Reviews (page 6 of 16)
its good but i dont really fw live versions
3.5/5
Day 5 of the 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die with @marmeu. I honestly was expecting more. Just from how highly praised it is being one of the highest rated live albums of all time, but to be fair, I don't have much experience with live albums OR Nirvana. I liked the folk songs on this like Polly by far the most out of any track on this record. All the others seem so like, solid but a bit boring at the same time? Like I didn't LOVE it, but I still liked it quite a bit, this doesn't have a standout track like Birth Of The Cool by Miles Davis had (Move), But it certainly had better consistency, so I'm giving it one more point then the jazz album, although this will probably change at some point if I ever decide to relisten to either, which probably won't be anytime soon. Overall great record, doesn't make me the most eager for more nirvana, but still great, not amazing. 86/100
It feels like this album started the 90s trend for MTV Unplugged sessions. I can see why, the audience interaction from the enigmatic Kurt Cobain makes this album feel personal and a bit raw.
surprisingly i quite enjoyed it!!
raw, poignant, charming. still holds up. last song is haunting in context.
not generally my taste in music but really great and raw performances that i will happily listen to! favs! - about a girl - the man who sold the world - polly
One of the best love performances ever. Flawless 5/5
bof...sounds like amateurs
Its pretty good i kinda like it
enjoyed it more than i thought i would!
This is a 5 all day every day
- all in one take (wtf) how does this sound so good - super raw - i want Kurt’s sweater collection
I like how they played every song after one another without having to tune in between :) pretty cool :)
Þessi nýtur góðs af nostalgíunni. Kurt Cobain nýtur sín síðan vel svona á rólegu nótunum. Ég naut þess að hlusta og finna tilfinninguna og tregann í lögunum.
🥞
Still don’t quite get the adulation for this album. Very good but not the perfection that some claim
Banger. 4/5
I remember watching this when it aired live on MTV. It really changed the public perception of Nirvana.
December 10, 2025 Album #830: MTV Unplugged in New York by Nirvana Genre: Alternative Rock, Acoustic Rock, Folk Rock Being one of the most iconic live performances of all time, I think it’s safe to say that Nirvana’s MTV Unplugged session would make for a very good live album. I’ve watched the performance before, so I didn’t mind giving the live album a listen. And what do you know, it really is a very good live album, haha. There’s so many good cuts off of this thing. Kurt Cobain really sets his stage presence in the opener, *About A Girl*. It sets the tone of the live set so wonderfully. The band’s Cobain’s performance is so iconic and charismatic, and that shows throughout the set. Whether it be on the superb and catchy Bowie cover, *The Man Who Sold The World*, the melancholic and moody *Dumb* with its haunting cello, the minimalist renditions of *Penny Royaltea* and *Polly*, the assortment of Meat Puppets covers, and many more songs. There’s so many emotionally resonant songs to be found here. The band really showcases their musical abilities here. The closer though, the cover of *Where Did You Sleep Last Night*, is absolutely legendary. It’s so coldly intimate and feels so personal and emotional. It’s my favorite song here out of many great songs by a long shot. As I said, Nirvana’s *MTV Unplugged in New York* is a legendary performance. I highly recommend watching it and giving this a listen. I’m very happy that I revisited it today, it’s really something, haha. Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️, Strong 8 to a Light 9 Favorite Tracks: About A Girl, Come As You Are, The Man Who Sold The World, Dumb, Polly, On A Plain, Something In the Way, Oh, Me , Lake of Fire, All Apologies, Where Did You Sleep Last Night
live album ❌ unique cover ✔️ 2/5 and don't blow your top off about it
2/3. Some really good songs on here, especially Jesus Doesn't Want Me For A Sunbeam, Man Who Sold the World, and Plateau. Cool to hear live versions of hits like Come As You Are and All Apologies too. Interesting to hear so many covers, gives an idea of the kind of music they were into. Kurt's singing is a bit hard to understand sometimes (mumbling), but his voice sounds good and he the covers let him show some range. Fun album, would recommend.
well i already know i love this one and today, wed morning 12/10/25 AD, i wanted a 90s album. was actually listening to nirvana yesterday too so why not!
I don't personally care for Nirvana's sound, but I can respect them as artists and the role they played in music history. Enjoyed listening to this album from a historical perspective.
This album can do no wrong in my eyes. From the opening quip about most people not owning Bleach, to the closing screams of Where Did You Sleep Last Night?, these tracks take me on a journey back to my 20s.
Bra album. Foretrekker nok ikk live men
Ich erinnere mich an meinen Bruder und seinen Geburtstag, als er das Album als Geschenk bekam.
Kurt cobain is funny
I'm not a huge Nirvana fan per se but this album is one that I listen to often and really enjoy,
i don't like listening to live music, so that's a bummer for this album. definitely a bummer recording of something in the way. still a solid listen, impressive vocals and great throughlines. favorite song: the Man Who Sold the World
Most of the live versions add some degree of uniqueness, giving this live album a rare fresh spin instead of just "relive a concert"
As a Nirvana album, it’s probably in the top 3 live albums for me but doesn’t rank higher than live at Reading. The thing I hate about this album, although having nothing to do with the album itself, is the reason why I don’t listen to it. 15 years ago when it was introduced to me, or even just now on the internet, you couldn’t mention this album without being told that this is the best MTV unplugged album and that the Bowie cover is better than the original. It pisses me off to no end because it should be a music fan’s gateway to other unplugged albums or to Bowie’s early albums. But no, I have to be lectured by 13 years olds that Nirvana is the best at everything when they’re either regurgitating what they read online or can’t be bothered listening to other albums. Well how about this? The Alice in Chains unplugged album is a much better album and the Bowie cover is shit compared to the original track. This album gets boring just as Sunbeam starts.
Unreal. One of the best unplugged ever.
So special to have this much banter on the record. The best part to me was when Kurt says “I guarantee you I will screw this song up” and then delivers one of the greatest covers in history.
Nirvana was big when I was young. I was even a contrarian then. I didn’t like nirvana. I started understanding they were good from the Batman. Something is hard to listen to while walking and not thinking your Batman. After listening to the album I watched it on YouTube. This is a masterpiece, I’m excited to listen to a full nirvana studio album but I’ll wait till this app tells me to. Stand out songs Something The man who sold the world
kind of the opposite of what you think of when you think nirvana, this album is acoustic, fragile, depressed. especially poignant because it was released after kurt's death, which i think gives it an added layer of melancholy. but it is a great performance, and it's nice to hear how versatile nirvana was as a band, as they take the "unplugged" format and really make it work with their music.
I like the batman song
The background is really interesting, and its crazy to watch the live recording and see how young they all were. Not my cup of tea though, droning and very same-y.
Watched the whole special while bombed last night - upsetting!!! Watching a dead man perform such a somber set almost distracts from the fact that this is the height of an excellent live band playing a truly psychotic setlist so well it hurts. Lead Belly x Meat Puppets x Vasolines covers are just incredible, and the actual Nirvana songs they play work. Praise be to Kurt’s little hidden amp
Probably then at their height.
This brings back so many memories. I remember watching it live on tv, it was so different from anything I’ve heard from nirvana then. Kurt didn’t care to play the hits, he wanted to expose people to artists he loved, and have fun.
