MTV Unplugged In New York

I've never bought into the "Cobain was the voice of a generation" crap. This surprisingly intimate, honest live album is so much more than just KC, especially viewed in context of the greater music industry. Much of the major label music released after 1993 is extremely overproduced and polished; even stuff that was supposed to be raw and edgy is now sterile and safe. Those of us old enough remember that MTV itself went to shit starting in the mid-90s, moving away from music to TV and "reality" shows. So it's not unreasonable to regard this album (and the live event it captured) as a funeral for rock.

Go ahead and unplug me too while you’re at it.

Nothing like a 5-star record on a Saturday! I love this album so much, and I don't think there is a better album that represents Nirvana's talent more that this set. Beyond cool renditions of their own stuff, which was pretty new at the time, they did an amazing cover of Bowie's The Man Who Sold The World. From beginning to end, they have never sounded better and the gritty Where Did You Sleep Last Night is Cool Whip on top for me. Where would listening to this album be the best?....IN THE PINES, IN THE PINES!

A bunch of album tracks and half a dozen cover versions doesn't necessarily sound like the recipe for a killer acoustic live album but 'Unplugged In New York' turns out to be something special. The bands material translates wonderfully well into intimate, acoustic arrangements, and their cover versions are often better than the originals. A tantalizing look at what Nirvana might've evolved into, and still a fitting if sad way for the band to go out despite the large shadow Kurt Cobain's death casts over this record.

I never could understand all the hype about Nirvana and Cobain, but since the band and this album are so highly rated on 1,001 I figured it deserved a good listen. Well, I still don’t get all the hype. I also think you need to be a fan to like hearing them do stripped down versions of their hits because I think the studio versions are better. The best song on this album IMO is The Man Who Sold The World, and that’s Bowie song, so take that for what is worth.

No thank you

Really cool to have a live album that became so ubiquitous and got serious airplay! I feel if you mention 'unplugged', you're talking about this album...or have to seriously clarify. Love that Nirvana pushed against the hitfactory MTV wanted and was able to make something unique and profound. I'd probably give this a 4 if it was only the music, as some of the tracks aren't my favorite, but the covers, story, guests (this is what intro'd me to the Meat Puppets, rad!) and legacy gotta bump it up to a five for me!

I heard this before In Utero or Bleach so these versions are still somehow more familiar to me. Weird. The thing that makes this album great is that they very easily could've just gone out their and played their biggest hits acoustically and called it a day. But they really only played one hit song and really focused on curating a performance that worked best for that setting and created a certain mood.

Amazing album, lots of great covers. Originals are spot on. Kurt messes up a few times but the band is pretty spot on. Something magical about this performance maybe it's nostalgia.

When I was at school if you liked guitar music you were either into Britpop, Grunge, or Metal. The kids of Wyvern weren't having people crossing over and liking different Genres. I had quite a happy childhood so I joined the former bandwagon. Now as a miserable 30 something I can appreciate Nirvana a lot more. I still have no time for metal though. Stripped back these songs actually sound better which is a testamant to the song writing on show. What you are hearing here is a superstar at the absolute peak of his powers. One of, if not the best live album ever made featuring the greatest cover version of all time in Man who sold the world. 5/5

There are a few of the Unplugged series that will go down in music history. This is one of them. Who would have guessed that these Nirvana songs and covers would translate so well into acoustic gems to make an amazing album. Performances are top-notch and memorable, and you only want to revisit this concert again and again.

Nirvana was not a good band. I will die on this hill.

Some of the instrumentals were nice. But overall I found this terribly boring.

I hate Nirvana. I will not listen to this album. Fuck Kurt Cobain.

Nirvana stayed true to their vision and I gotta respect that. Producers wanted more well known songs and guest artists plus an encore, and Nirvana told them to stuff it. They played hidden gems like About A Girl, The Man Who Sold The World, and Oh, Me that I otherwise wouldn’t know nearly as well if at all. I like that they paid tribute to their lesser known musical influences. Even though it’s an “acoustic” set, mostly…Cobain used an amp and effects pedals, there is still an edge to the set especially in Cobain’s vocals. Big props. Mad love.

This is not my first time listening to this album. This will not be my last time, either. Nirvana is one of my favorite bands, therefore, this review will be in their favor. Let me just start off by saying that this album is amazing. Although all the songs are live recordings, that doesn't damage their value. If anything, it makes them better. You can hear the raw emotion in Kurt's voice. Every imperfection is dazzling. In this album, there is a variety of songs. Some are from Bleach, In Utero, and Nevermind, while others aren't even Nirvana original songs. These covers are what make the album, especially The Man Who Sold The World and Where Did You Sleep Last Night. They are very powerful to listen to. This album is truly an essential listen. 5/5

This is a close to a perfect album. In one performance, Nirvana showed the world that they didn't need to scream or play really loudly to completely blow you away. After stripping things down acoustically they revealed how incredible their songs really are. Many of the songs in this performance surpass their album counterparts. Kurt also used this moment to introduce the world to some of his favorite artists by doing inspired renditions of songs like "The man who sold the world", "Lake of Fire" and "Oh Me". This album is still relevant 30 years later and a true testimant to what an amazing band Nirvana was.

