Nevermind. The record has been certified five times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, and has sold over four million copies in the United States alone.
Track Listing:
All songs written by Kurt Cobain except where noted.
"Serve the Servants" – 3:36
"Scentless Apprentice" (Cobain, Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic) – 3:48
"Heart-Shaped Box" – 4:41
"Rape Me" – 2:50
"Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge on Seattle" – 4:09
"Dumb" – 2:32
"Very Ape" – 1:56
"Milk It" – 3:55
"Pennyroyal Tea" – 3:37
"Radio Friendly Unit Shifter" – 4:51
"Tourette's" – 1:35
"All Apologies" – 3:51
Bonus track
"Gallons of Rubbing Alcohol Flow Through the Strip" (Cobain, Grohl, Novoselic) – 7:28
Gallons of Rubbing Alcohol Flow Through the Strip was included on non-US pressings of the album. The back cover on these releases notes this track as "Devalued American Dollar Purchase Incentive Track".
General Review:
This album is filled with a lot more energy and attitude then Nevermind. Like Kurt said this was the true sound he wanted. But beware this album isn't very "radio friendly" though. Some people may not like it.This album is filled with great song after great song, there aren't any songs you will want to skip over trust me. Be sure to check out the secret song released only on non-US records, it's a jam song they did down in Brazil while touring.
Personal Favorites off the Album:
-Serve The Servants
-Tourettes
-Rape Me
-Heart Shaped Box
-All Apologies
Serve The Servants has an extremely catchy riff and very interesting lyrics. Kurt puts the lines "I tried hard to have a father, but instead I had a dad." When Kurt performed the song live he would sometimes change the lyrics to "I tried hard to have a father, but instead I had a sister."
Tourettes is basically a really upbeat catchy metal song if that makes sense. Lyrics change almost everytime they performed the song live. They first played it at the famous Reading Festival in 1992. It was called "The Eagle Has Landed", but changed to Tourettes shortly after. Great tune, and extremely fun to play on guitar yourself.
Rape Me is one of my all-time favorite Nirvana recordings. Such a smooth riff from A, C, Emajor, G but yet so catchy and smooth. If you haven't heard this song yet I insist please listen to it as soon as possible, you won't be dissapointed.
Heart Shaped Box is the most famous song off the album In Utero, and it deserves to be. It's a really good song with really catchy guitar playing and overall smooth track. I love Cobain's vocals off the recording, very powerful. I suggest you check this song out as well.
All Apologies is one of my all-time favorite Nirvana recordings, up there with Rape Me. This version I will admit is not as good as the MTV Unplugged Version, but still very good none the less. I would suggest listening to that version first, but the In Utero version is still pretty good.
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well written, good structure, well argumented... I like reading your reviews.. (maybe because I tend to agree with them..)