This is the first live album I’ve ever listened to. It also happens to be one of the best ever live albums, per everyone ever. This album is so peak. I love Nirvana so much, and hearing people 30 years ago in the live audience love the music as much as I do is so special. Everyone performance is so good. God I love Kurt so much, rest in paradise. But I also love Krist and Dave’s performance on this live show. Perfect album, the live renditions of the songs are different from the studio album recordings, but still they’re super special. I’m pretty sure this was the best ever live album for me to start with, and I’m glad I did. 10/10 perfection.
6/10
There is zero way I can be unbiased about this album. I grew up listening to Nirvana in the 90s in Seattle after Cobain died. Anything less then 5 stars would be an insult to younger me.
Ça pue un peu moins la trans que les autres albums studio
Nirvana without the depth of electric sound doesn't work as well for me as for some others.
classic, no bad songs.
No individual song that really jumped off the page for me (Sunbeam probably closest to that) but Cobain’s a great vocalist and I like the bass enough to have this on the 3/4 border
The best live album on this list so far and it's not even close. All the tracks stripped down to bare acoustic fits so well that it's easy to forget that they weren't originally recorded this way. The live aspect accents the recording rather than detracting. You get small glimpses into the personality and humanity of each band member in between tracks. Tons of emotion, incredible artistry.
Get that downtuned acoustic guitar, man! *vocal fry for days* I can see how "I'm going where the cold wind blows" could be an epic 'last lyric" to perform on an album, if Kurt Cobain had intended it to end that way... Pretty good stuff though
Iconic
Surprisingly good but still not big on nirvana's sound
Classic. Little overplayed with obvious flaws. Covers are better than their own songs, so good choice. Fav: Jesus don't want me for a sunbeam
A cultural classic.
So well known and well thought of. Love the 3 songs with the meat puppets, incredibly odd collab. Sometimes the story behind something and the aftermath just add to the legacy so it’s a 5
New nirvana for me this. Enjoyably soft
Totally mellow / exceptional songs
Nostalgi. Men selv uden den velkendte faktor er det et virkelig godt album.
I didn't need to listen to this to review it. I listened to this because I wanted to. This is, in my mind, the best of the unplugged albums. The fact that it was done in one take speaks to the quality of the band. This is the easiest five stars that I've given so far
It's just so good
Grunge meets folk! Kurt's voice was made for this style of music, it is very haunting. Nirvana selected great songs to use for this show, one of the greatest live albums of all time
This is a top 20 album for me. Plateau on repeat
Yeah, it's perfect music.
Stripped down mostly acoustic set that is just genuinely pheonomenal. All the Nirvana live stuff is great, this is no exception and it's mostly just Cobain playing covers of songs he really likes. It's a great switch up. Releasing it shortly after Cobain's suicide gives the album this haunting quality since the energy that's present in their albums and dring thier usually rambunctous live shows is consciously absent. I think there was generally a sense that Cobain wanted to move away from the harder rock elements after In Utero and MTV Unplugged is a good glimpse into what that project may have looked like. It looked awesome. Favorite Tracks: About A Girl, Dumb, Plateau, Lake of Fire, On a Plain
I bought this album when it came out when I was in college.
Class act
Another live album. Oh joy. Oh day of great mirth and whatever the smart sounding antonym of lamentation is. Celebration I suppose. That’s not that old-timey sounding. If “Kool and the Gang” have said it, it probably doesn’t appear in “Paradise Lost.” Well these reviews might not be Paradise, but they’re certainly a lost cause. Unplug that amp and let’s get pretentious. About a Girl - “most people don’t have this album.” Classic. Only thing more pretentious than being at this acoustic Nirvana concert in New York is the singer himself. What a guy. Decent song, but we’re missing the amps so far. Come as You Are - I’m pretty sure there is an amp there pal. And I can play this one! What a talent. What a dynamo of musical expression I am. We still need distortion and a touch o’ chaos. Still a good riff, good song, but I’m missing something here. As late comedian John Pinette said about gluten-free food, “needs gluten.” Jesus Doesn’t Want Me For a Sunbeam - Is this a reference to the Vaselines? Oh yes I wrote that before I heard the intro. Hell yeah. This is cool. Vaselines are an interesting group and this works in the live setting. The Man Who Sold the World - I think this is the most popular song they ever released. Which uhh means it’s not that good. Thanks D Bow. Pennyroyal Tea - Hmm. This tea is kinda flavourless. Dumb - Always liked this song and I enjoy the strings and whatnot here. Sounds stripped back, cool, still punk and whatever. Polly - One of the first Nirvana songs I got into. Remains hard hitting. Something in the Way - Riddle me this Bat man, what has a broom and flies? A janitor… with a PLANE ticket. *Uproarious Laughter.” Plateau - Geographical structure music. Foothills mentioned. Surprisingly enjoyable little track. I suppose whenever geography is afoot, I’m going to have a ball. Oh Me - Another floater. Lake of Fire - Not quite Nocturnus, but I’ve always liked this song as well. Quick, aggressive, fun. All Apologies - I kind of miss the Meat Puppets here. Where Did You Sleep Last Night - A beautifully sombre song. Love the original and the cover does a good job. I really love when bands honour their influences. I presume there were a lot of people there that had only heard “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” who were summarily exposed to the Vaselines, the Meat Puppets and Leadbelly over the course of this record. The unfortunate thing is that so much of the edge was missing from this thing. It’s a wonderful sounding concert, the tones are great, the artistic vision is there, but I am missing something from this. Nirvana hasn’t quite been achieved here. I believe that’s still to come, either on Nevermind or In Utero. I await those days with a few extra stars to hand out. 3.5 HIGHLIGHTS: Jesus Doesn’t Want Me For a Sunbeam, Dumb, Polly, Lake of Fire, Where Did You Sleep Last Night
Landmark stuff; an easy 5 stars. This is our first time hitting Nirvana, 339 albums in... even as we've finished full trios from Arcade Fire, Roxy Music, The Beastie Boys, Nick Drake, and possibly others. I'll be looking forward to hitting them again. Favorites here: "About a Girl," "Come as You Are," "Lake of Fire," "All Apologies," "Where Did You Sleep Last Night," and the one I especially love - the cover of Bowie's "The Man Who Sold the World." For a stretch in my pre-teen years mom had settled on our local alternative station in the car, and that track got some play there (probably some other Unplugged stuff too - believe that's the only way I could know "Lake of Fire"). So there's nostalgia at play here, even though most of this is new to me. (A little weird now to think of my mom choosing "Z104.5 the Edge" on the radio dial... we're getting close to one year since she passed, and I miss her.)
A very natural feeling, laid back sound and ambiance which I wasn’t expecting They sound so shy lmao Let’s go Nirvana The call to Seattle
Considering how long I've lauded Nirvana as the most overrated band of all time, I surprisingly enjoyed this.
This is one of the best stripped back live sessions recorded. But I do believe that the lore around it has inflated its quality slightly. I like the idea of one of the biggest bands in the world doing a show for the biggest tv channel in the world and not playing any of their hits and instead doing covers
Iconic beast live album
I was obsessed with this in high school. Original, I know.
