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.

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.

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!

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 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.

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.

No thank you

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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, though he was a catalyst, responsible for an unbelievable change of tides (His role as catalyst is even debatable, however. 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 and because of our lack of a shared cultural experience, it might not happen again for others.

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+

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.

Obviously y'all know this one. Sad to say, but the first Nirvana album I really appreciated at the time. Impact so substantial that several younger generations know a relatively-obscure Bowie track backwards, and "Meat Puppets II" appears on this list. The performance is pretty good too..

Hell yeah 🤙

A few days ago (at the time of this writing), Nirvana reunited for a benefit show for the people affected by the 2025 LA fires. In place of Kurt Cobain was a lineup of female vocalists, including St Vincent, Kim Gordon and Joan Jett. It's universally accepted that Cobain would have loved that. The performce on MTV's Unplugged holds up as an amazing album, three decades on. The MTV show itself was largely forgettable, apart from this show. Big name bands playing to a small audience (if I remember correctly, most music industry people) acoustic (more or less) versions of all of their hits. Nothing wrong with it, aside from being a bit gimmicky. Nirvana didn't really belong on the show, but they were massively popular at the time and it was a no-brainer for the network's programming department. High energy noisy grunge stripped down to its bare bones would surely have gotten viewers. But Nirvana weren't ones to follow the formulas. The producers were completely confused by the lack of well-known singles. No "Smells Like Teen Spirit", no "Heart Shaped Box". Aside from "Come As You Are" and "All Apologies", all but the most devoted fans might have scratched their heads at the song selection. The room was staged to resemble a funeral, in sharp contrast to the usual lively enviroment there. Add in some obscure covers as well. Even the David Bowie one was a fairly deep cut (later to be made famous again by this very performance). Further frustrating MTV executives was the choice of guest stars. Given their fame, most artists would have leapt at the chance to perform with Cobain and company for a live television performance. Instead, Cobain used the opportunity to sneak his obscure friends the Meat Puppets onto a prime time show. "Unplugged" more than any other album, really showed the potential that Nirvana had. If Kurt Cobain was still around, we can only imagine where his music might have gone next, but we get a very good hint here. There's a narrative of increasingly noisy grunge and experimental rock from "Bleach" through "In Utero". But the real punk spirit isn't about being loud and fast. It's about subverting expectations and avoiding marketability when it starts to feel too predictable. There were clearly a lot of interesting ideas floating around Cobain's head. Unfortunately, there were also too many dark ones which would eventually win out. Even this performance nearly didn't happen, as he'd been suffering from bounds of depression and had recently been in too difficult a space to perform. But he did, and it ended up being a final gift to fans, that showed just what he was capable of. If only he'd stayed with us longer to see what was next.

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.

Possibly the best thing Nirvana recorded.

Good album. Prefer their "plugged" versions of the songs.

Quality songwriting and great choice of covers. For a band so loud and shouty it's good to see them in this setting.

Revisiting past favorites and revising established classics, can't go wrong with this performance.

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.

Too polite, though his voice is as strong as it ever was and the covers are generous to the originals, dutiful, stronger in this context than most of the originals. Falls short for me, but that has at least a little to do with my prejudices of the time lingering on: Nirvana were a band I liked, but I preferred their antecedents, the weirdos. I’ll save the reassessment for when the other two turn up.

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 to 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.

The best unplugged album. My favorite versions of some of these songs. So much expression in Kurt’s voice. I like most of their covers better than the originals too.

5 - great, obviously

a classic for a reason

A chilling and unforgettable goodbye. Still how I first think of their live performance, which is a weird reality. I never saw them live in person and must have listened to this record 100 times.

Amazing. But it’s right up my alley of music taste so I could be biased

Great album

Listened to this when Batman came out lol I still like this album more than anything else nirvana put out 9/10

This album is responsible for literally changing my "direction" with music. This album is responsible for me picking up a guitar. This album changed my life, in 1994. It's my "wake up and drive" album over early, long road trips. What’s wild is they unplugged and still hit harder than bands at full blast. These song versions feel lived-in, like the songs got older and sadder, but more beautiful. It's magical. I've spun this album 1001 times, and I'll spin it 1001 more. Spins: All Day Playlist Additions: - Album

Unexpectedly better than I thought it would be for an unplugged album. Doing lesser known songs and covers was a great direction.

Only one dud on this album for me, the rest are absolute bangers. I always forget how much I love Nirvana - nothing like a little punk to start my morning.

MTV unplugged series is awesome, Nirvana's showcase is no exception. Hard to find a song to dislike on this album. It is darn near perfect!

Outstanding.

Another album that everyone knows of. Maybe you haven’t listened to it so I’m telling you to listen to it. It’s raw and perfect in its own imperfect assembly. A generation grew up to this album and we are still awesome to this day. Choice cut: Man Who Sold the World

Misschien is het een stukje nostalgie naar mijn muzikale ontdekkingsreis tijdens mijn tienerjaren waar dit album een belangrijke rol in speelde. Wat een weergaloos kwetsbare plaat. Nirvana op z'n best. Paar jaar podium-ervaring maar Kurt Cobain zingt echt met volle emotie de nummers en het publiek is muisstil. Raakte mij nu weer. En in plaats van bas, gitaar en drums worden de nummers akoestisch gespeeld en soms aangekleed met strijkers (zoals in Dumb). Ronduit prachtig. Cobain zou niet veel later zichzelf door de kop schieten met een shotgun, wat deze show natuurlijk nog veel meer lading geeft. 9/10 Highlights Polly Something in the Way Where Did You Sleep Last Night?

