We would have loved Nirvana’s career to last longer, undoubtedly a band that revolutionized the world of rock by proposing a subgenre (now legendary) called “Grunge”; a movement that lasted a very short time but managed to modernize the scene when it was most needed. The band released only three studio albums: “Bleach” (1989), their energetic and rebellious debut, “Nevermind” (1991), their unexpectedly massive success, and finally “In Utero,” the album we will discuss today, possibly the least favorite among fans.
In 1991, the band, with two years of unprecedented popularity, arrived at a level unimaginable. Not even the record label knew that “Nevermind” would become such a popular album. Despite all the accolades they received for this work, Nirvana was not satisfied with its sound, as it did not reflect the garage influences they intended to project from the beginning. Aware of this, the band called on producer Steve Albini to create a much rawer and, to a certain extent, “dirty” recording, without elaborate techniques to beautify the sound.
“In Utero” did not achieve what “Nevermind” left in history; however, there remains a sense of nostalgia as it is Nirvana’s last studio album before the unfortunate passing of Kurt Cobain. Additionally, musically, it is very good.
What can we hear?
An intriguing combination of their two previous albums, “In Utero” is as aggressive as “Bleach” and as commercially appealing as “Nevermind.” It carries a very distinct darkness in songs like “Dumb,” reflecting through its melodies, arrangements, and performance the situation the band was in, interpreted as “weariness, sadness, and even despair.” Among the events Nirvana experienced in 1991 were the recent birth of Kurt Cobain’s daughter Frances, all members living in different cities, the band coming off the exhaustion of their previous tour, not to mention the level of addictions Kurt Cobain was grappling with an emotional environment vividly mirrored in “In Utero.”
We hear some of the heaviest songs in the band’s history, such as “Scentless Apprentice,” “Milk It,” “Very Ape,” “Tourette’s,” and “Radio Friendly Unit Shifter” tracks, especially the latter, undoubtedly influenced by genres like Noise Rock, meeting the expectations of the gritty sound the band missed. Simultaneously, there’s a balance with commercially inclined songs like “Serve The Servants,” “Rape Me,” or “Pennyroyal Tea,” and songs that exude a sense of depression like “Heart Shaped Box.” “In Utero” is profoundly emotional, the result of a culmination of events for three young men in their late 20s, expressed through music.
Kurt Cobain’s voice was at its peak, both haunting and guttural in tracks like “Tourette’s,” where he likely strained his vocal cords during recording, and as serene as “Serve The Servants.” This duality occasionally combines, resulting in a vocal timbre like that of “All Apologies.”
In Utero: The end of Nirvana's chemistry
In Utero represents, in part, the chemistry Nirvana had as a band, three individuals with more enthusiasm than technique: Kurt Cobain with his gritty guitars proposing a new style of tone and figure, Dave Grohl with forcefully played drums, without much complexity, and never losing that garage style that characterized the band, with beats that, far from being planned, were executed according to the dynamic requirements of the songs. Lastly, Krist Novoselic with a pick-played bass that sometimes reminds us of a modernized Black Sabbath. A style these three solidified since “Nevermind” but played entirely to their liking in “In Utero.”
Noteworthy is the song “Tourette’s,” from our perspective, the track that best represents the band’s desire to sound “Dirty.” This is when we say that even to sound like this, one must have discipline and a very strong musical foundation. This song, in turn, demonstrates the thirst to return to the era of “Bleach,” an album where Nirvana never imagined the levels of popularity they would achieve three innocent individuals who, years later, would go from their garages in Washington to perform on the biggest stages. Perhaps if the band had remained at this level, we could still enjoy Kurt Cobain today, as fame often acts as an imposter that ultimately ends the lives of many artists.
Among the new things the band wanted to add in “In Utero” is the cello arrangement heard in “Dumb” and “All Apologies”, a touch of elegance that worked quite well and hadn’t been heard from them before.
The final album by Nirvana
“In Utero” remains in history for its rawness, its rough sound, and its choked cry of nostalgia, wondering… What would have happened if Kurt Cobain had not died? Would grunge still be alive? Would we have had another gem of an album? As we mentioned from the beginning, beyond the quality we hear on this record, there is a lingering sense of sadness for the listener but also an unwavering respect for this band that, in some way, raised the flag before the masses in the name of Rock.
Nirvana has entered history alongside bands like Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, or even The Beatles.
And what do you think of this album? Leave us your comments! We always want to hear your perspective.