Sometimes it’s impossible to separate an album from its legendary status or the icy grip of nostalgia… this is one of those albums for me, 5 stars with a grain of salt.
I have this album in my collection having bought it very cheap at a charity shop (part of 3 CD’s for a £1). I’m not a big Nirvana fan so I must admit it was bought on the strength of the albums good reputation rather than an album I would play a lot. In fact after ripping it to SSD and then stored I haven’t given it another thought until today. I now realise what a big mistake this was. What I like about the album is that the acoustic versions of these songs have reduced the grunginess of them to something more palatable to me. So much so that I can actually hear the lyrics clearly. This is also owed to the good production which gives the songs a lot more width and air. So different to what I know of Nivana’s normal work which quite frankly is hard on the senses. This is what I expected of this album also but I was very pleasantly surprised. 4/5 23/11/25
a bitaccoustic for a nirvana album (disappointing?). had already listened to this but still njoyable
The sound of a ghost sitting across from you with an acoustic guitar. Rating: ★★★★★ 5/5 Short Review: Stripped down, unguarded, painfully human. This isn’t grunge unplugged — it’s Kurt Cobain quietly dissolving the barrier between performer and person. Every song feels like it’s being whispered from the edge of something dark and tender. The covers (“The Man Who Sold the World,” “Where Did You Sleep Last Night”) are so raw they basically become his songs. It’s not a concert. It’s a confession. Favorite Track: “Where Did You Sleep Last Night” — the final scream still feels like an emotional MRI. You hear a man opening up too far, too fast, and you don’t blink because it’s beautiful.
Kinda great, espacially for a live performance. There are a couple of songs I dont vibe with, but it is an important archive in music history I understand why it is here.
It's not bad but I feel like I'd appreciate it more if I was alive at the time or more into nirvana
Excellent listen
I already know exactly what this scores. One of my all time favourite albums of the last 40 years. Magic.
Jane is stinky
yeah yeahhhhh
No private session used for Spotify. An acoustic performance by a band known for their loud heavy music, it shouldn't work but it does. A tribute to the talent of the band and a sad reminder of incredible music Cobain would have made if he lived past 27. It's great hearing some of the overplayed Nirvana songs in redone by the creators and fun to hear their take on the covers.
wow
I think I was expecting more, I found all songs to be too similar
That was nice! I liked the vibe of the recording
This was cool - soft melodic acoustics and the harshnesss of his voice together. I don’t love the Nevermind ‘secondary’ album tracks but the covers were great
Don't like Nirvana, particullary I don't like Kurt's voice. But I must admit that they are much better unplugged! I enjoyed some of the stuff here.
This was the only Nirvana CD I ever owned. I am/was a big fan of the unplugged sessions MTV produced back in the day, and I remember that many people were uncertain that Pearl Jam or Nirvana would make any sense in this setting. There is no getting around the tour-de-force nature of Kurt's performance. He does a great job, and the rest of the band just joins flawlessly into the moment. Good stuff.
There’s no doubt that this is a fantastic, stripped-back, raw performance from Nirvana, that I’m sure at the time was a huge departure from their signature live sound. The mix of hits and back catalogue items is also a welcome addition to the live album that keeps it interesting & flowing. However, for me, as an album listening experience it hits the middle of the road. If I was there in person, in the 90s, it would have been absolutely incredible. But for me, in 2025, sitting on a bus to work, it’s a very solid listen without any major punch or impact.
it was okay :3
I know this is famous but his voice just hurts to listen to. No idea how he didn't tear his cords apart...
Absoluut een klassieker. Ook erg leuk dat ik hem op cd kon luisteren, sinds ik hem al in de kast heb staan.
Love this
This is the album where you get to truly u stand Cobain as a vocalist and lyricist. The covers show the creative possibility of the band if they had more time. The cultural significance of this album would make it a 5…only hard piece is the repetitive one trick of his music…means every song of his is the same. The covers more than make up for it.
Great performance from start to finish. The Bowie cover is amazing and the stripped back versions of No Apologies and Something in the Way are great. Kurt’s voice shines; it’s just so sad to think what might have been if he could have tamed his demons.
No nii no, The Man Who Sold The World
Live gesungen, es hört sich nicht gut an und ich habe hier mehr erwartet. Nun ja gruppe ist wie Sie ist :-)
This is a nice live recording, it truly is but... it's also Nirvana, which makes even the Bowie song sound depressing (and it's not a bad cover, to be honest). Some songs were good, others not that much, the band's own songs sounded more or less the same and, well, it's not my cup of tea, of course, but I thought I would like it more. Because of the more refreshing sounds and "variety" as well as for the covers, I give this album three stars, but it's not an album I would ever highlight (and there are better live albums than this one, I have to say).
They were better electric
One of favorite albums of all times
What a classic album. Soulful voice with so much emotion, great lyrics, and music stripped down to it’s simplest
Заслужено культовий запис
Тут особливо нічого і сказати
A cultural touchstone for sure, it’s one of those albums that kind of defined a time and for that it probably merits being on the list. The performances are pretty good, and the acoustic nature allows the songs (rather than the sound) to be the focus. But, that said, I find it a little boring.
meh
Better and more emotionally charged than I remember. Great re-listen!
I recently listened to this album and gave it five stars. I suspect when I listen to it again I will want to give six stars. And so on. It’s sooo good.
It’s Nirvana. Of course it’s going to be amazing. Honestly, The Man Who Sold the World might be better than the Bowie version. TBD.
(5) I love it because its authenticity bleeds through the recording. Curt does have a grating voice and I can see why some might not like it; but it has emotional rawness, which if smoothed out would lose its power, and its grit; it wouldn’t be Nirvana. David Bowle’s song “the man who sold the world” becomes uniquely emotional compared to the original which was catchy and beyond feeling; Both versions stand on their own merits.
The world would be poorer without it.
That was the Meat Puppets. My favorite live album ever. One of those where you wish you could just SMASH that mf 5 star as soon as it generates. Where Did You Sleep Last Night is so fucking haunting.
All time favorite
Without knowing the band and lead singers history- it’s essentially listening to a raspy pained voice for a while.
Arrancamos la semana con éste discazo, lleno de un halo de tristeza por ser póstumo a Kurt Cobain. Álbum bellísimo, sigue tan vigente como cuando se grabó. ¿Quién sería la figura homóloga de Kurt Cobain o de Nirvana en estos momentos? ¿O no tiene sentido pensar en ello porque estamos en otro momento histórico? Mil gracias por el recuerdo y nos vemos mañana, con más preguntas que certezas.
I liked this album a lot. Classic had been recorded in an interesting form. No the same as the normal Nirvana, but solid.
One of my favourite bands ever. Of course, it’s 5 stars. Listened to this epic album countless times and always gives me super vibes. Love Nirvana. RIP Kurt !!
Amazing from start to finish
Where Did You Sleep Last Night still gives me chills.
Very cool. I guess I should watch the video version. I have tons of respect and awe for Nirvana and Cobain and the values and shifts in the industry that they represented, but I’ve never really loved their music. This is probably the most I’ll enjoy a full project by them. It sounds great; the mixing is super clear and the instruments sound rich and full. I really dig that they played a bunch of covers and only one of their own hits. Must-listen #247.
