In Utero: Difference between revisions
LesStudios (talk | contribs) mNo edit summary |
That wasn't a typo. The band always writes that song name in lower case Tag: Reverted |
||
Line 56: | Line 56: | ||
In February 1993, Nirvana traveled to [[Pachyderm Studio]] in [[Cannon Falls, Minnesota]].<ref name="Gaar40">Gaar, 2006. p. 40</ref> Albini did not meet them until the first day of recording, though he had spoken to them beforehand about the type of album they wanted to make; he observed that "they wanted to make precisely the sort of record that I'm comfortable doing".<ref>Gaar, 2006. p. 36–37</ref> The group stayed in a house on the studio grounds. Novoselic compared the isolated conditions to a [[gulag]]; he said, "There was snow outside, we couldn't go anywhere. We just worked."<ref name="Gaar40" /> For most of the sessions, only the band, Albini, and the technician [[Bob Weston]] were present.<ref name="Azerrad315" /><ref>Azerrad credits Weston as "assistant engineer", but the album liner notes list him as "technician".</ref> Nirvana made it clear to DGC and their management company Gold Mountain that they wanted no intrusion, and did not play their work in progress for their [[A&R]] representative.<ref name="Azerrad315">Azerrad, 1994. p. 315</ref> Albini instituted a policy of ignoring everyone except for the band members; he said that everyone associated with Nirvana were "the biggest pieces of shit I ever met".<ref>DeRogatis, 2003. p. 16–17</ref> |
In February 1993, Nirvana traveled to [[Pachyderm Studio]] in [[Cannon Falls, Minnesota]].<ref name="Gaar40">Gaar, 2006. p. 40</ref> Albini did not meet them until the first day of recording, though he had spoken to them beforehand about the type of album they wanted to make; he observed that "they wanted to make precisely the sort of record that I'm comfortable doing".<ref>Gaar, 2006. p. 36–37</ref> The group stayed in a house on the studio grounds. Novoselic compared the isolated conditions to a [[gulag]]; he said, "There was snow outside, we couldn't go anywhere. We just worked."<ref name="Gaar40" /> For most of the sessions, only the band, Albini, and the technician [[Bob Weston]] were present.<ref name="Azerrad315" /><ref>Azerrad credits Weston as "assistant engineer", but the album liner notes list him as "technician".</ref> Nirvana made it clear to DGC and their management company Gold Mountain that they wanted no intrusion, and did not play their work in progress for their [[A&R]] representative.<ref name="Azerrad315">Azerrad, 1994. p. 315</ref> Albini instituted a policy of ignoring everyone except for the band members; he said that everyone associated with Nirvana were "the biggest pieces of shit I ever met".<ref>DeRogatis, 2003. p. 16–17</ref> |
||
Nirvana arrived at Pachyderm Studio without their equipment and spent much of the first three days waiting for it to arrive by mail. Once recording began, on February 13, work moved quickly.<ref name="Gaar40" /><ref name="Azerrad315" /> On most days, the group began work around midday, took breaks for lunch and dinner, and worked until midnight.<ref name="Cameron" /> For most songs, Cobain, Novoselic, and Grohl recorded their basic instrumental tracks together as a band.<ref name="Azerrad315" /> For faster songs, such as "Very Ape" and " |
Nirvana arrived at Pachyderm Studio without their equipment and spent much of the first three days waiting for it to arrive by mail. Once recording began, on February 13, work moved quickly.<ref name="Gaar40" /><ref name="Azerrad315" /> On most days, the group began work around midday, took breaks for lunch and dinner, and worked until midnight.<ref name="Cameron" /> For most songs, Cobain, Novoselic, and Grohl recorded their basic instrumental tracks together as a band.<ref name="Azerrad315" /> For faster songs, such as "Very Ape" and "tourette's", the drums were recorded separately in a kitchen for its natural [[Reverb effect|reverb]]. Albini surrounded Grohl's drum kit with about 30 microphones.<ref name="Cameron" /> Cobain added additional guitar tracks to about half of the songs, then guitar solos, and finally vocals. The band did not discard takes and kept virtually everything they recorded.<ref name="Azerrad315" /> |
||
Albini saw himself more as an engineer than a producer; despite his personal opinions, he let the band choose takes.<ref>Azerrad, 1994. p. 316</ref> He said, "Generally speaking, [Cobain] knows what he thinks is acceptable and what isn't acceptable [...] He can make concrete steps to improve things that he doesn't think are acceptable."<ref name="Azerrad317">Azerrad, 1994. p. 317</ref> Cobain reportedly recorded all his vocal tracks in six hours.<ref name="Gaar61">Gaar, 2006. p. 61</ref> Albini said that Cobain, who had struggled with drug addiction, was focused and sober in the studio.<ref name="Cameron" /> |
Albini saw himself more as an engineer than a producer; despite his personal opinions, he let the band choose takes.<ref>Azerrad, 1994. p. 316</ref> He said, "Generally speaking, [Cobain] knows what he thinks is acceptable and what isn't acceptable [...] He can make concrete steps to improve things that he doesn't think are acceptable."<ref name="Azerrad317">Azerrad, 1994. p. 317</ref> Cobain reportedly recorded all his vocal tracks in six hours.<ref name="Gaar61">Gaar, 2006. p. 61</ref> Albini said that Cobain, who had struggled with drug addiction, was focused and sober in the studio.<ref name="Cameron" /> |
||
Line 187: | Line 187: | ||
| title10 = Radio Friendly Unit Shifter |
| title10 = Radio Friendly Unit Shifter |
||
| length10 = 4:51 |
| length10 = 4:51 |
||
| title11 = |
| title11 = tourette's |
||
| length11 = 1:35 |
| length11 = 1:35 |
||
| title12 = [[All Apologies]] |
| title12 = [[All Apologies]] |
Revision as of 22:50, 16 April 2024
In Utero | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ||||
Studio album by | ||||
Released | September 21, 1993 | |||
Recorded | February 13–21, 1993[1]
| |||
Studio | Pachyderm, Cannon Falls, Minnesota | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 41:23 | |||
Label | DGC | |||
Producer | Steve Albini | |||
Nirvana chronology | ||||
| ||||
Singles from In Utero | ||||
|
In Utero is the third and final studio album by the American rock band Nirvana, released on September 21, 1993, by DGC Records. After breaking into the mainstream with their second album, Nevermind (1991), Nirvana hired Steve Albini to record In Utero, seeking a more complex, abrasive sound that was reminiscent of their work prior to Nevermind. Although the singer and primary songwriter Kurt Cobain claimed that the album was "very impersonal", many of its songs contain heavy allusions to his personal life and struggles, expressing feelings of angst that were common on the band's previous album.
The album was recorded over two weeks in February 1993 at Pachyderm Studio in Cannon Falls, Minnesota. After recording finished, rumors circulated that DGC might not release the album due to Albini's abrasive and uncommercial sound. The album was mastered by Bob Ludwig to achieve a more desirable sound for both Nirvana and their label. The band later hired the producer Scott Litt to remix the singles "All Apologies", "Heart-Shaped Box" and "Pennyroyal Tea", to Albini's dismay.
