September 2023 marked 30 years since the release of Nirvana’s third and final studio album In Utero. For many this record is the masterpiece of their career, the dirtier record that Kurt Cobain wanted to make following the commercial success of their polished major label debut Nevermind (1991 – DGC Records) and an album that is the relatively unsung hero of their discography in comparison.
It’s fair to say that the success of Nevermind took Nirvana by complete surprise as they went from underground Punk-Rock Grungers with a steady following in their local Seattle scene, to superstars with a number one record seemingly overnight as their video for the single ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ blew up on MTV.
To date Nevermind has sold over 30 million records, but at the time Kurt was uncomfortable with his new found stardom as the front man for one of the biggest rock bands in the world, and he wanted to rebel against the Pop-Melodies that he had littered the breakthrough album with, and return to his roots by creating something far more underground and controversial with their next record.
Nevermind not only solidified Nirvana’s place in Rock history, but it also solidified their classic lineup with former Scream drummer Dave Grohl joining Kurt and bassist Krist Novoselic, before the touring cycle of In Utero would see Pat Smear (The Germs) join as a second guitarist for the first time since Jason Everman had left the band following the release of their debut record Bleach (1989 – Sub Pop).
This addition would take the pressure off of Kurt when performing live, allowing him to concentrate a little more on his vocals and replicate the layered guitar sound he had created in the studio. DCG were pushing for a follow up to capitalise on the success of Nevermind as quickly as possible.
Following the stop-gap release of the rarities and B-Sides compilation Incesticide (1992), Nirvana entered the studio with renowned producer Steve Albini (Pixies / The Jesus Lizard), and In Utero was recorded in just two weeks in Minnesota’s Pachyderm Studio, costing £25,000 in addition to a reported £100,000 fee for Albino.
The initial recordings provided to DCG were of concern to the label due to the abrasive and heavier sound that the band had created, and R.E.M producer Scott Litt was tasked with polishing a number of the songs prior to it’s release in September 1993. And while the sound could still never match the unbridled commercial Pop-edge prevalent on Nevermind, the re-work was somewhat of a compromise between the label and Cobain’s vision, also aided by a final mix from the legendary Bob Ludwig (Led Zeppelin / Queen).
Unsurprisingly with the size of the crest of the wave Nirvana were riding, In Utero was another instant success both commercially and also critically. And looking back after 30 years in which it has sold in excess of 15million copies, the record can be seen as the work of a band at the peak of their creativity and will of course always be remembered as the final studio recording of Cobain prior to his suicide in the following year.
In Utero opens with ‘Serve the Servants’ and a lyric which clearly epitomises Cobain’s head space at the time; “Teenage angst has paid off well, now I’m bored and old!” A slice of accessible sounding Nirvana with a strong memorable chorus, albeit with a slightly out of tune feel to the instrumentation and a loose improvisational solo from Kurt. ‘Scentless Apprentice’ then drops in with an altogether different approach as its abrasive heavy distortion and Kurt’s harsher chaotic vocals clearly showcase the anti-Nevermind sound they were going for.
‘Heart Shaped Box’ the memorable lead single from the record is one of the most beautiful Nirvana songs they ever recorded and could perhaps have sat just as easily on the proceeding record with its Pixies influenced light verse – heavy chorus arrangement. A dark love song inspired by the tempestuous relationship with his wife Hole singer/guitarist Courtney Love and featuring a number of head turning lyrics including; “I wish I could eat your cancer, when you turn black.”
‘Rape Me’ follows suit in terms of its melody and infectious vocal hooks, but it is with the title and lyrics that Cobain is putting two fingers up to the establishment and music industry, knowing that the song could never get picked up as a commercial entity. ‘Francis Farmer Will Have Her Revenge On Seattle’ is catchy and accessible while ‘Dumb’ is stripped back and beautifully haunting with a string arrangement and sound which very much sits as a companion piece to Nevermind’s ‘Polly.’
‘Very Ape’ provides a short sharp blast of bouncy punk with the lyric; “If you ever need anything please don’t, hesitate to ask someone else first,” while Milk It’ is wonderfully experimental and sludgy. ‘Pennyroyal Tea’ provides perhaps the poppiest and most bland moment of the record before they return to a sludgier grungier sound on ‘Radio Friendly Unit Shifter’.
In Utero culminates in 90 seconds of pure chaotic energy on the caustic ‘Tourette’s,’ before playing out on a mellower note with single ‘All Apologies.’ The album is an absolute classic of Alternative Rock and is perhaps one of the last true sounding underground Seattle ‘Grunge’ records, while unquestionably sitting as one of the defining releases of the era.
To commemorate its 30th anniversary there are a number a special versions of In Utero being released at the end of October 2023, with a two disc deluxe edition including a remastered mix of the album as well as a disc of unreleased live recordings taken from concerts in Seattle, Los Angeles, New York, Springfield and Rome. There is also a five disc Super Deluxe version featuring complete concert recordings and memorabilia from the tour cycle, with both editions featuring exclusive new booklets, photos and artwork. KZ
Words by Abstrakt_Soul
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