FDF Volume 1 Issue 1: Nirvana - In Utero

Album - In Utero
Artist - Nirvana
Key players -Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic, Dave Grohl
Produced by Steve Albini



Overview
For the first in a weekly series I will go with In Utero from Nirvana. This record followed up the massive "Nevermind" cd and was released on September 21, 1993 (the vinyl version was released the week before). The album was recorded in about 2 weeks for $24,000. Kurt has been quoted as saying it was the easiest recording process the band had ever done. The end result was the bands second major label release for Geffen and there was some controversy on the record from the get go. Rumors that Geffen was unhappy with the product and Scott Litt was brought in to "pop up" some songs. When the album did come out there was issue with the cover art, and the song Rape Me. The song title was edited for chain store sales. The band felt this was okay as Midwestern America may not have any other choice than K-Mart or Wal-Mart to buy cds. The song lyrics were not changed.

FDF's comments: (shying away from track by track review)
Serve the Servants - The opening line says it all "Teenage angst has paid off, now I'm bored and old". The band coming off massive success with Nevermind had more money and popularity than they'd ever expect.

Heart Shaped Box - this was the lead off single for the record and it was one of the songs that was "redone" by producer Scott Litt. The song, if anyone needed to be reminded, showcases the heaviness the band brought on their previous efforts, but under a lot more polished studio sound.

Rape Me - probably one of the most played songs from this record on radio to this day (at least in Boston). Cobain has said its an "anti rape" song. The drums on this track hold the song together. The guitar solo break down, but heavy handedness during the chorus show the give and take of this song.

Dumb - this is one of the first times I heard the expression "Quiet is the new Loud".

Pennyroyal Tea - the biggest memory I have of this song personally is Hole performing it during Lollapalooza one year.

All Apologies - When done on MTV Unplugged viewers were treated to such a hauntingly beautiful song.

Where are they now? After Kurt committed suicide the band folded. Bassist Krist Novoselic has had a few side projects come and go. Dave went on to form the Foo Fighters and has worked with Beck, Tenacious D and Queens of the Stone Age to name but a few.


FDF's overall take:
There are dozens if not hundreds of fan sites and information on this record and Nirvana. You can get song meanings, you can figure out what the symbols mean on the back of In Utero. All that if you just put the cd on overall its still a very strong record from a band thrust even further into the lime light. Most folks that have nevermind, have this and for good reason.