COME ON NOW. Such a haunting and intimate performance, I wanna cry and riot simultaneously
Like an all-time rock band playing their own funeral. Some of these are definitive versions of the songs for me. You're not crazy if this is your favorite Nirvana album.
👩🍳 💋
Classic. 4.5/5
It's too seminal
Nice to hear this again after so many years. Still sounds great! Kurt always seemed to know where he'd come from and was so helpful to other artists he admired. I loved The Vaselines at the time, but they would have remained completely obscure without Nirvana's covers. I like to think that Kurt would have remained a decent guy if he'd lived. I genuinely can't imagine he'd be a MAGA numpty. A sad loss to music and humanity in general.
Wow,this is a real treat.I used to hear this from my multiplayed cassette with one of my cousins back in the days. Mtv wasn't available in Greece excerpt if a Greek channel played some of the videos or the unplugged full performances late at night and at selected days, and only if you had a good signal.Not me. After couple of years only,i managed to see this live through a Tv and i was gobsmacked. Nowdays if you go and hear it choose the video version and if you do, choose the unedited to get the full experience-it's on Nirvana's YouTube-as it contains some bonus rehearsal videos from a few songs plus some comments from the band,not always technical.You can also see Cobain's perfectionism throughout. This is a classic album,i feel like i have to review Doors debut again.I mean this is a highly influential album,one of the best unplugged albums in the world.Someone once said that you can understand if an album is timeless only if you play it with an orchestra,or play it fully organically unplugged and only if it sounds as a country album.Not sure about the latter but you know what i mean.And here is definately that case.I also must say that 6 of the 14 songs in this unplugged were covers but Nirvana made them their own,which empasizes what a great band they were,again.Also there was a celo and accordion included in the session. My favourites now(let's go song by song including all): About A Girl Come As You Are,equally beautiful and powerfull although unplugged,it's Kurt's vocals or maybe his electro-acoustic guitar.. Jesus Doesn't Want Me For A Sunbeam,is a cover of the Vaselines who also covered the original that was actually a Christian song.That shows their influences but also their diversity.Accordion cleverly involved here but i don't know yet if the Vaselines had one in their version. The Man Who Sold The World,a Bowie cover,shows their awe to him and their respect,executed their way and fairly made it their own.Bowie said he was blown away and that he was surprised that Cobain liked his work.He also said he wanted to talk to him but tragically he had passed away at the time. Pennyroyal Tea,is a stellar difficult solo performance from Kurt Cobain which shows he could be a standalone feature as well. Dumb,the cello shines here,this is a favourite of mine a bit more than the others,Cobain says before starting this one that On A Plain was also in the same key but they had to play another one that was in a different key for television purposes.He also says it was better this way because they were like the same song. Polly is also a huge favourite of mine.again slightly more than the others,like with Dumb, i have a thing for the moody ones. On A Plain,the unplugged version has something of the Beatles in it.Fantastic.Also a favourite. Something In The Way,along with the cello here for the first time,Kurt is not shouting,at all,and it feels great. Plateau is the first from the All The Meat Puppets cover trilogy.I still don't know this band,maybe it will pop up on the list.But here Kurt is inviting those two members on stage to play their 3 songs together,and he actually says that Nirvana are big fans of them.While tuning,sort of,they play Sweet Home Alabama intro,fun stuff!The guitars here are magical.Vocals not so much,sorry. Oh Me,the second cover is better,great lyrics,great song,the vocals perfect,i can see why Nirvana were fans. Lake Of Fire is the last cover of the trilogy,great guitars,the vocals-don't crusify me-could be better at times.At the end Kurt's suggests playing In Bloom but that was impossible unplugged. All Apologies,great song but not one of my favourites,it feels like Come as you Are at times but not equally that good.The crowd were yelling some requests and one yeld for Rape Me but Cobain said that ''MTV won't let us play that one''. Where Did You Sleep Last Night,again is a traditional cover that Cobain came up with for the end.Great cover,took me years to find out this one wasn't theirs. The unedited video version showed me how fluid their playlist was 'till the very end of the session,maybe because most of their songs couldn't be played unplugged and that's why they did so many covers that night and turned down audience's requests.It gave me a new perspective of this album but still remains a favourite and a timeless classic.Too bad MTV is closing cause their unplugged series, and not only,were legendary,and this album wouldn't existed. 5/5
I've listened to this so much, it's a treat and I'm looking for reasons why it shouldn't be a 5 and finding none. Everything is rendered with emotion.
Unplugged sessions were supposed to be a chance for rock bands to prove they could play without distortion as a crutch—but Nirvana approached the format like a séance. Stripping away the noise exposes the fragile, beautifully frayed wiring beneath these songs, turning even pop-grunge staples into haunted folk confessionals. It’s not exactly an album you throw on to brighten your day—and knowing what would follow for Kurt Cobain adds a chill you can’t shake—but that uneasy intimacy is the point. “About a Girl” gets recast as earnest Brit-pop, “Jesus Doesn’t Want Me for a Sunbeam” benefits from Krist Novoselic’s wheezing accordion, and a solo “Pennyroyal Tea” feels like Cobain bleeding straight into the mic. Even “Dumb” becomes a slow-moving heart-bruise with cello swelling in all the right places. Their take on “The Man Who Sold the World” might sneak in an electric flourish or two, but the spirit remains: Nirvana turning quiet into an act of rebellion.
I got fairly obsessed with Nirvana right around when I really, really started to get into music. This was about six months after Kurt Cobain killed himself, right around the time this came out. It's impossible for me to grade this without that context (and, probably, for anyone to assess it without it). Compared to the rest of their work, this is a real curveball, but still feels apiece with it. (The only song here that feels similar to its album cut is "Something in the Way," and it's only improved by the cell.) Everything about this album is well-considered. From the setlist loaded with deep tracks and covers (every one of which is great), to the fact that it's maybe the one time Dave Grohl didn't beat the shit out of his kit, to the strings, and ultimately to the fact that Kurt stayed restrained with his vocals until the very, very end of "Where Did You Sleep Last Night?" I read the wiki after listening and it noted that the producers tried to get them to do an encore but Kurt refused, believing he couldn't top the last song. It's a great "what if?" but I'm pretty sure he was right. It's haunting, funereal, and an absolute perfect capper to a band and a man that burned out instead of fading away.
Shite
I went through a grunge phase in high school and early college, but this one stands apart — it’s not about distortion or rebellion so much as the raw power of the songs themselves. I’ve always loved when artists reinterpret their own work and let the song shine stripped to its core. That’s exactly what happens here. “All Apologies,” “Come As You Are,” and the covers — especially “The Man Who Sold the World” and “Where Did You Sleep Last Night” — all reveal how meaningful and well-crafted these tunes really were beneath the noise. It’s haunting, intimate, and full of quiet confidence. What’s amazing is how complete it feels in its simplicity — like you’re hearing the essence of Nirvana, unguarded and human. It reminds me that a truly great song can take on new life in almost any form.