In Utero was a major commercial and critical success. Critics praised the album's raw, unconventional sound and Cobain's lyricism. It reached number one on the US Billboard 200 and UK Albums Chart; "Heart-Shaped Box" and "All Apologies" reached number one on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart. The album is certified five times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in the US and has sold 15 million copies worldwide. It was the final Nirvana album before Cobain's suicide in 1994, six months after the album's release.
"Pennyroyal Tea", planned as a single prior to Cobain's death, was released in 2014 and reached number one on the now-defunct Billboard Hot 100 Singles Sales chart.
Background
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4a/Shellac_ATP_2007-guitariste.jpg/170px-Shellac_ATP_2007-guitariste.jpg)
Nirvana broke into the mainstream with their second album, Nevermind, in 1991. Despite modest sales estimates,[7] Nevermind was a major commercial success, popularizing the grunge movement and alternative rock.[8] Nirvana expressed dissatisfaction with the sound of the album, citing its production as too polished.[9] Early in 1992, the singer, Kurt Cobain, told Rolling Stone that Nirvana's next album would showcase "both of the extremes" of their sound, saying: "It'll be more raw with some songs and more candy pop on some of the others. It won't be as one-dimensional."[10] The producer of Nevermind, Butch Vig, said later that Cobain had needed to work with a different producer to "reclaim his punk ethics or cred".[11]
Cobain wanted to start work in mid-1992, but his bandmates lived in different cities, and Cobain and his wife, Courtney Love, were expecting the birth of their daughter, Frances Bean.[12] Nirvana's record label, DGC Records, had hoped to release a new Nirvana album for the 1992 holiday season; instead, they released the compilation album Incesticide.[13]
In a Melody Maker interview published in July 1992, Cobain said he was interested in recording with Jack Endino, who had produced Nirvana's 1989 debut album Bleach, and Steve Albini, former frontman of the noise rock band Big Black, who had produced various independent releases.[14] In Seattle in October 1992, Nirvana recorded several demos with Endino, mainly as instrumentals, including songs later rerecorded for In Utero.[15] Endino recalled that the band did not ask him to produce its next record, and that they constantly debated working with Albini.[16] Nirvana recorded another set of demos while on tour in Brazil in January 1993.[17] "Gallons of Rubbing Alcohol Flow Through the Strip" was recorded by Craig Montgomery at BMG Ariola Ltda in Rio de Janeiro, during the three-day demo session. The song was originally titled "I'll Take You Down to the Pavement", a reference to an argument between Cobain and the Guns N' Roses singer Axl Rose at the 1992 MTV Video Music Awards.[18]
Nirvana ultimately chose Albini to record its third album.[19] Albini had a reputation in the American independent music scene as being critical of the mainstream music industry and had a strict preference for analog recording rather than digital.[20] He sent a disclaimer to the British music press denying rumors of his involvement with Nirvana, only to receive a call from Nirvana's management a few days later.[21] Albini dismissed Nirvana as "R.E.M. with a fuzzbox" and "an unremarkable version of the Seattle sound". However, he accepted the job because he felt sorry for them, perceiving them as "the same sort of people as all the small-fry bands I deal with", at the mercy of their record company.[22]
Cobain said he chose Albini because he had produced two of his favorite records, Surfer Rosa (1988) by the Pixies and Pod (1990) by the Breeders. Cobain wanted to use Albini's technique of capturing the natural ambience of a room via the placement of several microphones, something previous Nirvana producers had been averse to trying.[20] Before the recording, the band sent Albini a tape of the demos they had made in Brazil. In return, Albini sent Cobain a copy of the PJ Harvey album Rid of Me (1993) to give him an idea of the acoustics at the studio where they would record.[23]
Recording
Nirvana and Albini set a two-week deadline for recording. At the suggestion of Albini, who was wary of interference from DGC, Nirvana paid for the sessions with their own money. Studio fees totaled US$24,000, while Albini took a flat fee of $100,000. Though he stood to earn about $500,000 from royalties, Albini refused to accept them,[24] as he considered taking royalties immoral and "an insult to the artist".[22]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/ca/2009-0528-PachydermStudio-drive.jpg/220px-2009-0528-PachydermStudio-drive.jpg)
In February 1993, Nirvana traveled to Pachyderm Studio in Cannon Falls, Minnesota.[25] Albini did not meet them until the first day of recording, though he had spoken to them beforehand about the type of album they wanted to make; he observed that "they wanted to make precisely the sort of record that I'm comfortable doing".[26] The group stayed in a house on the studio grounds. Novoselic compared the isolated conditions to a gulag; he said, "There was snow outside, we couldn't go anywhere. We just worked."[25] For most of the sessions, only the band, Albini, and the technician Bob Weston were present.[27][28] Nirvana made it clear to DGC and their management company Gold Mountain that they wanted no intrusion, and did not play their work in progress for their A&R representative.[27] Albini instituted a policy of ignoring everyone except for the band members; he said that everyone associated with Nirvana were "the biggest pieces of shit I ever met".[29]
Nirvana arrived at Pachyderm Studio without their equipment and spent much of the first three days waiting for it to arrive by mail. Once recording began, on February 13, work moved quickly.[25][27] On most days, the group began work around midday, took breaks for lunch and dinner, and worked until midnight.[24] For most songs, Cobain, Novoselic, and Grohl recorded their basic instrumental tracks together as a band.[27] For faster songs, such as "Very Ape" and "tourette's", the drums were recorded separately in a kitchen for its natural reverb. Albini surrounded Grohl's drum kit with about 30 microphones.[24] Cobain added additional guitar tracks to about half of the songs, then guitar solos, and finally vocals. The band did not discard takes and kept virtually everything they recorded.[27]
Albini saw himself more as an engineer than a producer; despite his personal opinions, he let the band choose takes.[30] He said, "Generally speaking, [Cobain] knows what he thinks is acceptable and what isn't acceptable [...] He can make concrete steps to improve things that he doesn't think are acceptable."[31] Cobain reportedly recorded all his vocal tracks in six hours.[32] Albini said that Cobain, who had struggled with drug addiction, was focused and sober in the studio.[24]
Recording was completed in six days; Cobain had anticipated disagreements with Albini, whom he had heard "was supposedly this sexist jerk", but called the process "the easiest recording we've ever done, hands down".[27] The only disruption occurred a week into the sessions, when Love arrived because she missed Cobain. Weston's girlfriend, the studio's chef, said that Love created tension by criticizing Cobain's work and was confrontational with everyone present.[24]
The initial mix of In Utero took five days.[32] This was quick by Nirvana's standards, but not for Albini, who was used to mixing albums in a day or two. When work on a mix was not producing desired results, the band and Albini took the rest of the day off to watch nature videos, set things on fire and make prank calls.[33] The sessions were completed on February 26.[34] "I Hate Myself and Want to Die" was omitted from the album as Cobain felt it already contained too many "noise" songs.[35]
Production and mixing dispute
After the recording sessions ended, Nirvana sent unmastered tapes of the album to several individuals, including Gold Mountain and Ed Rosenblatt, the president of DGC's parent company, Geffen Records. When asked about the feedback he received, Cobain told Michael Azerrad, "The grown-ups don't like it." He said he was told his songwriting was "not up to par", the sound was "unlistenable", and that there was uncertainty that mainstream radio would accept Albini's production.[36] Few at Geffen or Gold Mountain had wanted Nirvana to record with Albini, and Cobain felt he was receiving an unstated message to scrap the sessions and start again.[37]