As probably predicted this is ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me. A concert that will still be talked long after we are gone (although I’d argue Alice in Chains unplugged is a better set for the unplugged format) it cruises to a five on the strength of the covers alone - Lake of Fire but especially Where did you sleep last night which just gave me goosebumps for the trillionth time this morning 😍

This is an easy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me. A concert that will still be talked long after we are gone (although I’d argue Alice in Chains unplugged is a better set for the unplugged format) it cruises to a five on the strength of the covers alone - Lake of Fire but especially Where did you sleep last night which just gave me goosebumps for the trillionth time this morning 😍

This album can’t be denied. It makes me ask, was Nirvana potentially a better acoustic band? Is this their most iconic album? Was this the catalyst for Indy Rock? It’s close, but I think Nevermind is still the most iconic and evidence that their just as good as rockers. This album is so good though, so many perfect covers chosen from an eclectic swath of artists. Also had great renditions of original songs. Kurt’s scratchy voice, the acoustic guitars with electric pickups, the cello, the pump organ, the acoustic bass, the banter and KURTS SWEATER, maybe it’s because I’ve listened to it so many times, but it just feels nearly perfect, especially considering I generally hate live albums and would always prefer an album recorded on the studio. A+

Where did you sleep last night completely blew me away. A truly powerful performance

One of their best performances; the last track is haunting.

To me, this is the most perfect live record that has ever been released. While Nirvana is known principally for their roles as pioneers of the grunge movement with their loud, abrasive punk rock roots, this recording shows their sound goes beyond that. There are raw, emotional lyrics (mostly written by late great Kurt Cobain) and beautiful melodies that exist beyond their signature sound. Though Cobain doesn't have the most angelic voice in the game, his power and angst at lead vocal fits like a glove for the songs they write and perform. There is a good mix of stripped-down versions of songs from three of their studio albums, but the most notable tracks from this concert to me are the covers. In a stroke of genius, they didn't cover other over-played rock tracks like a cover band at a dive bar. Rather, Nirvana did a version of the Christian song "Jesus Doesn't Want Me for a Sunbeam", a traditional folk song "Where Did You Sleep Last Night", and for me the masterpiece of this record which was a David Bowie cover, "The Man Who Sold The World". A lesser band could've rested on their laurels and simply played only their monster hits like "Smells Like Teen Spirit" (which didn't even make it on the setlist). But this dynamic recording skirted those expectations and it paid off. My favorite artists are always ones that can sound as comfortable in an acoustic setting as they are absolutely shredding, and this album is no exception. This session solidifies their short but iconic reign at the top of the rock landscape, and made them an all-time influential band. 10/10

An amazing set, and in my opinion the most interesting Nirvana album (Nevermind and In Utero are both great too). This mostly acoustic performance to me showcases the band’s talents, especially Cobain, as much or more as their studio albums. I prefer these renditions over many of their proper studio counterparts, especially the iconic All Apologies take. They arguably best David Fucking Bowie on The Man Who Sold The World, which should be a big enough endorsement for the record all by itself. It’s also very cool that Nirvana, one of the world’s biggest bands at the time, covered songs from Meat Puppets and Vaseline. The Lead Belly cover is also awesome and introduced Lead Belly to a new generation. Cobain’s singing is great and his words are able to stand out more clearly in the mix, making it easier to take in his sad, skeptical, brilliantly cryptic lyrics. His vocal performance on Lead Belly’s Where Did You Sleep Last Night is pretty incredible. It’s not all Kurt though. Novoselic‘s bass sounds great throughout. Dave Grohl adds some nice backing vocals and his restraint on the percussion is noteworthy I think as it shows he understood the assignment. What’s most sad to me is that this showed the world that Nirvana had range that probably could have produced some more amazing music if not for Kurt’s death. I’m not the biggest grunge or even Nirvana fan (although I do love their albums), but this is an all time great live album.

Am I going to write this review … by myself? Another album I loved as a kid. I will always remember the track teammate who would listen to this on the bus before meets. To get himself hyped? To mellow himself out? I never asked and now I’ll never know. The Nirvana tracks on this are good and several of them improve in this setting (About a Girl, Dumb, Something in the Way), but the covers are the standouts, especially the final track. If you’ve never seen Cobain’s eyes widen before that final “night through,” you need to. I was between a 4 and a 5 coming in, but after I “liked” every song from SITW to the end, I think the nostalgia boost is getting it to a 5. After finishing the album, I watched this video of a trained singer analyzing his vocal performance on where did you sleep last night, and her shock is palpable at the moment with about two minutes left when he shifts his style: https://youtu.be/wSxWhsWnP6o?si=5QCfyzMYvRsOudUn It’s cool to know someone who knows her stuff is also wowed by this.