9/10 Favourite: The Man Who Sold the World Least Favourite: None
The easy thing to do was do the hits and maybe a cover, Kurt and Co did not do that and showed something that could've been the way onwards if it didn't end like it did with Kurt's demise. I watched the DVD instead of the album, the sweet home alabama bit is hilarious.
plug em back in
5/5
Great live album, classic songs
Even without the context of this being one of the last Kurt Cobain performances we'd ever get. This is one of the greatest live albums of all time. Its up for debate between this, James Brown at the Apollo, Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison, The Who at Leeds, and MC5's Kick out the jams. What's not for debate however, is that this forever cemented Kurt as the voice of a generation. Not a voice of a genre that rose, fell and nearly died in a 3 year span. The way this band almost gives these rock songs a new layer of awesomeness and depth with the accoustic setting, is a bar that is almost impossible to reach for future artists (especially in rock). No questions, no debates. This is a 5/5 album
still good after all these years
Nirvana, like Radiohead, is a bit of a bummer to me. They are both good but both are overrated. Also, live albums should not be part of the 1001. Yes, I am fun at parties. This is a solid album that gets a little tedious midway since it’s pretty mellow throughout. “All Apologies” is definitely the standout track. Top tracks: “All Apologies,” “The Man Who Sold the World,” “Lake of Fire”
Maybe one of the most important live albums ever released, they say. I get it. I'm not really a Nirvana guy, as we've established, but deep diving them has been fun (we did Nevermind a few weeks ago and I enjoyed it very much!) This is great and raw and important. Not a 5. Strong 4.
The grooves of this record have been etched into my bones since I was 10 years old. There's no way I can be objective about it.
Great covers.
This album is perfect. It's hard for anyone that didn't live through it how huge Nirvana was and how much Kurt Cobain wanted to just play music without any of the other stuff that came along with being a rock star. This album encapsulates that moment amazingly with its mix of mellow arrangements of some of their lesser known songs along with the introduction of some of Kurt's greatest influences such as the Vaselines and the Meat Puppets (whom joined them in the performance). The last track, a cover of "Where Did You Sleep Last Night" might be the greatest final song on any album and was particularly haunting when it came out as it was released more than 6 months after Kurt's suicide.
It's been a very long time since I've listened to this album. I'd grown a little tired of hearing the same 5 or so Nirvana radio songs for decades and had forgotten just had good this album was. Tempted to give it 5 but ultimately landed on 4 after sitting on my decision over the weekend. 👍About a Girl, Lake of Fire, Where Did You Sleep Last Night
Ooh boy been meaning to listen to this Aoty score 91/100 I already know all the songs from my mom so this should be easy to get into Some historic stuff on here, they turned already great existing songs into completely new experiences, along with some covers that really feel like Kurt genuinely loved the originals and performed them phenomally. My score 91/100
I don't really like live concert recordings. They're usually only great if you were there. I didn't understand the unplugged hype either. Give me the best-produced material, the studio album. But here it's different. The unplugged acoustic version works great here. Kurt's voice comes across very well, sometimes better than on studio albums, where it sometimes gets lost in the noise. I know that my reservations about live recordings are wrong. I love Pink Floyd's live recordings. This album shows me that there are also live albums by other bands that are completely independent works of art and not just sentimental memories. This album, which I would not have listened to without this project, will be one of my favorites. 5/5
I was hoping to be introduced to music I haven't heard 1002 times already. Love this album.
One of my favorite live albums of all time.
Easily one of my favorite albums of all time
This is the first full Nirvana album I have listened to. I have heard some of the songs on the radio but wasn't really into it. In all, it was a good album. I wish the cellos could be heard as part of the melodies. It would have made this acoustic, unplugged album better (in my view). 4/5
this album has long been on my list of concerts I'd travel back in time to attend if I could. also on that list: -Alive 2007 (obviously) -Sinatra at the Sands in 1966 -at least half of the performances featuerd in "Desolation Center" (2018)
peak
One of the greatest musical performances of all time.
Beautiful and..Well.. Tragic.. RIP Kurt Cobain.
What an incredible album that really showcased the talent of Kurt Cobain. Loved it.
It is one of the albums of my life, I can't describe with words the feelings I have when I listen to it. Love the music as much as I love Kurt, Dave, Krist and Pat (and the cello player of course).
Hm, nicht ihre besten Songs :-/ Schwanke zwischen 3-4 Sternen, ich geb mal 4 weil mir eine Shotgun vors Gesicht gehalten wird.
sehr gutes Album generell, mag den sanfteren Stil. Ansonsten ist mir Nirvana teilweise zu aggressiv. 1-2 Coverlieder haben nicht so gezündet, daher nur 4.
Bin tatsächlich gar kein großer Nirvana Fan (gewesen) aber wusste schon vorm anhören, dass das ein 5 Sterne Album wird. Geil Geil Geil
Absolutely love this album amazing brilliant LOVELY
Nirvana always gives me bad vibes
hey nirvana is not overrated
Classic! Nostalgic and timeless.
One of the classic albums in this series. It is an all time great.
8/10 - solid live album, watched the live performance as well as listened, great seeing a young Dave Grohl and Kurt Cobain, and the whole group interacting with the crowd
nostalgia induced rounded up 4.5/5
Actually don’t get why this is one of the highest rated albums ever. Wouldn’t even call it best acoustic set ever. Still good though I guess.
One star drop for it not being a studio version
3.8/5 (2.8/5 imho but there's people pointing guns at me 😅) I'm gonna make some enemies with this one. First of all, I don't hate Nirvana; I hate the hype around them and the people wearing their t-shirts as fashion and not as a representation of their taste in music. I never disliked the idea of exploring new musical ways, it's necessary for it to evolve. It just doesn't mean that the outcome is great all the time. This album (and the genre as a whole) is a good example of that. Nirvana was never a great band imho, nor was Kurt Cobain a great artist. Most of their songs sound very similar, carry a pretty depressive and bored sound with them. I just don't enjoy stuff like this. With all honesty, Nirvana got hyped into oblivion because they did something different and gave the 90s teens something to flock to. Cobain's suicide accelerated that. The way both the media and his then gf Courtney Love handled the situation was cringey and disrespectful. It made a whole generation cry cuz their idol was gone, but I'd cry as well if I'd only have Alice In Chains to listen to afterwards. This unplugged album was a big thing back in the day since it was released after Cobains self-unaliving. Regarding the overall ratings, it's save to say that there's many people here who absolutely love it. I don't share that opinion, but it's not as bad as some of the shit my ears had to endure the weeks prior. It's good enough to be background music for me, but it doesn't reach higher than that. Mediocrity in musical form. Also wtf are lines like "I'm on a plane/I can't complain"? Is this considered lyrical gold these days? Probably yes if I look at any lyrics of popular music today... So yeah, all in all not bad, not great either. Would I listen to this again? Probably not if I didn't have to. Did I make aeqnx and Daimon mad? Probably yes. Am I getting offered as a tribute in late December? Most definitely.
10/10
Iconic. One of the best live albums of all time, if not the best.
I can’t not love this album. It summed up our mini generation and a sensibilities we had as 8/9 gradesrs.
Emotional and powerful. ★★★★
A very good album, but it does suffer from The Curse of The Critics. Made when Nirvana were at the height of their fame, and Kurt could have made armpit noises, and the music papers would have praised it to the sky. But Nirvana put together a very good album, and the praise made it sound like The Rapture. The Bowie cover is the highlight.