Cobain was upset and said to Azerrad, "I should just re-record this record and do the same thing we did last year because we sold out last year—there's no reason to try and redeem ourselves as artists at this point. I can't help myself—I'm just putting out a record I would like to listen to at home." However, a number of Nirvana's friends liked the album, and by April, Nirvana was intent on releasing In Utero as it was. According to Cobain, "Of course, they want another Nevermind, but I'd rather die than do that. This is exactly the kind of record I would buy as a fan, that I would enjoy owning."[37]
The band began to have doubts about the record. Cobain said, "The first time I played it at home, I knew there was something wrong. The whole first week I wasn't really interested in listening to it at all, and that usually doesn't happen. I got no emotion from it, I was just numb."[38] The group concluded that the bass and lyrics were inaudible and asked Albini to remix the album. He declined; as he recalled, "[Cobain] wanted to make a record that he could slam down on the table and say, 'Listen, I know this is good, and I know your concerns about it are meaningless, so go with it.' And I don't think he felt he had that yet ... My problem was that I feared a slippery slope."[39] The band attempted to address their concerns during the mastering process with Bob Ludwig at his studio in Portland, Maine. Novoselic was pleased with the results, but Cobain still did not feel it was perfect.[40]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/40/BobLudwigGateway.jpg/220px-BobLudwigGateway.jpg)
Soon afterward, in April 1993, Albini told the Chicago Tribune that he doubted Geffen would release the album.[41] Years later, Albini said: "I wasn't there when the band was having their discussions with the record label. All I know is ... we made a record, everybody was happy with it. A few weeks later I hear that it's unreleasable and it's all got to be redone."[42] While Albini's remarks in the article drew no reply from Nirvana or Geffen, Newsweek ran a similar article soon afterwards that did.[43] Nirvana wrote a letter to Newsweek denying any pressure to change the album and saying the author had "ridiculed our relationship with our label based on totally erroneous information". The band reprinted the letter in a full-page ad in Billboard. Rosenblatt insisted in a press release that Geffen would release anything Nirvana submitted, and the label founder, David Geffen, made the unusual move of calling Newsweek to complain.[44]
Nirvana considered working with the producer Scott Litt and remixing some tracks with Andy Wallace, who had mixed Nevermind. Albini vehemently disagreed, and said the band had agreed not to modify the tracks without his involvement. He initially refused to give the master tapes to Gold Mountain, but relented after a phone call from Novoselic. The band eventually had Litt remix songs intended as singles; "Heart Shaped Box" and "All Apologies" were remixed at Seattle's Bad Animals Studio in May 1993.[45]
The rest of the album was left unaltered aside from a remastering.[46] Albini was critical of the final mix; he said, "The record in the stores doesn't sound all that much like the record that was made, though it's still them singing and playing their songs, and the musical quality of it still comes across."[13] According to Albini, In Utero made him unpopular with major record labels, and he faced problems finding work in the year following its release.[47]
Music and lyrics
Albini sought to produce a record that sounded nothing like Nevermind.[22] He felt the sound of Nevermind was "sort of a standard hack recording that has been turned into a very, very controlled, compressed radio-friendly mix [...] That is not, in my opinion, very flattering to a rock band." Instead, he intended to capture a more natural and visceral sound.[31] Albini refused to double-track Cobain's vocals and instead recorded him singing in a resonant room.[31] He noted the intensity of Cobain's vocals on some tracks; he said, "There's a really dry, really loud voice at the end of 'Milk It' ... that was also done at the end of 'Rape Me', where [Cobain] wanted the sound of him screaming to just overtake the whole band."[48] Albini achieved the sparse drum sound by placing several microphones around Grohl, picking up the natural reverberation of the room. Albini said, "If you take a good drummer and put him in front of a drum kit that sounds good acoustically and just record it, you've done your job."[31]
Azerrad asserted in his 1993 biography Come as You Are: The Story of Nirvana that In Utero showcased divergent sensibilities of abrasiveness and accessibility that reflected the upheavals Cobain experienced prior to the album's completion. He wrote, "The Beatlesque 'Dumb' happily coexists beside the all-out frenzied punk graffiti of 'Milk It,' while 'All Apologies' is worlds away from the apoplectic 'Scentless Apprentice.' It's as if [Cobain] has given up trying to meld his punk and pop instincts into one harmonious whole. Forget it. This is war." Cobain believed, however, that In Utero was not "any harsher or any more emotional" than any of Nirvana's previous records.[49] Novoselic agreed that the album leaned more towards the band's "arty, aggressive side"; he said, "There's always been [Nirvana] songs like 'About a Girl' and there's always been songs like 'Paper Cuts'... Nevermind came out kind of 'About a Girl'-y and this [album] came out more 'Paper Cuts'".[50] Cobain cited "Milk It" as an example of the more experimental and aggressive direction in which the band's music had been moving in the months prior to the sessions at Pachyderm Studio.[51] Novoselic viewed the album's singles "Heart-Shaped Box" and "All Apologies" as "gateways" to the more abrasive sound of the rest of the album, telling the journalist Jim DeRogatis that once listeners played the record, they would discover "this aggressive wild sound, a true alternative record".[52]
Several songs on In Utero were written years prior to recording; some dated to 1990.[53] Cobain favored long song titles, such as "Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge on Seattle", in reaction to contemporary alternative rock bands that used single-word titles.[54] He continued to work on the lyrics while recording.[55] He told Darcey Steinke in Spin in 1993 that, in contrast to Bleach and Nevermind, the lyrics were "more focused, they're almost built on themes".[56] Azerrad asserted that the lyrics were less impressionistic and more straightforward than in previous Nirvana songs. Azerrad also noted that "virtually every song contains some image of sickness and disease".[49] In a number of songs, Cobain made reference to books; "Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge on Seattle" was inspired by Shadowland, a 1978 biography of actress Frances Farmer, with whom Cobain had been fascinated ever since he read the book in high school.[57] "Scentless Apprentice" was written about Perfume: The Story of a Murderer, a historical horror novel about a perfumer's apprentice who attempts to create the ultimate perfume by killing virgin women and taking their scent.[58]
According to the psychologist Thomas Joiner, it is clear that suicide was on Cobain's mind as he worked on the album, with its lyrics illustrating "the merging of death with themes of nurturance and life, sometimes in stark and disturbing ways." Examples include the song "Milk It", with the phrase "I am my own parasite", which according to Joiner is a "succinct and even sublime way to combine urges toward death and life." The words "Her milk is my shit, My shit is her milk" demonstrate that "Cobain clearly had a penchant for disturbing imagery in which themes of nurturance are merged with themes of disease and waste." Another example is Cobain's referral to an "umbilical noose" in the song "Heart Shaped Box".[59]