Sometimes I feel like I’m stuck between two worlds. I don’t mean that in the sense that my mind is unraveling or I’m losing my grip on reality. I mean it in the sense that, having been born in 1981, I have memory what the world used to be and the reality of what it has now become. I lived a good portion of my life without the internet or cellphones, I was alive to see the Berlin Wall fall and understand what it meant, was alive for hair metal on MTV, alive when Nirvana changed the world… That’s not to say that I think everything was great then and it’s all shit now. There were shitty things back then and there are shitty things now. Shit is a constant. Maybe I should put it this way: I was 13 in 1994. Primed for rebellion, I was the exact demographic that would benefit from having a band or genre of music that “came out of nowhere” and completely upended the natural order of things, showing that there was a different way of doing things than what you had been told was “normal”. Nirvana blew the doors wide open and with them came an entire world of underground music that might have otherwise been relegated to history. I cannot overstate the impact that had on my life as a bored suburban kid. It was like being shown an alternate reality, except…it actually existed. You could be weird, you could be raw and real, you could record an album in your basement and it could mean something, because even if you didn’t always see them in your everyday life, there were other people who thought like you did. I don’t believe Kurt Cobain to be some kind of rock and roll Jesus Christ. He was more of a catalyst, responsible for an unbelievable change of tides (though his role as catalyst is even debatable, given that it was at Sonic Youth’s urging that Geffen Records even signed Nirvana in the first place, but that is a debate for another day). For better or worse, he is the face of that change. Maybe it’s part of getting old, thinking about what could’ve been and how things could’ve (or should have) turned out differently and having to square the two in order to make sense of your place in the world. Would I be the person I am today without the alternative rock explosion of the early 90’s? I don’t think so. I certainly don’t think I would be as open to unconventional sounds or ideas as I am now. So, while I’m not the Nirvana fan I once was, the impact of their music on my life is making it hard for me to not rate at least one of their albums a 5. It’s basically a straight line from them to the person I am. That is probably really fucking lame to some of you, but it’s the truth and I fear that because of how fragmented we all are in the internet age, because of our lack of a shared cultural experience, it might not happen again for others.

You know what, I thought this would be good, but it was better.

NORVANA

Heard it a million times and it's pretty good... but I gotta say AIC and PJ did the unplugged albums better. 10 points to Cobain for making the setlist mostly deep cuts though. and the bowie cover is really goodl. 4/5.

i went into this album thinking that i didn’t like nirvana. i came out of this album only liking one song, which was a david bowie cover. just not my thing

I don’t get the Nirvana hype; this is just background music to me and I can’t stand his voice on this album. I was begging for this to end. Begging for mercy. The 30 seconds of clapping at the end of each song still echoes through my ears like a terrible memory. Because having to listen to Nirvana’s MTV Unplugged in New York IS a terrible memory.

Plateau is weird.

In the past, I argued that live performances should not feature on best-of lists. MTV Unplugged in New York reminds me I was talking total rubbish. I have a vivid recollection of 5th April 1994. School was out, and I was likely annoying my brothers and playing video games. The landline rang, and my mother frantically called for me. My best friend was on the other end. "Did you hear? Kurt is dead." "Yeah, nice one! Very funny," I scoffed, unable to believe it. "No, seriously. My dad told me." This was a gut punch, a stark realisation that my heroes were mortal. "It is better to burn out than to fade away," Cobain famously quoted Neil Young in his suicide note. But Kurt did neither. Just seven months later, we were given the unexpected gift of MTV Unplugged in New York. This stripped-down performance revealed a more melodic and introspective side of Nirvana, captivating a new audience beyond the grunge scene. The acoustic setting showcased Cobain's songwriting prowess and emotional depth, making their music more accessible to those who found their heavier sound off-putting. Unplugged cemented Nirvana's legacy and lent gravitas to the acoustic format, influencing other artists to embrace more intimate performances. It proved that grunge, often dismissed as raw and abrasive, could possess a profound emotional core. Unplugged could have easily been dismissed as a cynical cash grab by MTV and/or the label, but that overlooks its genuine artistry. The band deliberately eschewed their biggest hits, opting for lesser-known tracks and unexpected covers. This, coupled with the raw emotion captured in the performance, transcends any notion of exploitation. Cobain's vocals, raw and unpolished, often breaking into a strained, emotional tone, create a unique listening experience. The inclusion of the cello added a melancholic depth, and his solo rendition of "Pennyroyal Tea" was particularly poignant. Highlights include "About a Girl," which opens the set with a deceptively light and melodic tone, showcasing Cobain's ability to craft accessible, tuneful songs without sacrificing emotional weight. "Come As You Are," one of their more recognisable hits, is transformed by the acoustic arrangement, bringing a new layer of vulnerability to the track’s already haunting lyrics. "All Apologies," with its gentle strumming and melancholic cello accompaniment, creates a sombre yet beautiful atmosphere, perfectly complementing Cobain's weary, heartfelt vocals. The cover of David Bowie's "The Man Who Sold the World" stands out as one of the most memorable moments of the set, so much so that some fans mistook it for a Nirvana original (despite Cobain stating it was a Bowie song at the start!). Cobain’s distinctive voice and the stripped-back instrumentation imbue the song with a raw, eerie quality, making it feel entirely their own. Finally, the haunting rendition of "Where Did You Sleep Last Night" provides a fitting and unforgettable conclusion. Cobain's strained, almost primal scream at the end of the performance lingers long after the final note, serving as a chilling reminder of both his talent and his inner turmoil. Did/Do I own this release? Yes, on CD. Does this release belong on the list? Yes. As one of Nirvana's final major performances, Unplugged remains a poignant symbol of the end of an era. Would this release make my personal list? Yes. Will I be listening to it again? Yes.