Yeah, hands down, one of the best live albums ever
Given Nirvana's short timespan of existence, they did not hand us many albums, and this as the only official live album they published in the band's existence. I've never listened to it in full before this, although I've heard over half the songs from this show many times. I'm making this review short: good album, kind of overrated (the Lake of Fire cover is horrible), probably belongs in the 1001+ albums (definitely more than some other albums I've gotten to), I only plead that people listen to other grunge music that isn't just Nirvana. The genre has plenty to offer.
It always makes me sad listening to this, knowing that we would never get to hear where Nirvana would go next. It’s like the Beatles breaking up after 10 years, only obviously more tragic. Would Cobain have gone the Elliott Smith route and released acoustic songs without a backing band? Would they have embraced the personal orchestration of R. E. M.’s Automatic for the People (whose producer engineered this live album)? We’ll never know, but at least we have this. The performances are studio quality, and the song choices are sublime. Few hits included, making it truly feel like the fourth Nirvana album we never got. Brilliant covers of Bowie and Leadbelly join covers of Cobain’s favorite underground artists like the Vaselines and Meat Puppets (members of which briefly join Cobain and company onstage), introducing a generation of fans to some of the most exciting music ever made. I may be sad that it ended here, but I cannot fathom a more perfect coda for one of the greatest bands and songwriters of all time.
One of the greatest live performances ever recorded. A masterpiece.
One of my favorite albums from one of my favorite bands, which is saying a lot since I'm generally not a fan of live albums. The MTV Unplugged series, though, has produced a lot of great albums. Seeing Nirvana, a band in a genre that is largely defined by its use of electric instruments, translate their work into an acoustic medium is astonishing. Even the covers they do are usually better, in my opinion, than the originals. Cobain's vocal style is even more heartbreaking when laid bare on this album. Favorite tracks: Jesus Doesn't Want Me For A Sunbeam, The Man Who Sold the World, Oh Me
4.07
Good grunge album, Kurt seemed like a lovely guy
Classic
The "unplugged" aspect of this album provides a glimpse into the bones of Nirvana's songs absent the bludgeoning production of their studio albums, but with mixed results. Avoiding the hits for the most part and mixing in a liberal quantity of covers, the band performs the songs in simple, folky renditions that aren't particularly illuminating. The song choices too are lacking; Kurt Cobain is a gifted melodicist but the deep cuts selected for this set often don't reflect that side of his work very well. In addition, on these performances Cobain continues to lean into the bloozy faux-husky vocal style that was the scourge of 70s hard rock records. Punk and new wave opened the door to a wide range of new vocal styles, but Cobain sticks with regressive vocal affectations that should have been permanently put to bed by the end of the 70s.
I can't rate this fairly. I listened to it so much as a teen that every track is imprinted on my memory. There are mistakes, fluffed notes, and Kurt's voice is rough in places, but the rawness is part of the joy. Has to be a low 5 for me, but I can imagine a new listener might not be so approving.
Usually not big on live albums, but this is an exception. Its good and all but the main point of note is Where Did You Sleep Last Night. Best nirvana piece of music.
I think that the Nirvana songs working so well acoustically shows how strong Kurt’s songwriting is, proving that grunge is way more than just noise. The covers being show off Nirvana’s ability to adapt songs, as they all fit well with the rest of the music. It highlights the band’s musicianship and Kurt’s singing ability, even if it isn’t a traditionally pleasant voice. 4/5
It's fitting to review Nirvana's Unplugged in New York right now, as it coincides with MTV's announcement that they're discontinuing their last dedicated music channels. This album is a monument to what MTV once was: a channel that could launch a culturally impactful event like the MTV Unplugged series. Originating in 1989 with acts such as Squeeze, these televised concerts, including this one by Nirvana, were defining cultural moments that the network promoted at its peak. Nirvana recorded their performance on November 18, 1993, the album was released November 1st 1994, nearly seven months after Cobain's death. My relationship with Nirvana's catalogue has always been a little uneven; I never disliked their music, but I didn't connect with it as universally as many others did. In a sense, I feel the same about "Unplugged in New York." It's a very good live album from a band whose output can sometimes leave me indifferent. Do I consider it a five star essential album? No, but I certainly appreciate its quality and why it resonates so deeply with others. Four stars. 1 "About a Girl" (5/5) 2 "Come as You Are" (5/5) 3 "Jesus Doesn't Want Me for a Sunbeam" (4/5) 4 "The Man Who Sold the World" (5/5) 5 "Pennyroyal Tea" (3/5) 6 "Dumb" (4/5) 7 "Polly" (5/5) 8 "On a Plain" (4/5) 9 "Something in the Way" (4/5) 10 "Plateau" (Meat Puppets cover) (3/5) 11 "Oh Me" (Meat Puppets cover) (4/5) 12 "Lake of Fire" (Meat Puppets cover) (4/5) 13 "All Apologies" (5/5) 14 "Where Did You Sleep Last Night" (4/5) Total - 59 Average - 4.21 134/1001 68/134 albums reviewed were new to me.
Really enjoyed a couple songs (Jesus doesn't want me for a sunbeam and The man who sold the world), but overall it's simply not pleasing to me
Slow but a couple songs on there that I’ve already got favourited
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perfect album for a misty autumn afternoon. a little bit of a hazy, tired, soft feeling seems to surround it. it melts into itself again and again.
I remember when this came out, it was being played at every bar and party I went to. I listened to it twice today. It's lost nothing
Favorite song(s): Where Did you Sleep Last Night When would I listen to it: Need a calm and quiet vibey album to play in the background.
Something about the unplugged version having more soul to it, I prefer it to studio version.
Goated album
I would agree that this album is essential listening. It's very good for a live album and really captures a snapshot of the time. I find Nirvana to be a little inconsistent, but this album does capture some of their best songs. True to form, my favorite track was the Bowie cover. I'm feeling a little generous on this rating, because even if it is far from my favorite album, I think it is a very important one.
It’s good but it lacks the shit kicking raucous intensity of Nevermind. It’s also not fully acoustic…
I'm very fortunate to have gotten the three Nirvana albums in the 1001 books in chronological order, because that means I got to enjoy their MTV Unplugged performance with the context of what led up to that night. Sadly, though, the more prominent aspect of this release was that it came out months after singer-songwriter Kurt Cobain's suicide. Originally, the plan was to release a double album called Verse Chorus Verse, which would have comprised various live performances on disc one and the MTV Unplugged performance on disc two. The process of combing through archives proved to be emotionally taxing for surviving members Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic. Thus, only the second disc was released as its own product. As for what we got, the band played stripped-back acoustic renditions of their songs, accompanied by Germs guitarist Pat Smear and cellist Lori Goldstein. Between the intimate arrangements and Kurt's harrowing vocal delivery, these songs are given a fresh perspective, including leaning more into the Beatles influence on "About a Girl" and the solemn renditions of "Dumb" and "Something in the Way". Even more impressive were the multiple covers in this set, with particularly striking takes of David Bowie's "The Man Who Sold the World", the Meat Puppets' "Lake of Fire", and the traditional "Where Did You Sleep Last Night". New life was breathed into these tracks to the point where one can wonder the sonic direction the band would have gone. Not much else to say here, as Nirvana's MTV Unplugged performance was a truly endearing experience. It was a bittersweet way to end my time with Nirvana on this album journey.