Cobain described In Utero as "very impersonal".[60] He also told Q that the infant and childbirth imagery on the album and his newfound fatherhood were coincidental.[61] However, Azerrad argued that much of the album contains personal themes, noting that Grohl held a similar view. Grohl said, "A lot of what he has to say is related to a lot of the shit he's gone through. And it's not so much teen angst any more. It's a whole different ball game: rock star angst."[62] Cobain downplayed recent events and told Azerrad that he did not want to write a track that explicitly expressed his anger at the media; Azerrad countered that "Rape Me" seemed to deal with that very issue. While Cobain said the song was written long before his addiction problems became public, he agreed that the song could be viewed in that light.[63] "Serve the Servants" comments on Cobain's life. The opening lines "Teenage angst has paid off well / Now I'm bored and old" were a reference to Cobain's state of mind in the wake of Nirvana's success.[64] Cobain dismissed the media attention given to the effect his parents' divorce had on his life with the line "That legendary divorce is such a bore" from the chorus, and directly addressed his father with the lines "I tried hard to have a father / But instead I had a dad / I just want you to know that I don't hate you any more / There is nothing I could say that I haven't thought before". Cobain said he wanted his father to know he did not hate him, but had no desire to talk to him.[65]
According to the journalist Gillian G. Gaar, "Gallons of Rubbing Alcohol Flow Through the Strip" was the kind of improvisational jam Nirvana frequently performed in the studio, but had rarely recorded during earlier sessions, when the priority had been to record as quickly as possible.[18] She wrote that it featured "Cobain alternating between seemingly disconnected singing and spoken-words sections, with Novoselic and Grohl providing a steady background accompaniment, punctuated by bursts of noisy guitar."[18] Journalist Everett True described the song's mood as "playful", with "the instruments engaging in a game of cat and mouse, almost daring each other to explode in fury".[66] Novoselic said it was an example of the band "just fucking around".[18]
Title and packaging
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/26/Transparent_Anatomical_Manikin_%28TAM%29.jpg/220px-Transparent_Anatomical_Manikin_%28TAM%29.jpg)
Cobain originally wanted to name the album I Hate Myself and I Want to Die, a phrase that had originated in his journals in mid-1992.[67] At the time, he used the phrase as a response whenever someone asked him how he was doing. Cobain intended the album title as a joke; he stated he was "tired of taking this band so seriously and everyone else taking it so seriously".[68] Novoselic convinced Cobain to change the title due to fear that it could potentially result in a lawsuit. The band then considered using Verse Chorus Verse—a title taken from its song "Verse Chorus Verse", and a (at the time current) working title of "Sappy"—before eventually settling on In Utero. The final title was taken from a poem written by Courtney Love.[69]
The art director for In Utero was Robert Fisher, who had designed all of Nirvana's releases on DGC. Most of the ideas for the artwork for the album and related singles came from Cobain. Fisher recalled that "[Cobain] would just give me some loose odds and ends and say 'Do something with it.'"[70] The cover of the album is an image of a Transparent Anatomical Manikin, with angel wings superimposed. Cobain created the collage on the back cover, which he described as "Sex and woman and In Utero and vaginas and birth and death", that consists of model fetuses, a turtle shell and models of turtles, and body parts lying in a bed of orchids and lilies. The collage had been set up on the floor of Cobain's living room and was photographed by Charles Peterson after an unexpected call from Cobain.[71] The album's track listing and re-illustrated symbols from Barbara G. Walker's The Woman's Dictionary of Symbols and Sacred Objects were then positioned around the edge of the collage.[72]
Mannequins of the angel-winged anatomical figure were used as stage props on Nirvana's concert tour supporting In Utero. One such mannequin later featured at the Experience Music Project museum's exhibition "Nirvana: Taking Punk to the Masses", which ran from April 2011 through 2013 and showcased memorabilia celebrating the band's music and history.[73]
Marketing and sales
To avoid over-hyping the album, DGC Records took a low-key approach to promoting In Utero; their head of marketing told Billboard before the album's release that they were planning a campaign similar to that of Nevermind, and the label would "set things up, duck, and get out of the way". The label aimed its promotion at alternative markets and press, and released the album on vinyl as part of this strategy.[74] In contrast to Nevermind, DGC did not release any of In Utero's singles commercially in the United States.[13] DGC sent promo copies of the album's first single, "Heart-Shaped Box", to American college, modern rock, and album-oriented rock radio stations in early September, but did not target Top 40 radio.[74] The band was convinced that In Utero would not be as successful as Nevermind. Cobain told Jim DeRogatis, "We're certain that we won't sell a quarter as much, and we're totally comfortable with that because we like this record so much."[75]
In Utero was released on September 13, 1993, on CD, vinyl record and cassette tape in the United Kingdom, and on September 14 on vinyl in the United States, with the American vinyl pressing limited to 25,000 copies.[76][77] It was issued on CD and in other formats on September 21 in the US.[76] European and Australian versions of In Utero released that same month included "Gallons of Rubbing Alcohol Flow Through the Strip" as a hidden bonus track,[78] with a sticker on the cover reading "Exclusive International Bonus Track",[79] although the booklet referred to the song as a "Devalued American Dollar Purchase Incentive Track". According to Novoselic, DGC did not want the European version to compete with the US version, and so added the extra track.[18]
In Utero debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200,[80] selling 180,000 copies.[81] The retail chain stores Wal-Mart and Kmart refused to sell it; according to The New York Times, Wal-Mart said this was due to lack of consumer demand, while Kmart representatives said the album did not fit with their "merchandise mix".[82] In truth, both chains feared that customers would be offended by the artwork on the back cover. DGC issued a new version to the stores in March 1994, with edited album artwork, "Rape Me" retitled "Waif Me", and the Scott Litt remix of "Pennyroyal Tea".[83] A spokesperson for Nirvana explained that the band decided to edit the packaging because they wanted their music available to "kids who don't have the opportunity to go to mom-and-pop stores".[84] In Utero also debuted at number one in the United Kingdom where according to NME, "Nirvana confirmed their status as the seminal band of the time".[85]
In October 1993, Nirvana began their first American tour in two years to promote the album.[86] A second single, a split release that featured "All Apologies" and "Rape Me", was issued in December in the United Kingdom.[13] The band began a six-week European leg in February 1994, but it was canceled after Cobain suffered a drug overdose in Rome on March 6.[87] Cobain agreed to enter drug rehabilitation, but went missing soon afterward. On April 8, he was found dead in his Seattle home, having shot himself.[88] A third single from In Utero, "Pennyroyal Tea", was canceled in the wake of Cobain's death and the subsequent dissolution of Nirvana; limited promotional copies were released in Britain.[13] Three days after Cobain's body was discovered, In Utero moved from number 72 to number 27 on the Billboard charts,[89] with a 122% sales increase of 40,000 copies sold compared to 18,000 in the week before.[90]
In Utero has been certified five times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America for shipments of over five million units,[91] and has sold 4,258,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.[92]
Reissues