Every electric gone acoustic attempt after this album was trying to emulate this effortless performance, and no one has come near. Easy 5*

I was surprised at how much of this album I remembered. Not just the songs, but the feedback, the missed notes, the banter. This was such an epic album for me and a lot of people my age. Really cool to revisit it. Also, Unplugged was such an incredible thing. I would love to see it make a comeback.

I remember watching this on TV in the 90's when I was in high school. It was a big deal and everybody was talking about it back then. I still enjoy hearing it and remembering when I first heard it. This is one that I love enough to actually own.

..... One of the best CDs ever

Incredible live performance, really highlights Kurt’s voice. Loved it

I remember when this album came out, ironically this is the first time I've listened to the whole thing. Total banger. Kurt is the focal point, but all the musicians on this album are killing it. Nirvana was a great band, I wish they would've been around a lot longer.

Amazing album

Very good! Long ish and not my usual genre but I enjoyed the whole thing. One of the better live albums we’ve gotten, also recently i have heard/seen more Kurt Cobain references than usual which is a funny coincidence 9/10

It's pretty crazy how good these guys sound even when they're going for a significantly more mellow sound than what they're known for. Not usually a fan of the live albums on here, but this is really good

My favorite Nirvana album and maybe the best Unplugged performance of the series.

A classic; I watched this special when it aired and it was absolutely formative to my musical tastes.

My glorious youth!!!

The only band that understood the assignment when it came to Unplugged. As essential as any of their studio albums.

Unplugged was huge in the 90's - started by Paul McCartney and ended here - I mean, who was going to be able to top this? Nirvana's raw power is still felt even during this funereal like renditions of their own tunes and their personal favourites. I still get chills from that last sigh that Cobain gives before the last line of the last song that he ever sang on record. He sounds like he's finally made some decision and the weight of being who he was is something that will soon be in the past. Best Tracks: About a Girl; The Man Who Sold The World; Where Did You Sleep Last night?

The gold standard for live acoustic albums and probably my favorite Nirvana album. The cover of ‘Lake of Fire’ is awesome. RIP Kurt.

Loving this. Some covers. Some nirvana. All great. Last track "Where did you sleep last night" was Kurt Cobain's last recorded song before his suicide.

Wow what a great performance. I’m not the biggest Nirvana fan in the world, but this feels like such a slice of time. And the unplugged venue really showcases Cobain’s vocal strengths. This is probably the second best version of Man Who Sold the World. But it’s close.

One of the best MTV Unpluggeds ever. Nice memories from back in the day. Plus, for some reason 1001 Albums Generator threw me two Nirvana albums in a row, which is never a bad thing.

Excellent album. Great to hear a different side of the band and a very upfront and real portrayal of unique covers.

I like this album. The live aspect wasn't too intrusive. Contained some of Nirvanas best hits.

Just a classic. Interesting this threw up one I've played a thousand times for my first one, but glad it did! Graham

Pretty Frickin great. I like the little Meatpuppets suite at the end. This album really demonstrates the strength of Kurt Cobain's songwriting I think.

Classic have on vinyl. Stand out tracks: -Where did you sleep last night -The man who sold the world -Polly -Something in the way -Plateau

