In just seven years—and only three with mainstream success—Nirvana paved the way for the sound of American music in the early 1990’s. Few bands were able to make such profound and impactful statements in the music industry in such a brief amount of time.
Following their 1989 album, Bleach, and 1991’s Nevermind, Nirvana released their third and final studio album, In Utero, on September 21, 1993. It was a major step forward for the band, using this new platform of fame to challenge their audience and distort both their public image and their sound.
The record wasn’t completed during their studio session with Steve Albini, however, and took R.E.M producer Scott Litt to dedicate some serious amendments to the album’s overall packaging, resolving controversy over the record’s production and mixing. This was difficult for bandleader Kurt Cobain to deal with, as he wanted to keep this record in the nature that sought to define it: raw, in the moment, fluid with his own pace. But the label wouldn’t approve, saying no one would like it.
It was after Scott Litt’s adaptations that the quality of the record was finally ready for their label DGC to approve as commercially viable. With his help, “Heart-Shaped Box” made it out to the shelves as the first single, and the entire record eventually debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. Selling over 180,000 copies in the first week alone, stores like Kmart and Wal-Mart still refused to sell the less-than-appropriate work-of-art.
While the band’s intent was to relinquish mainstream approval and defy the standards of their label’s interests, they still managed to deliver one of the most important records of the 90s. Kurt Cobain died less a year later on April 5, 1994. In honor of In Utero‘s milestone birthday today, stream the full record below via Spotify:
Nirvana – In Utero – Full Album