For the album's 20th anniversary, DGC reissued In Utero in several formats in September 2013, including the Live and Loud show on DVD.[93] For the album's 30th anniversary, DGC re-issued In Utero in several formats on October 27, 2023, which included the full December 30, 1993 show at the Great Western Forum in Los Angeles and the January 7, 1994 show at the Seattle Centre Arena.[94]
Critical reception
Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 90/100 (20th anniversary)[95] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Blender | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Chicago Sun-Times | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Christgau's Consumer Guide | A[98] |
Entertainment Weekly | B+[99] |
Los Angeles Times | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Music Week | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
NME | 8/10[102] |
Pitchfork | 10/10[103] |
Q | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Rolling Stone | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Select | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
In Utero received widespread acclaim from critics.[81] Time's Christopher John Farley stated in his review, "Despite the fears of some alternative-music fans, Nirvana hasn't gone mainstream, though this potent new album may once again force the mainstream to go Nirvana."[107] Rolling Stone reviewer David Fricke said that the album is "a lot of things – brilliant, corrosive, enraged and thoughtful, most of them all at once. But more than anything, it's a triumph of the will."[105] Entertainment Weekly reviewer David Browne commented "Kurt Cobain hates it all", and noted that the sentiment pervades the record. Browne argued, "The music is often mesmerizing, cathartic rock & roll, but it is rock & roll without release, because the band is suspicious of the old-school rock clichés such a release would evoke."[99]
NME writer John Mulvey had doubts about the record; he concluded, "As a document of a mind in flux – dithering, dissatisfied, unable to come to terms with sanity – Kurt should be proud of [the album]. As a follow-up to one of the best records of the past ten years it just isn't quite there."[102] Plugged In was not enthusiastic; reviewer Bob Waliszewski wrote, "In Utero is noxious noise with no redeeming value."[108] Ben Thompson of The Independent commented that in spite of the more abrasive songs, "In Utero is beautiful far more often than it is ugly ... Nirvana have wisely neglected to make the unlistenable punk-rock nightmare they threatened us with."[109] Q felt that the album showcases Cobain's songwriting abilities and wrote, "If this is how Cobain is going to develop, the future is lighthouse-bright."[104]
Several critics ranked In Utero one of the best releases of the year; it placed first and second in the album categories of the Rolling Stone and Village Voice Pazz & Jop year-end critics' polls.[110][111] The New York Times included it on its list of the top ten albums of the year.[112] It was nominated for Best Alternative Music Album at the 1994 Grammy Awards.[113] The guitar riff from "Very Ape" was sampled by British electronic band the Prodigy for their 1994 single "Voodoo People".[114][115]
Reappraisal
In Utero has continued to perform commercially and gather critical praise. In a 2003 Guitar World article for the album's tenth anniversary, Cobain biographer Charles R. Cross argued that In Utero was "a far better record than [Nevermind] and one that only 10 years later seems to be an influential seed spreader, judging by current bands. If it is possible for an album that sold four million copies to be overlooked, or underappreciated, then In Utero is that lost pearl."[116] That year, Pitchfork named In Utero the 13th best album of the 1990s.[117] Rolling Stone ranked it number 435 on its list The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time,[118] and 173 in its 2020 updated list.[119] It also ranked it the seventh best album of the 90s.[120]
In 2004, Blender named In Utero the 94th greatest American album,[121] and in 2005, Spin named it the 51st best album of the previous 20 years.[122] In 2005, In Utero was ranked number 358 in Rock Hard's book of The 500 Greatest Rock & Metal Albums of All Time.[123] In 2013, Diffuser.fm named In Utero the fourth best album of 1993,[124] while NME ranked it at number 35 on its list "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time".[125] The album was also included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.[126] In May 2017, Loudwire ranked it at number six on its list "The 30 Best Grunge Albums of All Time".[127] In April 2019, Rolling Stone placed it at number eight on its 50 Greatest Grunge Albums list.[128] In October 2023, the Official Charts Company revealed that In Utero was the fifth most streamed album from the 1990s in the United Kingdom.[129][130]
Track listing
All tracks are written by Kurt Cobain, except tracks 2 and 13 written with Krist Novoselic and Dave Grohl.[131]
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Serve the Servants" | 3:36 |
2. | "Scentless Apprentice" | 3:48 |
3. | "Heart-Shaped Box" | 4:41 |
4. | "Rape Me" | 2:50 |
5. | "Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge on Seattle" | 4:09 |
6. | "Dumb" | 2:32 |
7. | "Very Ape" | 1:56 |
8. | "Milk It" | 3:55 |
9. | "Pennyroyal Tea" | 3:37 |
10. | "Radio Friendly Unit Shifter" | 4:51 |
11. | "tourette's" | 1:35 |
12. | "All Apologies" | 3:51 |
Total length: | 41:23 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
12. | "All Apologies"
| 31:32 |
Notes
- Original non-US CD pressings of the album include "Gallons of Rubbing Alcohol Flow Through the Strip" as a hidden track. It is listed on the back cover as track 13, but is heard after approximately 20 minutes of silence on track 12 following "All Apologies", beginning at 24:00.
Personnel
Personnel adapted from In Utero liner notes [131]
Nirvana
Other musicians
|
Technical
|
Charts
Original release
20th anniversary edition
30th anniversary edition
|
Year-end charts
Decade-end charts
|
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Argentina (CAPIF)[191] | Platinum | 60,000^ |
Australia (ARIA)[192] | 2× Platinum | 140,000^ |
Austria (IFPI Austria)[193] | Gold | 25,000* |
Belgium (BEA)[194] | Platinum | 50,000* |
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[195] | Gold | 100,000* |
Canada (Music Canada)[196] | 6× Platinum | 600,000^ |
France (SNEP)[197] | Platinum | 300,000* |
Germany (BVMI)[198] | Gold | 250,000^ |
Italy (FIMI)[199] Units sold since 2009 |
Platinum | 50,000‡ |
Japan (RIAJ)[200] | Platinum | 200,000^ |
Mexico (AMPROFON)[201] | Gold | 100,000^ |
Netherlands (NVPI)[202] | Gold | 50,000^ |
New Zealand (RMNZ)[203] | 3× Platinum | 45,000^ |
Norway (IFPI Norway)[204] | Gold | 25,000* |
Poland (ZPAV)[205] | Gold | 50,000* |
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[206] | Gold | 50,000^ |
Sweden (GLF)[207] | Gold | 50,000^ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[208] | 2× Platinum | 600,000‡ |
United States (RIAA)[209] | 5× Platinum | 5,000,000^ |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
References
- ^ Willman, Chris (September 12, 2013). "Nirvana's 'In Utero' Turns 20: The Drama Over Kurt Cobain's Last Musical Testament". Yahoo! Music. Archived from the original on March 11, 2014. Retrieved October 22, 2013.
- ^ Jovanovic, Rob (2004). Nirvana - The Recording Sessions (1st ed.). Firefly. p. 97. ISBN 0-946719-60-8.
- ^ Kohrman, Miles (September 27, 2013). "Reach Creative Nirvana With This Grunge Masterpiece". Fast Company. Archived from the original on October 20, 2020. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
- ^ "Noise Rock Guide: History and Characteristics of Noise Rock". MasterClass. June 24, 2021. Archived from the original on July 25, 2021. Retrieved July 25, 2021.
- ^ "10 Essential '90s Alt-Rock Albums". Treble. July 25, 2013. Archived from the original on November 11, 2020. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
- ^ Blatt, Ruth (September 16, 2013). "Nirvana's 'In Utero' And The Problem Of Authenticity At Work". Forbes Magazine. Archived from the original on November 11, 2020. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
- ^ Cross, 2001. p. 193
- ^ Olsen, Eric. "10 years later, Cobain lives on in his music Archived March 23, 2017, at the Wayback Machine". MSNBC. April 9, 2004. Retrieved July 5, 2007.