So as a rock guy, I am fairly familiar with the “Nirvana Unplugged” album, though have never run it all-the-way through… Was actually surprised to find that it was on the 1,001 list, as I didn’t think “live” albums were a part of it… Appears it made it because there were some covers on it, doesn’t really change that criteria for me and I would not have included it, but c’est la vie… #1 – I like the arrangements, and am glad that they used a little amplification as that was part of the secret sauce of the album – so a big plus there… #2 – After a while however, several of the songs started to sound the same the longer the album went on… Especially noticeable from “Something In The Way” (Track 9) through the Meat Puppets covers (Tracks 10, 11, 12)… #3 – As for the covers, didn’t really care for The Vaseline’s “Jesus Doesn’t Want Me For A Sunbeam” – but here are the rest – “Man Who Sold The World” – Bowie – 5-stars out of 7… “Plateau” – Meat Puppets – 4-stars out of 7… “Oh Me” – Meat Puppets – 1-star out of 7… “Lake Of Fire” – Meat Puppets – 5-stars out of 7… “Where Did You Sleep Last Night” – Lead Belly – 5-stars out of 7… #4 – Kurt’s frailty really comes through, and if I had been a band member back then, I would have been VERY concerned about his mental state and overall health, as you can tell that he’s pretty distant at best… Kind of sad that what really made this album popular, was the fact that it was released later in 1994 after Kurt’s death that spring… #5 – The best Nivana songs IMO were – “Come As You Are” – 6-stars out of 7… “Dumb” – 4-stars out of 7… “On A Plain” – 4-stars out of 7… “All Apologies” – 5-stars out of 7… The rest were just filler as far as I’m concerned… Glad I listened to the album in it’s entirety, and that I did it during the month of the 30th Anniversary of Kurt’s death… Given the historic nature of what it captured, plus the fact that there were a number of arrangements that I really enjoyed, “Nirvana Unplugged” clocks in at a solid 4 for me…

the songwriting is impeccable and this performance just lets that shine

There are few live albums that really cut through and this is one. It's a gentle and brilliant run across their catalogue and covers that just kind of works.

This album was never all that appealing to me, couldn't really understand why everybody fawned over it so much -- part of the appeal to Nirvana, to me, was the noise, the feedback, distortion, Dave Grohl abusing his drum kit. It says something that my favorite song on this is actually a Meat Puppets song. That being said, it is also a fine listen, but nothing spectacular.

Got the unplugged ball rolling. Love how raw and unedited it is. Will probably never voluntarily listen to it again.

This album is the embodiment of why I'll never pick live music over "produced". Yes, it is clear that there's a huge amount of talent there, but you know what? Producers are talented too, and they make music sound better. I don't need or want to hear people whooping appreciatively and cheering - I can enjoy the music without a live studio audience yo let me know what I should think about it. Let's hear it for studio producers. The most underrated people in music.

Not much going for this. A live set on a TV show. No great shakes. But an event happens and it gets elevated to some crazy status the performance does not merit. The unplugged moniker is simply for the franchise, it is merely the band pared down. Some songs work most do not.

MTV unplugged also, Perle der Hochkultur die uns auch 25 Jahre später noch Meisterwerke wie Marius Müller Westernhagens Greatest Fails präsentiert, neu arrangiert und mit grotesk prätentiösem Wagenrad auf dem Kopf. Um den Hals hätte ich auch gut gefunden, als Analogie zu dem dicken Nagel den dieses „Konzert“ hier in Kurt Cobains Sarg geschlagen hat. Die Seuche der massenfabrizierten sogenannten Authentizität brach Anfang der 90er über die Welt, und „MTV Unplugged“ war der erste große Fieberschub. Gar nichts war da handgemacht und weniger noch von Herzen, das war und ist fucking Marketing, Kerzenschein aus Halogen und Verstärker im Souffleusenkasten. Konsequent nur, dass es ab da immer schneller immer weiter abwärts ging. MTV Real World, RTL Big Brother, die DFB National MANNSCHAFT powered by Coca Cola, Michael Wendler, Marc Zuckerberg und Donald Trump. Es. Ist. Nicht. Auszuhalten. Suizid wegen Kein Bock mehr auf all die Phonies, Speichellecker und Arschgeigen turned Grungeionistas. So sitzt Kurt nun da in diesem Sony-Studio, depressiv, auf Entzug und dann auch noch Ärger wegen Meat Puppets. Singt seine Lieder und klagt sie, schön, dringlich, unheimlich sogar und zeigt dieser ganzen Welt, was er von ihr hält: nichts. Sie tut ihm weh, er hält es nicht mehr aus, und Schuld sind die ganzen Wixer von MTV und von Sony. Die ihm hier diese vorgezogene Begräbnisfeier hingestellt haben, garniert mit weißen Lilien und schwarzen Kerzen auf dass sich die Platte achtfach Platin verkaufe; mit irgendwelchen Claqueuren im „Publikum“ deren hohle Ergriffenheit ja selbst auf Platte kaum auszuhalten ist. Die Idee, einer dreckigen Punkband aus Sellout-Gründen die Verzerrer wegzunehmen ist keinen Deut besser als eine Metalband die sich für Wagner hält und ein Symphonieorchester auf die Bühne holt. Und kann natürlich auch keinen Zehntelpunkt mehr bekommen, egal wie beeindruckend die Band das tatsächlich umsetzt. Here‘s to you, Reality Bites.

it’s an automatic 5/5 for me. Such a raw, beautiful set. заебумба.

So amazing that this was a live recording. Second only to Frampton Comes Alive.

