"In Utero - Nirvana" Better Than I Remember

 


    Everyone knows about Nirvana, their logo is plastered across T-Shirts of many people for ages now, and their short but ironic run might make even make them that much more legendary. For the record, before re-listening to this album I’ll preface this by saying generally I enjoy Nevermind more than I did In Utero, I know it’s not the cool hipster take because it’s the more accessible album, but that is one of the reasons I did enjoy it when I listened to it all those years ago in my high school years. And while my tastes have grown more acclimated to the harsher sounds found on this album, I’m not sure if my opinion will change much or I’ll simply appreciate this album more than I did all those years ago. I mean I was never the biggest grunge or Nirvana fan, don’t get me wrong I liked the popular songs on this album like Heart-Shaped Box and All Apologies, but otherwise I definitely relisten to the songs on Nevermind much more than I ever do In Utero. So I guess we’ll see what changes, and without further ado, my track-by-track review.

In Utero – Nirvana

Serve the Servants – 73/100 This song is a pretty solid opener, nothing really to complain other than I feel like it doesn’t go that hard or is catchy enough to warrant a higher score from me. Definitely one of those songs where I like the verses more than the chorus.

Scentless Apprentice – 75/100 I think I enjoyed the guitar solo’s the most in this song. It’s not that this song isn’t interesting but there’s just something about it that stops me from rating it super high. I actually really enjoy the story behind this song the whole book it’s describing, Perfume, sounds really cool I want to read it now, but the song itself, not as cool but pretty good.

Heart-Shaped Box – 90/100 The contrast between the choruses and verses are excellent this song is catchy and goes hard at the same time I love the energy Kurt sings with in the chorus. Also, he’s a Pisces like me so bonus points for that.

Rape Me – 82/100 I don’t think I’ll ever be able to play this song in public but good on Nirvana for making a song in support of women. I think this song would be better if it had more lyrics, or at least more variety in the lyrics it’s decently catchy the only thing that kills me is that it uses like 50 different words total.

Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge On Seattle – 88/100 I think the album is starting to go on a hot streak 3 excellent songs in a row is always a good sign for an album. It’s kind of cool to read the inspiration behind all of these songs I think it makes me appreciate Kurt Cobain and his lyrics that much more.

Dumb – 75/100 Kind of a similar story to Rape me but not as catchy. It’s pretty simply lyrics wise and in terms of instrumentation it’s slow but still decent.

Very Ape – 83/100 This song is relatively short but it still goes hard. Like a lot of punk songs I’ve listened to this song doesn’t really try and overstay its welcome so it’s a short enjoyable piece while it lasts.

Milk It – 50/100 I think this is one of the duds on this album. While generally I have liked the soft verse hard chorus formula on this album I just can’t bring myself to enjoy this track it really isn’t giving me anything.

Pennyroyal Tea – 77/100 A solid song overall. I do think the simple but harsh approach Nirvana is using this album is doing them quite well though I do think that the best run in this album is definitely Heart-Shaped Box to Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge On Seattle.

Radio Friendly Unit Shifter – 60/100 Feel like this song is a bit on the long side for me. It’s not that I hate long songs but some songs I feel as if they are too long for how enjoyable they really are and if they were shorter perhaps I’d have a more positive light on them

Tourette’s – 40/100 Look I enjoy screaming too but I can’t take Kurt Cobain very seriously with the way he sings some of these verses on this song. It sounds like a bad southern accent and I don’t know if it’s the point but it’s quite bad.

All Apologies – 92/100 This song really is one of the best off of the album. I have nothing to write about it other than listen to it, it really is an amazing closer. The outro is a great way to close off an album I always liked when they didn’t end abruptly and had something to send it off.

Final Score: 80/100

    As someone who's not a big fan of grunge this is still a strong showing from a band that defined the 90's. It has its ups and downs and I suppose that is it's strengths, the ebb and flow this album has with its contrasting soft verses and loud choruses. While relatively simple in terms of lyrics it really was a joy to read about what inspired Kurt for some of these songs and other than in Tourette's his singing throughout this entire album is on point. While I do think Nevermind is better I can see why someone might enjoy In Utero just as much, and even more.


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