- ^ Gaar, 2006. p. 70
- ^ Azerrad, Michael (April 16, 1992). "Nirvana: Inside the Hear and Mind of Kurt Cobain". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
- ^ "Nirvana Producer Butch Vig Remembers 'Nevermind'". Billboard. September 20, 2011. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
- ^ Azerrad, 1994. p. 312
- ^ a b c d e Gaar, Gillian G. "Verse Chorus Verse: The Recording History of Nirvana". Goldmine. February 14, 1997.
- ^ True, Everett. "Nirvana: Crucified By Success?" Melody Maker. July 25, 1992.
- ^ Gaar, 2006. p. 17
- ^ Gaar, 2006. p. 21–22
- ^ Gaar, 2006. p. 23
- ^ a b c d e Gaar, Gillian G (2006). Nirvana's In Utero. United States: Bloomsbury Publishing USA. pp. 26–27. ISBN 9781441193643. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
- ^ a b Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "In Utero – Nirvana". AllMusic. Archived from the original on June 15, 2016. Retrieved June 1, 2016.
- ^ a b DeRogatis, 2003. p. 5–6
- ^ Azerrad, 1994. p. 313
- ^ a b c Azerrad, 1994. p. 314
- ^ Gaar, 2006. p. 39
- ^ a b c d e Cameron, Keith. "This Is Pop". Mojo. May 2001.
- ^ a b c Gaar, 2006. p. 40
- ^ Gaar, 2006. p. 36–37
- ^ a b c d e f Azerrad, 1994. p. 315
- ^ Azerrad credits Weston as "assistant engineer", but the album liner notes list him as "technician".
- ^ DeRogatis, 2003. p. 16–17
- ^ Azerrad, 1994. p. 316
- ^ a b c d Azerrad, 1994. p. 317
- ^ a b Gaar, 2006. p. 61
- ^ Azerrad, 1994. p. 318–19
- ^ Gaar, 2006. p. 64
- ^ DeRogatis, 2003. p. 6
- ^ Azerrad, 1994. p. 331
- ^ a b Azerrad, 1994. p. 332
- ^ Mothersole, Ben. "Nirvana's Kurt Cobain: Getting to Know Utero". Circus. November 30, 1993.
- ^ Gaar, 2006. p. 69
- ^ Azerrad, 1994. p. 336
- ^ Kot, Greg. "Record Label Finds Little Bliss in Nirvana's Latest". Chicago Tribune. April 19, 1993.
- ^ Gaar, 2006. p. 66
- ^ Goodman, Fred. "Nirvana to 'Newsweek': Drop dead". Rolling Stone. June 24, 1993.
- ^ Azerrad, 1994. p. 336–37
- ^ Azerrad, 1994. p. 337–38
- ^ Azerrad, 1994. p. 338
- ^ "Steve Albini: "I realised that other people's opinions of me had no power over me… I still don't give a shit if I get judged"". Kerrang!. January 25, 2021. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
- ^ Gaar, 2006. p. 45
- ^ a b Azerrad, 1994. p. 321
- ^ Azerrad, 1994. p. 332–33
- ^ Azerrad, 1994. p. 323
- ^ DeRogatis, 2003. p. 18
- ^ Gaar, 2006. p. 3
- ^ Azerrad, 1994. p. 326–27
- ^ Gaar, 2006. p. 41
- ^ Steinke, Darcey. "Smashing Their Heads on That Punk Rock". Spin: pp. 42–49. October 1993.
- ^ Gaar, 2006. p. 50–51
- ^ Gaar, 2006. p. 42–43
- ^ Joiner, Thomas (2005). Why People Die By Suicide. Harvard University Press. p. 88. ISBN 0-674-01901-6.
- ^ Savage, Jon. "Sounds Dirty: The Truth About Nirvana". The Observer. August 15, 1993.
- ^ Sutcliffe, Phil. "Kurt Cobain: King of Pain". Q. October 1993.
- ^ Azerrad, 1994. p. 322
- ^ Azerrad, 1994, p. 322–23
- ^ Azerrad, 1994. p. 325
- ^ Azerrad, 1994. p. 326
- ^ True, Everett (March 13, 2007). Nirvana: The Biography. Da Capo Press. ISBN 978-0306815546.
- ^ Cross, 2001. p. 277
- ^ Azerrad, 1994. p. 330
- ^ Cross, 2001. p. 278
- ^ Gaar, 2006. p. 79
- ^ Gaar, 2006. p. 83
- ^ Gaar, 2006. p. 84
- ^ "EMP to Stage World's Most Extensive Nirvana Exhibit". Guitar World. October 14, 2010. Archived from the original on March 26, 2020. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
- ^ a b Rosen, Craig. "Nirvana Set Has Smell of Success". Billboard. September 25, 1993.
- ^ DeRogatis, 2003. p. 4
- ^ a b Gaar, 2006. p. 97
- ^ "In the Works: Pearl Jam on Vinyl Archived October 10, 2014, at the Wayback Machine". Entertainment Weekly. October 15, 1993. Retrieved August 29, 2012.
- ^ Borzillo-Vrenna, 2003. p. 188
- ^ "Gallons Of Rubbing Alcohol Flow Through The Strip". livenirvana.com. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
- ^ "In Numero Uno". Entertainment Weekly. October 8, 1993. Retrieved December 1, 2008. Archived from the original on January 16, 2010.
- ^ a b Gaar, 2006. p. 98
- ^ Pareles, Jon. "Nirvana, the Band That Hates to Be Loved Archived March 8, 2021, at the Wayback Machine". The New York Times. November 14, 1993. Retrieved February 25, 2008.
- ^ Gaar, 2006. p. 87
- ^ Gordinier, Jeff. "Attention Kmart Shoppers Archived February 14, 2009, at the Wayback Machine". Entertainment Weekly. April 8, 1994. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ 30 Years of The NME Album Chart. London: Boxtree Ltd. 1995. p. 415. ISBN 0752208241. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
- ^ Azerrad, 1994. p. 352
- ^ Azerrad, 1994. p. 344, 354
- ^ Strauss, Neil; Foege, Alec. "The Downward Spiral Archived February 2, 2013, at the Wayback Machine". Rolling Stone. June 2, 1994. Retrieved September 1, 2011.
- ^ Pareles, Jon. "Music Confers an Afterlife As Cacophony Lingers On Archived March 8, 2021, at the Wayback Machine". The New York Times. April 17, 1994. Retrieved January 21, 2009.
- ^ Rosen, Craig; Morris, Chris (April 23, 1994). "Cobain Death Spurs Rush at Retail" (PDF). Billboard. p. 9. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
- ^ Top 100 Albums Archived October 18, 2015, at the Wayback Machine. RIAA.com. Retrieved November 20, 2008.
- ^ Grein, Paul (October 1, 2013). "Week Ending Sept. 29, 2013. Albums: Drake, Cher Set Records". Chart Watch. Yahoo!. Archived from the original on October 12, 2013. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
- ^ Aswad, Jem (September 23, 2013). "Nirvana's 'In Utero' Turns 20: Is the Box Set Worth $125?". Spin. Archived from the original on October 18, 2015. Retrieved October 13, 2015.