Confession time: I prefer the bowie version of the man who sold the world That doesn’t take away from this album though it’s brilliant a consistent stack of great nirvana, one weird memory was the first time I listened to it my bluetooth or Spotify idk was having problems by the time it got to plateau and that intro repeated again and again. After this I’m tempted to play the meat puppets album because 3 songs in a row from it are on here. And when going on about covers Jesus don’t want me for a sunbeam is great. I wish when people were doing covers they went more to the previously obscure like nirvana did, thats what makes it great. Then obviously you have the songs actually made by nirvana all the slower numbers fit like a glove, I really like pennyroyal tea and on a plain in general so any version of them would impress me. And about a girl and come as you are are both great to open it with. 5/5

Kurt is daddy Sad boi hourz 5/5

fantastic album, really good covers in this set. nirvana always did covers well. i love the raw emotion and rasp in kurt's voice

These are the definitive versions of these songs, in my opinion ... the covers (Bowie, the Meat Puppets, the Vaselines) and the originals. Like a lot of 90s kids, my parents didn't understand grunge. But they could grasp the musical genius of this album. This is the only Unplugged, as far as I can tell, too, that wasn't just a parade of the band's hits. "Come As You Are" was obviously a monster Nirvana track, but the fact that Kurt, Krist and Dave didn't do "Smells Like Teen Spirit" or "Heart-Shaped Box" is so quintessentially Nirvana. Also, who doesn't love some good accordion playing?

Listened to many times and one of my favourite bands. Love it!

I can't judge this objectively. Essential listening from my impressionable youth. Great versions of hits coupled with excellent covers, serving as a gateway to other artists. Frequently maudlin but also surprisingly upbeat. Instantly recognisable, iconic, timeless (I said I can't be objective) Five stars.

CLASSIC album, best Nirvana album, Top 50 all-time albums...

Super solid live album, even more considering the (mostly) acoustic format - yeah, there are some guitar pedals and whatnot, but hey, wait… I can’t complain! Since I can’t use decimals I’ll round up, from 4.5 to 5, and I don’t care if anyone disagrees, much like they wouldn’t either. Highlights: `About A Girl`, `Dumb`, `Pennyroyal Tea`, `Something in The Way`, `Where Did You Sleep Last Night` Skippable: `Oh me` 1. About A Girl - Live - 3:38 very cool to see it included in the set, even more as the gig opener. I really like the vocal performance on this one. 2. Come As You Are - Live - 4:13 I never really liked this song much, it’s ok but overhyped imo. I kinda like the small imperfections of this live performance though, somehow it makes it more real/true to me. 3. Jesus Doesn't Want Me For A Sunbeam - Live - 4:37 I totally forgot this song existed/was played and even more that there’s an accordion being played (by Krist if I can trust my memory). the cello adds a bit of texture to the mix, although a bit distant in the mix. 4. The Man Who Sold The World - Live - 4:21 Gotta say I’m young enough to have heard this version before the original by Bowie, but I can’t ever say it’s better than the original. still a great rendition and even the mistakes add up to its raw nature, which is what make this whole performance remarkable to me. 5. Pennyroyal Tea - Live - 3:40 simultaneously haunting and provoking. not to repeat the same argument over and over again, but the raw, completely stripped down version of this song makes it much more powerful. the poignancy of those voice cracks really reveals that, even being the only one playing a song on the stage, at its very center there is only emptiness. 6. Dumb - Live - 2:52 really enjoy the dynamics on this one. cool bass tone, but the highlight on this one for me is definitely the cello, dramatic and intriguing. great song and great performance. 7. Polly - Live - 3:16 an iconic song with very disturbing lyrics that were intentionally vivid to point out this hideous horridness which is unfortunately a frequent issue all around the world. the fact that they played this song after “Dumb” weakens it though, mostly due to the similar riff/chord progression and thus musical repetitiveness. the track itself sounds good, but I think it would have been better if it was somewhere else in the setlist. 8. On A Plain - Live - 3:44 it is now time to make it unclear, what the hell am I trying to say? seriously though, cool riffs and vocals, but surely gotta say the bass line on this one was what grabbed my attention this time 9. Something In The Way - Live - 4:01 great version of an epic song, what else can be said? well, I’ll just highlight the cello again bc why not? 10. Plateau - Live - 3:38 It’s a bit off, but my music taste is often target as quite strange, so no surprise that I enjoy this one as well. realize now that I’ve never heard the original song before, gonna check it out after I finish listening this album for the second time since I begin writing this review. 11. Oh Me - Live - 3:26 this one might be the one I care the least about of the set. nothing wrong but also wouldn’t highlight it among the rest of the setlist. yet another song to check out the original version afterwards. 12. Lake Of Fire - Live - 2:55 really like the riff and the vibe. what impresses the most about the vocals on this song is that its key is clearly too high for Kurt to sing comfortably, but he manages to deliver it in a way that sound very fitting for the gig format and musical context. at this point I realize I will have to listen to the whole Meat Puppet’s album and probably get familiar with their discography. 13. All Apologies - Live - 4:23 oh yeah, I love the cello! and the vocal harmonies sound pretty cool as well. the drums on the original version sound huge and powerful, and I kinda miss that energy when I listen to this version, and maybe a bit of the chaotic distorted sounds that make the original so unique. the clear take on this one showcases a different perspective though, so instead of questioning it I guess I’ll just be glad for being able to listen to both. 14. Where Did You Sleep Last Night - Live - 5:06 the western vibe on this one is super cool, but what makes this track special for me is the harsh vocals on the last 2 minutes of the song, very aggressive, razor-sharp and intense vocals delivering a remarkable finale for a live performance that will be talked about for many years to come.