Livealbum
- Honestly I think I like the live unplugged version of their songs here more than the recored ones - Also did not realize they only had 3 albums - definitely would listen to again all the way through (and that's saying something) Likes: - the sound is really raw but I love it especially About a girl and come as you are - also really liked their performance of Lake of Fire Dislikes: - not a huge fan of Pennyroyal Tea
Excellent live and acoustic album
Oh god please not the 2 worst things imaginable: Live and Unplugged. Urgh The man who sold the World is always great though.
Sounds good but still whiny
Decent live.
This is such a great record. Could be twisted but this is actually a record i used to enjoy a lot back when i was a little kid. I'm not really into live albums but this is really something.
One of my favorite albums from my youth. I remember listening to this CD in portable CD player in our basement for days and days and days. All the way through. I remember thinking I liked it better than other Nirvana albums but I didn’t know why. Cobain was dead when it was released and that made it more special but also sad (in a way my pre-teen self couldn’t understand). Anyway, I think it’s a top 10 album for me (all time). I love these versions of Nirvana songs, and the Meat Puppets covers, and the other covers. Went with “Lake or Fire” and “All Apologies” for the playlist. Have always loved that back to back.
A frontman going through withdrawals and refusing to play the hits, opting for deeper cuts and relatively obscure covers. An unintentional final statement. A true classic.
A combination of great songs, great acoustic versions, and a moment in history make this album unique
Classic album. The sound of Cobain's voice on some of the tracks is so emotive.
Perhaps the best way to assess this record is forgetting what a new phenomena MTV Unplugged was (which only briefly preceded its becoming a cliche), ignoring the rest of the catalog and pretending one'd never heard Nirvana before. In that view, this is straight-up interesting on its own terms, a creaky-voiced though impassioned singer, playing brooding, sometimes raw, vaguely psychedelic folkie rock, with a few intriguing and well selected covers. (One's always been annoyed by the intelligence-insulting introduction of "Man Who Sold the World" as a Bowie song, though a charitable interpretation would be that KC was trying to be helpful to the benighted and wanting people to know bettter.) The cello adds depth (even if seeming slightly affected) and Greil Marcus is right that this gets deeper and more hauntingly musical across multiple listens. Certainly, it's more inventive than Pearl Jam's set and one likes it better than Nirvana's studio albums but then again one has always (then / now) found them to be pretty overrated.
Kurt Cobain they could never make me hate you. life changing set
classic
What a classic album of bangers
This is another album where I had previously heard most of the tracks. Some of them were specifically these recordings, some were the studio versions. I don’t really know how I feel. There’s clearly a lot of passion and emotion in this recording, but I also find that Nirvana tends to overdo it and make songs drone on longer than needed. I didn’t hate the experience, and I’m glad what they did for grunge and associated genres, but this isn’t an album I would probably choose to come back to.
*** 1/2 Nirvana are ok, good unplugged one.
Great mix of deep cuts and covers
99/1001 :: Nirvana - MTV Unplugged in New York Heard before? ✅ Would I revisit? ✅ Rating: 10 Listen before you die: YES This is arguably the greatest live album ever. I’m serious. Song choices, order, vibe, the covers, the string work, the recording and all fronted by a man with not much else left to give except this masterpiece. All that said, it’s the gift that keeps on giving. Kurt was not perfect but albums (especially live ones) don’t get much better than this. 11 out of 10. @dead.wax.cafe
Still my favorite Nirvana "album." Tight, but laid back. The acoustic renditions of their songs highlights Kurt's lyrics and musical craftsmanship.
Fine. I'm not the biggest Nirvana or Kurt Cobain fan, but I can appreciate this for the cultural force that it is.
Changed the entire genre of Live albums and flipped it on it's fucking head. Iconic. 9/10
we all know Korn Unplugged is superior, but this one will do…
While listening to this absolute masterpiece, I learned that unlike other bands that had done the UnPlugged series at that time, Nirvana did their entire performance in one take. These guys are gonna go places! Hopefully they can stick with it…
Possibly my favorite live album of all time. It’s absolutely perfect. It’s the exact opposite of KISS’s 1998 misguided attempt at music “Psycho Circus”.
Great
𝘔𝘛𝘝 𝘜𝘯𝘱𝘭𝘶𝘨𝘨𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘕𝘦𝘸 𝘠𝘰𝘳𝘬 strips Nirvana down to their rawest form, showing a vulnerability that was often buried under distortion. The setlist is daring — cover-heavy and far from a greatest-hits showcase — and it works beautifully, highlighting Kurt Cobain’s fragile intensity. Knowing that just five months later he would take his own life makes the performance all the more haunting.
I'm not generally a fan of live albums appearing on lists such as these. But for Nirvana, I'll allow it.
A couple of really cool songs, chill vibes
Sweet
Can't believe I hadn't listened to this before. The video clips of some songs were very prevalent in the 90s and I was kinda captivated by Kurt Cobain's aura - the aura that gets bestowed to rock stars who died young. The songs are good, the performances are beautiful, you can hear the band's onstage banter. But ultimately this is a performance that needs to be experienced as a visual immersion and listening to only the audio is a bit of a non event.
The cover of Bowie’s The Man Who Sold The World is one of the very worst (yet hugely popular) covers of his work.
Heavy.
This album was alright. I definitely feel like the vibe of Nirvana is not laid out enough for the MTV unplugged setting.
In the 90s, this set was reverently mentioned like it was The Beatles playing Ed Sullivan. Even the phrase "MTV Unplugged" just kinda meant THIS set (never mind all the other artists who appeared on the show). As someone who only got 'plugged in' to Nirvana after Kurt Cobain's death, these tracks were always just part of their catalog of hits to me, even though most of them were obscure album tracks or covers. It's a little crazy to think about them doing this and NOT playing the hits; the fact that "Smells Like Teen Spirit" isn't part of this show is a wild (but very punk rock) move! I have deep respect for the consideration that went into this setlist, it's clear that they considered which of their songs would fit the setting instead of just strumming out their classics on acoustic instruments. Recorded just months before Cobain's death, this would be Nirvana's final act; a requiem for their short reign at the top of rock & roll. If anything, I think the earnestness of this set helped cement Nirvana's legacy - before Unplugged they were easy to dismiss as a bunch of angsty boys making noise, but this evening revealed a deeper musicianship that nobody really expected. And with no follow-up albums, this just pours gasoline on the "what could have been" fire. Had Kurt lived, I wonder what would have happened next. Maybe Nirvana break up anyway and we get Lennon/McCartney 2.0 where Dave Grohl goes off to do Foo Fighters and Kurt Cobain starts a new project too. What would that have looked like? I guess we'll never know.