- ^ Deaux, John (September 5, 2023). "Nirvana In Utero: 30th anniversary multi-format reissues arrive October 27, 2023". allabouttherock.co.uk. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
- ^ "In Utero [20th Anniversary Edition] by Nirvana Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Retrieved September 26, 2021.
- ^ Wolk, Douglas (April 2008). "Back Catalogue: Nirvana". Blender (68). New York: 88–89.
- ^ DeRogatis, Jim (August 29, 1993). "Here They Are Now . . . Nirvana". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on November 19, 2018. Retrieved October 17, 2016.
- ^ Christgau, Robert (2000). "Nirvana: In Utero". Christgau's Consumer Guide: Albums of the '90s. Macmillan Publishers. p. 227. ISBN 0-312-24560-2. Archived from the original on November 29, 2010. Retrieved August 14, 2016.
- ^ a b Browne, David (September 24, 1993). "In Utero". Entertainment Weekly. New York. Retrieved June 1, 2016.
- ^ Willman, Chris (September 19, 1993). "Nirvana's Brash Punk With Spunk". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on August 11, 2016. Retrieved June 1, 2016.
- ^ Aston, Martin (September 4, 1993). "Market Preview: Alternative — Pick of the Week" (PDF). Music Week. p. 17. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
- ^ a b Mulvey, John (September 4, 1993). "Nirvana : In Utero". NME. London. Archived from the original on February 2, 2009. Retrieved February 25, 2008.
- ^ Berman, Stuart (September 24, 2013). "Nirvana: In Utero: 20th Anniversary Edition Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved September 26, 2021.
- ^ a b "Nirvana: In Utero". Q (85). London: 114. October 1993.
- ^ a b Fricke, David (September 16, 1993). "In Utero". Rolling Stone. New York. Archived from the original on May 7, 2016. Retrieved June 1, 2016.
- ^ Cavanagh, David (October 1993). "The Hell-Shaped Womb". Select (40). London: 86–87.
- ^ Farley, Christopher John. "To The End of Grunge Archived April 24, 2011, at the Wayback Machine." Time. September 20, 1993. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
- ^ "In Utero". Plugged In. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
- ^ Thompson, Ben. In Utero (review). Independent on Sunday. September 1993.
- ^ Fricke, David. "Kurt Cobain: The Rolling Stone Interview". Rolling Stone. January 27, 1994.
- ^ Christgau, Robert. "The 1993 Pazz & Jop Critics Poll Archived June 6, 2011, at the Wayback Machine". The Village Voice. March 1, 1994. Retrieved December 13, 2008.
- ^ Pareles, Jon. "The Pop Life". The New York Times. January 5, 1994. Retrieved December 13, 2008.
- ^ Rule, Sheila. "Sting Nominated To Receive 6 Grammys". The New York Times. January 7, 1994. Retrieved December 13, 2008.
- ^ Moy, Ron (2015). Authorship Roles in Popular Music: Issues and Debates. Routledge. p. 101. ISBN 9781317672746. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
- ^ James, Martin (2015). Dave Grohl - Times Like His: Foo Fighters, Nirvana & Other Misadventures. Bonnier Zaffre. p. (No page number). ISBN 9781784187637. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
- ^ Cross, Charles R. "Bollocks to Nevermind...Here's in Utero". Guitar World. October 2003.
- ^ Pitchfork Media staff. "Staff Lists: Top 100 Albums of the 1990s Archived February 28, 2016, at the Wayback Machine". Pitchfork Media. November 17, 2003. Retrieved October 9, 2011.
- ^ "435 – In Utero – Nirvana Archived August 20, 2017, at the Wayback Machine". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
- ^ "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time". Rolling Stone. September 22, 2020. Archived from the original on September 22, 2020. Retrieved October 11, 2020.
- ^ "7 – In Utero – Nirvana Archived May 5, 2021, at the Wayback Machine". Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
- ^ "100 Greatest American Albums of All Time: In Utero". Blender. 2004. Retrieved January 25, 2009. Archived October 18, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Brod, Doug. "Nirvana – In Utero". Spin. July 2005.
- ^ Best of Rock & Metal - Die 500 stärksten Scheiben aller Zeiten (in German). Rock Hard. 2005. p. 66. ISBN 3-89880-517-4.
- ^ Gallucci, Michael (April 7, 2013). "10 Best Albums From 1993". Diffuser.fm. Archived from the original on October 20, 2020. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
- ^ "The 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time: 100-1 | NME". NME Music News, Reviews, Videos, Galleries, Tickets and Blogs | NME.COM. October 25, 2013. Archived from the original on May 2, 2019. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
- ^ Robert Dimery; Michael Lydon (March 23, 2010). 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die: Revised and Updated Edition. Universe. ISBN 978-0-7893-2074-2.
- ^ "The 30 Best Grunge Albums of All Time". Loudwire. May 24, 2017. Archived from the original on September 17, 2020. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
- ^ "50 Greatest Grunge Albums". Rolling Stone. April 1, 2019. Archived from the original on April 3, 2019. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
- ^ Ainsley, Helen (October 6, 2023). "BBC Radio 2 announces the Official Most Streamed 90s Albums Chart for National Album Day". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
- ^ KA (October 7, 2023). "Oasis win the Streaming Chart Battle of the 1990s as BBC Radio 2 announces the Official Most Streamed 90s Albums Chart for National Album Day". BBC Online. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
- ^ a b In Utero (CD liner notes). Nirvana. DGC. 1993.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "Australiancharts.com – Nirvana – In Utero". Hung Medien. Retrieved 8 May 2016.
- ^ "ARIA Alternative Charts Top 20". ARIA Report. No. 191. October 3, 1993. p. 11. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
- ^ "Austriancharts.at – Nirvana – In Utero" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 8 May 2016.
- ^ "Hits of the world - Continued" (PDF). Last Week's Position. Billboard. November 20, 1993. p. 53. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
- ^ "Top 10 Sales in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. October 30, 1993. p. 18. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
- ^ "Discos mas populares de Latinoamerica". El Siglo de Torreón. UPI. October 8, 1993. p. 39. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
- ^ "Discos mas populares de Latinoamerica". El Siglo de Torreón. UPI. October 16, 1993. p. 48. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
- ^ "Hits of the World - Canada" (PDF). Billboard. October 23, 1993. p. 82. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
- ^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 2262". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved October 18, 2019.
- ^ a b "Top 10 Sales in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. October 9, 1993. p. 13. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
- ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Nirvana – In Utero" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 8 May 2016.
- ^ "Hits of the World - Eurochart Hot 100" (PDF). Billboard. October 23, 1993. p. 82. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
- ^ "European Top 100 Albums" (PDF). Music & Media. October 16, 1993. p. 20. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
- ^ InfoDisc : Le Détail des Albums de chaque Artiste Archived September 18, 2017, at the Wayback Machine. Infodisc.fr. Retrieved October 10, 2012. NB user has to select "Nirvana" from the drop down list.
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Nirvana – In Utero" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
- ^ "Album Top 40 slágerlista – 1993. 48. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
- ^ Tonlist - 30 September, 1993 Archived April 10, 2017, at the Wayback Machine timarit.is. Retrieved March 9, 2017.