Only album of theirs that I even consider to listen too. In my teenage heyday I was in step, but as I grow older, the mood of rebellion has shifted. True craftsmanship in their form on this album. Unplugged doesn’t not get any better than this.

My heart

Love it.

Very good album. It was really cool to hear Nirvana perform stripped down versions of their songs and several covers. I thought it was ironic that Cobain felt like he was as going to blow it but then crushes it by making Bowie’s “The Man Who Sold The World” his own. It might be the best live album ever.

So much has been written about this album already that there is no point doing any form of deep generic review. So this is a personal reflection on my ~25 years with this record. I think I bought this on CD at the record shop on the upper level of Reading's Broad Street Mall in roughly 2001. I think this was the last Nirvana album I bought, sometime after Incesticide, and was perhaps one of only 20 albums I owned at the time. This music was pivotal for me as it kickstarted my "heavy rock to acoustic" transition period (circa 2001-2004). During that era, this was on heavy rotation alongside my (brand new!) acoustic guitar and the 'playalong' guitar chord book. Listening today, in 2025, there is still so much that makes this album. The cello. The drumming. The layers of guitars. And of course the songs themselves. Something I was never able to do back in the early 2000s was to watch the videos. These are a revelation. Production mysteries are revealed, for example, the 'unplugged' lie; we see the dual pickups on Kurt's guitar which give the distinctive lead guitar sound e.g. on "Man Who Sold the World". What I thought was cello on "Jesus Don't Want me for a Sunbeam" is in fact an accordion. All the musicians look disconcertingly young, full of nervous energy. We see Dave's softly-softly drumming and the lucky people in the audience who perhaps had no idea what they are witnessing. So after all these years, I still love this album. But when it comes to scores, the big question is: Is this album a 5 or a 6? The thing which hangs over the decision for me is Kurt's vocals. Do his breaking high notes (e.g. on "Pennyroyal Tea") and his lazy enunciation ("I'm not that thlum") work in this acoustic setting? Or are they really best suited to layering over distorted guitars and heavy drums, In Utero style? After re-re-listening I think this album works because of, not in spite of, his vocals. If it was George Michael on vox with silky smooth perfection, this wouldn't be half the album it is (with no disrespect to George). No song demonstrates this better, in my opinion, than "On a Plain". Going from the verses to "...Love mySELF" is the key vocal-breaking hook. So it's a clear 6. Maybe 5.8 because Pennyroyal Tea is a bit of a drag. Best tracks (with a * by the ones which I would walk through a house fire to rescue): About a Girl Come as You Are* The Man Who Sold the World* Dumb Something in the Way Lake of Fire* All Apologies Worst tracks: Pennyroyal Tea

depressing

Love this album. Rough, painful vocals juxtaposed with soft acoustics in a beautiful cacophony. No song should be skipped. Has to be one of the best live albums ever recorded. There’s a moment right before the final chorus of the last song. There’s a brief silence where you hear Kurt Cobain take a deep breath like he’s relieved he got through it and it’s the coolest thing ever.

Jesus doesn't want me for a sunbeam. He wants me for a Nirvana fan.

What can I say about this album that I haven't already said before? Its one of my all time favorite records. I don't know if there is another album more deserving than this one to be on this list. Especially given the fact that Kurt Cobain was certainly never trying to land on any sort of list. I've been listening to since album since I was probably 13 years old. I love every song on it. No skips. Sure, there are songs that I love more than others, but this is one that when I look at the track listings, I get excited for what's next. So often when I listen to this (which is for sure a few times every year) I think to myself "this one is my favorite" and then another songs starts and I have the same thought. What I love is how this so beautifully highlights everything that Nirvana was good at, but it's done in a way that was somewhat outside their typical medium. How does a band from Seattle that is towing the line between Hardcore and coming up with their own genre play a song as beautiful as "Oh Me" and "All Apologies" or as weird as "Plateau" or "Lake of Fire?" What genre is this? Is this even punk? Its acoustic, but it's certainly not folk or is it? Which is why I think this is such a perfect reflection of their range their catalogue. They really were one of the best fusion acts of all time. But in doing so they created something entirely new and unique. Grunge. In some ways this is a perfect double feature of yesterday's Neil Young live album. Its raw, edgy, and grungy. While also being sentimental, emotional, self-reflective (and deprecating) and even a bit humorous. I could listen to this album at any given time and enjoy it. I could start at the end, middle or beginning and I wouldn't skip the next song. This might be a perfect album.

