To say that Nirvana were a massive enterprise of a band by 1993 is to say something as obvious as human breathe. The band were coming off the massive ‘Nevermind’ tour, which lasted over eighteen months. They had taken over the world and the record company was starving for a follow up. And instead of appeasing their contractual overlords, they released ‘In Utero.’ An unapologetic fist to the face of everything commercial at the time.
The polished, stadium ready sound of ‘Nevermind’ had been replaced with an abrasive, indie tone. Legendary indie producer Steve Albini was at the helm. Getting the most raw and honest sound out of Nirvana. The lyrics were noticeably darker and more introspective that the previous two recordings. While many of their peers were enjoying the success that the Seattle scene had gained, Nirvana seemed to have a certain amount of disdain for their success. And they weren’t shy about expressing that on ‘In Utero.’ Tracks like ‘Rape Me,’ ‘Tourettes’ and ‘Dumb’ showcase an even more sarcastic and spiteful Kurt Cobain. But the band doesn’t shy away from their pop sensibilities that made them so popular. ‘All Apologies,’ ‘Heart Shaped Box’ and ‘Francis Farmer Will Have Her Revenge On Seattle’ all pack the familiar punch and melody that made ‘Nevermind’ so successful. But they all possess a much more unfiltered stream of consciousness from Cobain. No doubt due to his heroin abuse at the time. But it’s what makes the album, along with the production, so unique.
It’s the deep cuts that make the album so killer though. ‘Milk It’ and ‘Scentless Apprentice’ recall the heavy metal sludge of the band’s first album ‘Bleach.’ Two killer, heavy groove tracks. ‘Radio Friendly Unit Shifter’ is pure 90’s alt punk. Making it signature Nirvana. That was their school out of the Seattle scene. As opposed to Alice In Chains’ and Soundgarden’s heavy metal creds. ‘Very Ape’ kicks the punk notch up even more. All in all a veracious record. One that fans often site as their favorite. Instead of ‘going mainstream,’ Nirvana had done the exact opposite. However, the mainstream ended up going to Nirvana and the album debuted at number one. The band set out on yet another world tour and Cobain, realising his fate of being a popular rock star, would commit suicide before concluding Nirvana’s European leg.
‘In Utero’ remains a glimpse of what the future may have held for Nirvana. An honest, raw record that didn’t give a damn what other people thought. That’s what gained the band so much respect in the first place. And with the release of ‘In Utero,’ Cobain a co. solidified their reputations as artists. Making the music that they want to make. Whether it fails or not. And the album remains a testament to that mentality.