- ^ "M & D". musicaedischi.it (in Italian). Retrieved March 21, 2023.
User must do a "albums" search for "Nirvana"
- ^ "Charts.nz – Nirvana – In Utero". Hung Medien. Retrieved 8 May 2016.
- ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Nirvana – In Utero". Hung Medien. Retrieved 8 May 2016.
- ^ "Top 10 Sales in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. October 23, 1993. p. 24. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
- ^ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
- ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Nirvana – In Utero". Hung Medien. Retrieved 8 May 2016.
- ^ "Swisscharts.com – Nirvana – In Utero". Hung Medien. Retrieved 8 May 2016.
- ^ "Top 10 Sales in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. October 2, 1993. p. 14. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
- ^ "Nirvana | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved 8 May 2016.
- ^ "Nirvana Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 8 May 2016.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – Nirvana – In Utero" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 8 May 2016.
- ^ a b "Nirvana - Greece Albums". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 13, 2020. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
- ^ "Oficjalna lista sprzedaży :: OLiS - Official Retail Sales Chart". OLiS. Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved September 22, 2022.
- ^ "Wallonian charts".
- ^ "Ultratop.be – Nirvana – In Utero" (in Dutch). Hung Medien.
- ^ "Italiancharts.com – Nirvana – In Utero". Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
- ^ "Nirvana – In Utero". Oricon ME Inc. Retrieved September 14, 2016.
- ^ a b "Portuguesecharts.com – Nirvana – In Utero". Hung Medien.
- ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
- ^ "Billboard 200".
- ^ "Nirvana Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard.
- ^ "Nirvana Chart History (Top Catalog Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
- ^ "Nirvana Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard.
- ^ "Wallonian charts 2023".
- ^ "Top 100 Albums of 1993". RPM. Archived from the original on December 16, 2014. Retrieved October 13, 2015.
- ^ "1993 Year-End Sales Charts - Eurochart Hot 100 Albums 1993" (PDF). Music & Media. December 18, 1993. p. 15. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 19, 2020. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
- ^ "Les Albums (CD) de 1993 par InfoDisc". InfoDisc (in French). Archived from the original on February 23, 2014. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
- ^ "Top Selling Albums of 1993". RIANZ. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved October 13, 2015.
- ^ "Najlepiej sprzedające się albumy w W.Brytanii w 1993r" (in Polish). Z archiwum...rocka. Archived from the original on September 27, 2012. Retrieved October 13, 2015.
- ^ "Billboard 200 Albums - Year-End 1993". Billboard. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
- ^ "The ARIA Australian Top 100 Albums 1994". Australian Record Industry Association Ltd. Archived from the original on November 2, 2015. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
- ^ "RPM Top 100 Albums of 1994". RPM. December 12, 1994. Archived from the original on March 11, 2016. Retrieved December 12, 2013.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten - Album 1994" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Archived from the original on September 20, 2015. Retrieved October 13, 2015.
- ^ "Classement Albums – année 1994" (in French). SNEP. Archived from the original on March 15, 2012. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
- ^ "Complete UK Year-End Album Charts". Archived from the original on May 19, 2012. Retrieved April 29, 2012.
- ^ "Top 50 Pop Albums - Cashbox Year-End Awards" (PDF). Cashbox. December 31, 1994. p. 11. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
- ^ "1994: Billboard 200 Albums". Billboard. January 2, 2013. Archived from the original on May 6, 2018. Retrieved July 1, 2014.
- ^ "Canada's Top 200 Alternative albums of 2002". Jam!. Archived from the original on September 2, 2004. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
- ^ "Top 100 Metal Albums of 2002". Jam!. Archived from the original on August 12, 2004. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
- ^ "2018 ARIA Vinyl Albums Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on March 21, 2020. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
- ^ "2019 ARIA Vinyl Albums Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on March 21, 2020. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
- ^ "Official Top 100 biggest selling vinyl albums of the decade". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on March 10, 2020. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
- ^ "Discos de oro y platino" (in Spanish). Cámara Argentina de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Archived from the original on July 6, 2011. Retrieved September 16, 2012.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1996 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
- ^ "Austrian album certifications – Nirvana – In Utero" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
- ^ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – albums 1995". Ultratop. Hung Medien.
- ^ "Brazilian album certifications – Nirvana – In Utero" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
- ^ "Canadian album certifications – Nirvana – In Utero". Music Canada. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
- ^ "French album certifications – Nirvana – In Utero" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
- ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Nirvana; 'In Utero')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
- ^ "Italian album certifications – Nirvana – In Utero" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
- ^ "Japanese album certifications – ニルヴァーナ – イン・ユーテロ" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved August 2, 2013. Select 2000年2月 on the drop-down menu
- ^ "Certificaciones" (in Spanish). Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Retrieved May 4, 2019. Type Nirvana in the box under the ARTISTA column heading and In Utero in the box under the TÍTULO column heading.
- ^ "Dutch album certifications – Nirvana – In Utero" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Enter In Utero in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 1994 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".
- ^ "Latest Gold / Platinum Albums". Radioscope. July 17, 2011. Archived from the original on July 24, 2011. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
- ^ "IFPI Norsk platebransje Trofeer 1993–2011" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
- ^ "Wyróżnienia – Złote płyty CD - Archiwum - Przyznane w 1997 roku" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
- ^ Solo Exitos 19592002 Ano A Ano: Certificados 1991–1995. Solo Exitos 1959–2002 Ano A Ano. 2005. ISBN 8480486392. Archived from the original on April 4, 2014. Retrieved February 2, 2014.
- ^ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1987−1998" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 17, 2011.
- ^ "British album certifications – Nirvana – In Utero". British Phonographic Industry.
- ^ "American album certifications – Nirvana – In Utero". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
Further reading
- Azerrad, Michael (1994). Come as You Are: The Story of Nirvana. Doubleday. ISBN 0-385-47199-8.
- Borzillo-Vrenna, Carrie (2003). Nirvana: The Day to Day Illustrated Journals (Reprint ed.). Barnes & Noble Books. ISBN 9780760748930 – via Internet Archive (registration required).
- Cameron, Keith (May 2001). "This Is Pop". Mojo.
- Cross, Charles R. (2001). Heavier Than Heaven: A Biography of Kurt Cobain. Hyperion. ISBN 0-7868-8402-9.
- DeRogatis, Jim (2003). Milk It!: Collected Musings on the Alternative Music Explosion of the 90s. Da Capo. ISBN 0-306-81271-1.
- Gaar, Gillian G. (2006). In Utero. 33⅓. Vol. 34. Continuum International Publishing Group. ISBN 0-8264-1776-0.
- Rocco, John, ed. (1998). The Nirvana Companion: Two Decades of Commentary. Schirmer. ISBN 0-02-864930-3.
- Young, Charles M. (2004). "Nirvana". In Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian (eds.). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th ed.). Simon & Schuster. ISBN 0-7432-0169-8.
External links
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fa/Wikiquote-logo.svg/34px-Wikiquote-logo.svg.png)
- Live Nirvana Companion to Official Releases – In Utero
- In Utero at Discogs (list of releases)
- In Utero at MusicBrainz (list of releases)