Sindssygt live album, det bedste fra Nirvana

I know this is a pretty revered live album, but I've never actually listened to it all the way through. This is part of the "MTV Unplugged" TV series, which has given us plenty of personal & live/acoustic performances of various artists since the 90s. What makes this particular one unique is the fact that this performance is not technically fully acoustic (some electric amplification, whoop-de-whoop) and the group opted to play more of their lesser known material and throw in some covers too (Bowie, Meat Puppets, Vaselines to name a few). The entire 14 song performance was also apparently filmed in one take, which is mighty impressive in itself. You probably won't find a cleaner live recording out there and to be honest, I think a few of the tracks on this live set surpass their original recordings.

My absolute favorite band from ages 12-19 and the first band that I truly became obsessed with. In typical Nirvana fashion, they railed against MTV's play-the-hits-but-acoustic formula and avoid playing almost any of the canonized hits, with exception of “Come As You Are", and instead, including covers of their influences. This was my introduction to the Meat Puppets, the Vaselines, David Bowie, and Lead Belly. Cobain's willingness to share his favorites really struck me, and now it's fair to say that his music taste has greatly influenced my own. This is a snapshot of the band at the peak of their powers. Released months after Kurt Cobain's untimely passing, the stripped down format and elegant staging makes this performance feel like a wake, giving fans an opportunity to mourn. Easiest 5-star I've given so far.

One of the best live albums ever. Haunting

Unplugged in New York is the only album I have ever heard that has made me question if I even have any business listening to it. I wasn't expecting that. The music is great, let's get that out of the way. No surprise there. It's Nirvana at their very best which is essentially as good as music got in the 1990s. I personally like Oasis better, but Nirvana is the far better band - Nirvana is just a lot less fun to listen to especially this album and this might change as I get older and experience more of life and more of the world but as a 23-year-old girl who is somewhat privileged & somewhat sheltered - I don't often play Nirvana and Unplugged in New York reminds me as to why. It's just too much. It's ugly and beautiful, it's as pure as any record that I have ever heard, it's harsh & soft as rain, it makes you happy to be human, but it also reveals just how fucking dangerous it is & how much you have to dumb everything down to fully enjoy the experience at least in my opinion. It makes me feel and think too much. It floors me and lifts me at the same time. Kurt Cobain died at 27 just four years older than I'm right now but his voice sounds as old as sin and if you didn't know better you would think that he somehow lived several lifetimes in those 27 years. Someday Nirvana will be the soundtrack to my life and that scares the shit out of me and excites me in endless ways, some good, some bad. Some day.

100/5 stars. My favorite Nirvana album.

not perfect at all but very iconic

One of the best

I said about another live album that they should only be included in this list if it really captures something spectacular. This album is absolutely that. Even if you don't like Nirvana, this has to be one of the greatest live albums of all time. I know there was a whole slew of the MTV Unplugged shows, but this is by far the best. I think what you see from this record is that everyone in Nirvana were actually very good musicians and I don't think the majority of people would think of them that way. And normally I wouldn't praise an album on this list for having so many covers but in this case it really makes it better. Not that the originals are bad or that they couldn't have achieved the same thing had they just stuck to Nirvana songs, but the choices of covers they made were perfect. I mean holy hell Where Did You Sleep Last Night is one of the greatest recordings ever. Covering Bowie is always a bold move. And I love that they left in a lot of the banter between songs, it makes it feel like a super honest and real record. I mean, really, you can't say enough good things about this album. 5/5

Unplugged In New York - Nirvana favourites: Man Who Sold the World, On a Plain, Lake of Fire, Where Did You Sleep Last Night least favourite: None

Flawless. How can you not love it? Such a wonderfully considered session, not just Nirvana's greatest hits but the songs that would play best to the room. Meat Puppets, Man Who Sold the World, so many moments in one set. For a band that was so influential to have one of the biggest unplugged moments of all time is truly iconic.

What are they tuning, a harp?

Well this has placed me in a bit of a quandary. I have previously been vocal about my displeasure of live albums being in this list however this is such a great album I may have to make an exception here. I’m not sure what it is but maybe it’s because it doesn’t feel like your usual live album and all the songs feel like they have extra meaning played in the way they are. You can hear Kurt’s vocals and actually how good a singer he was when the songs are stripped back in this way. You can ‘feel’ the songs in a different way. I mean how can it not get 5 stars, it’s such a great listen.

Well I guess I am going to break all of my rules on ratings for this one as it is a live album, featuring versions of already released songs, and cover versions! But come on, it’s Nirvana, and it’s superb! A lot of the praise for this album comes because of the timing of the performance and its later release around the death of Kurt. It highlights his superb songwriting talent, guitar performance and haunting vocals that spotlight a fragility which seems very poignant following his death. Perhaps the genius of this album is the selection of songs that work so well in this format. In particular About A Girl and Something In The Way are perfect and all of the covers especially Jesus and the excellent Man Who Sold The World. In criticism, I remember at the time that it seemed a bit of a sell out sucking up to MTV, and a couple of the tracks don’t work. I would also suggest that Mark Lanegan’s version of Where Did You Sleep is better.