cool

Having previously complained about live albums on this list, Nirvana's Unplugged is pretty much the perfect way to do it. Not just a greatest hits compilation, they chose a set list that suited the occasion and they're incredible renditions. The acoustic versions add something fresh that you don't get just listening to the studio tracks, which makes it a worthwhile live recording. I could listen to this endlessly

Pros: beautiful performances, incredible set list, all the pure, raw talent of Nirvana—from Kurt’s voice, to Dave’s unbelievable musicianship, from the against-the-grain choices to the dynamics and sensitivity of the individual performances—on vivid, aching display. Just a perfect live album capturing the band in an entirely unexpected, naked way. A breathtaking masterpiece. Cons: not a single thing.

The idea that Nirvana of all artists would deliver the greatest Unplugged performance would seem ludicrous at the time - alt rock noise architects going acoustic?! But that is exactly what happened. Nirvana simultaneously told their origin story and established themselves as the best band of the 90s in this performance, with help from their idols the Meat Puppets. Stick around for the haunting closer, a cover of Leadbelly’s “Where Did You Sleep Last Night”. Never was Kurt’s emotional anguish put on display on stage more clearly.

The Man Who Sold The World is such a great song and Kurt's voice is particularly haunting on it. This was a transformational album for many of us who grew up during this time.

It's peoples reactions to this album that really shows its power. For many the acoustic versions of their songs are their favourites. For most the cover songs have become the definitive versions.

Nirvanas “MTV Unplugged in New York” ist ein Meisterwerk, das die rohe Energie und emotionale Tiefe der Band in einem intimen, akustischen Setting einfängt. Aufgenommen am 18. November 1993 in den Sony Music Studios in New York, ist eines der besten Live-Alben aller Zeiten. Die Zusammenarbeit zwischen Nirvana und MTV für die “Unplugged”-Reihe war eine perfekte Symbiose. MTV Unplugged bot Künstlern die Möglichkeit, ihre Musik in einem akustischen Format zu präsentieren, was oft zu überraschenden und tiefgründigen Interpretationen führte. Für Nirvana, bekannt für ihren rauen Grunge-Sound, war dies eine Gelegenheit, ihre musikalische Vielseitigkeit und emotionale Tiefe zu zeigen. Das Album enthält sowohl bekannte Hits wie “Come as You Are” als auch weniger bekannte Stücke und Coverversionen, darunter David Bowies “The Man Who Sold the World” und Leadbellys "Where Did You Sleep Last Night". Besonders bemerkenswert ist die Performance von “All Apologies” und “About a Girl”, die in diesem akustischen Rahmen eine neue, eindringliche Qualität erhalten. Das Album zeigt Nirvana von einer anderen, verletzlicheren Seite und hebt die lyrische und musikalische Tiefe der Band hervor. Die Symbiose zwischen Nirvanas Rockmusik und dem akustischen Konzept von MTV Unplugged schafft ein einzigartiges und unvergessliches Hörerlebnis 😀😀.

Amazing album, lots of great covers. Originals are spot on. Something magical about this performance in the PINES, IN THE PINES!

MTV Unplugged In New York has got to be one of the best live albums i have ever listened to. I find it quite crazy how well Nirvana could translate their heavy, grungy sound into a more acoustic live show. The heaviness was not often there but still could come out at points where it did sound great. The recording quality was also top notch and i think that Kurt Cobain's more deadpan stage presence was a nice change of pace from all the really extravagant performers from other live shows (not that i dislike those) during my time listening to this album, i was gravitating between a 4 or a 5 for this album but with enough thinking, i decided to give this one a 5. Best Song: Where Did You Sleep Last Night Worst Song: Plateau

Amazing performance, quite intimate, and an excelent album. Masterpiece ;-)

Best live album ever!

First Nirvana album I ever owned(cassette) and first live album as well. Kurt Cobain’s voice, the stripped down sound, the song choices all come together for a perfect album. I listened to my cassette on unending repeat and I could likely do the same now. Truly a must listen for me and influential on my musical taste going forward.

Nothing bad to say

one of my favorite live albums by one of my favorite bands fav tracks: the man who sold the world, pennyroyal tea, dumb, all apologies, where did you sleep last night

I somehow have never listened to this album and it’s entirety and it’s really well known for a reason. Such a quietly beautiful snapshot of a point in time before it all changed.

The best Nirvana album by some distance

# Album Name: MTV Unplugged In New York # Artist: Nirvana # Rating: 5/5 # Comments: Wow, what an album. Back to back amazing acoustic driven songs. The band is so tight on this show. Kurts voice is gritty but powerful. This is such a good acoustic album with several great covers thrown into the mix. Some of the songs actually make the hairs stand on my arm. Unreal. # Top Tunes: all of em. # Would I listen to it again? Definitely. I think ive listened to it 4 times since it popped up on the list.