Loved this!
bellissimo ma perché l'album della performance live quann ten'n certi fatt incredibili bo
Non avevo mai sentito Lake of fire ed è stata una bella scoperta! P.S. non mi piacciono gli unplugged, preferisco i live dei concerti
enjoyed
Vabbè dai i Nirvana sono i Nirvana, anche se il loro mtv unplugged, osannato da tutti, onestamente è carino ma le versioni in studio dei vari brani sono decisamente superiori
Tanto rispetto per mio fratello morto Curto, ma x me si salva solo "Come As You Are", scusatemi Nota: mi ha fatto ridere quando in "All Apologies" dice "what else could I say? Everyone is gay"
My first year at the University of Kansas was spent at Stephenson Scholarship Hall. In my second year, I moved down the hill off 14th and Vermont streets with two former Stephenson residents. I was as depressed as I would ever be and In Utero was my soundtrack. I probably listened to In Utero the day that I watched Nirvana's Unplugged. No "Heart Shaped Box," but I approved of the inclusion of "Pennyroyal Tea," "All Apologies" and "Dumb." No "Smells Like Teen Spirit," but "Come As You Are" was the Nirvana song that first hooked me. I had watched multiple Unpluggeds at this point in time, so I had no sense of profundity with Nirvana's performance with the exception of "The Man Who Sold The World." I had not heard the Bowie original at that point, but I think Nirvana made the song their own that night. I bought MTV Unplugged In New York when it came out in November of 1994. It is in the one or two percent of albums on this 1001 list that I owned and listened to upon release. I had mostly put Nirvana to the side after Kurt Cobain's death. But MTV Unplugged In New York was a bittersweet reminder of something that was truly great for the briefest of moments.
i rated sarah vaughan's "at mister kelly's" a 4 some number of moons ago on the merits that 1. i like jazz, 2. it felt historically significant to be listening to a live set from the 1950s, and 3. it made me laugh a couple of times. coming to this album... well... not be a belligerent zoomer who doesn't understand the significance of MTV... but like, who cares? not to mention it's a paired down acoustic set - why do grunge if you're not going to put your whole pussy into it? i'm only half-joking asking that: i'm not an incorrigible hater who can't appreciate musical talent (listening to this, there's no question that nirvana's genius is innate and transcends labels), i'm just an incorrigible hater when it comes to acoustic sets. watching this on youtube improved my feelings somewhat: if i'm going to listen to a live album, i'd like there to at least be SOMETHING interesting about it. i'd like to hear the back and forth between the musicians, i'd like to hear them tune their instruments, and i'd like to hear the audience's reactions, etc. etc. i appreciated this as a project a lot more when i could actually see and hear these things instead of JUST clipping it to the music. highlights - about a girl, come as you are, the man who sold the world
Not usually a live album enjoyer, but man this was just about as good as a studio recording and had versions of their songs that rival the album versions.
I don’t normally enjoy listening to live albums, but there is so much raw emotion in Cobain’s voice that each song feels different to its studio version in a good way. The little ad libs in between songs are endearing as well. Only thing is listening to a bunch of Nirvana songs in a row gets kinda fatiguing.
Pretty cool.
Still holds up. It's not as good as Madvillainy.
Não sou fã da banda nem do estilo, curtir a sonoridade de algumas músicas, apesar de melancólicas
íkonískt dæmi...vissi ekki að þetta hafi komið út eftir að kirk cobain féll frá
This is once again a case of “WHY ARE LIVE ALBUMS ON THIS LIST?!?” This is the best example of how you can’t compare studio albums to live albums, they are just completely different in every way even if they are playing the same music. I think if your an amazing band the live albums always have an edge to them and if you are a bad band than a live albums always exposes that. That being said, and believe me I could go on and on about how live albums DON’T belong on this list, I do have to give this album a review cause it is on the list. This isn’t even a hot take, but this album is probably the greatest contribution that Nirvana gave the music world. It’s basically a greatest hits album while also being an acoustic album. BOTH of those things really add a lot to the emotion and weight behind a lot of the songs. Yah I’m still digging and there’s like nothing I can critique about this album. It’s a perfect tracklist with most of their “best” songs, it has their best performance, and it’s an iconic mtv unplugged. In fact it probably was the biggest since the kiss unplugged. Seriously though, probably one of the top 3 greatest live albums ever.
Some great breakout songs, but eventually I just get tired of the Kurt Cobain groaning.
A masterclass on how to do an unplugged performance. Simply a brilliant album.
MY GIRL, MY GIRL, DON’T LIE TO ME
Amazing, top 5 live recording all time for me. Absolutely cemented their legacy and music as a whole is different without this album. Hot take: Best Nirvana Album?
5 - for so many reasons 1.) This is a live album and it sounds better than most studio albums, admittedly MTV (unplugged) had a lot of experience recording live 2.) This is acoustic (well . . . mostly, acoustic through an amp) and amazing 3.) Kurt is so put together (considering) - integrating conversations, the Meat Puppets (they were touring with) and random banter with his band and guest Lori Goldston 4.) ONE TAKE. Only two days rehearsal - amazing Considering Kurt's mental state it's just amazing this came together at all and wasn't a disaster.
Wonderful stripped down live concert, really shows their country and rock inspirations. Definitely an album to listen to if you've been very critical of nirvana as a band
One of the best live albums of all time. Closes with a Leadbelly cover, superb.
Love love
I know this is supposed to be some great concert or whatever, but I don't really see it. Not a great performance, and hearing the Nirvana in an acoustic setting just shows how similar they all sound. Not a great showing for a pretty good band.
Oh Kurt. I remember watching this on MTV months before he died then buying the CD when it was released months after. I played it loads and it's something I always go back to. It all works, the stripped down feel and his wonderful voice, full of genuine emotion. Their own songs all work, the covers all work, and on video they looked so damn cool. I love that it opens with 'About A Girl' a genuinely classic track from before they were huge, and a version that for me is better than the recorded version. The same could maybe be said for 'The Man Who Sold The World' too, and that's REALLY saying something. Kurt's voice is is so raw, so genuine. Of course it's drenched in sadness but this captures them at that moment. Who knows what more they, or more accurately he, was capable of.
I’m very torn by this one. Some of the tracks are 5 stars, no doubt. But I don’t get on with the live album format, generally. Kurt’s voice is amazing and the band sound great. But this isn’t the origin of those songs. That’s what the albums and singles are for. I’m sure this would’ve been great seeing it live, but as a recording, it doesn’t compare to their studio albums for me. That’s where the real creativity and genius lies.
I think all the best songs of Nirvana is in this one
Smells Like Cheap Cigarettes.
Eins der besten Alben von Nirvana unglaublich geiles unplugged imagine man war da wow Special Mention: plateau Best song: The man who sold the World Rating: 4,7/5 All time Classic eines der besten, wenn nicht das beste Livealbum. Alles hieran ist iconic. 4,6/5
Très très bien franchement, la performance live est incr, mais il a l'air vraiment fatigué le pauvre avec sa voix cassée. Je comprends mais c'est pas un 5/5 pour moi.
Très bonne voix, instru sympa, il est bon le kurt
Que des musiques que j'adore + qq découvertes correctes. Le fait d'entendre les gens qui parlent est in peu chiant mais bon c'est le principe d'un album live. Très intéressant d'avoir les transitions entre les musiques avec le live justement. Kurt a une voix exceptionnelle, la guitare est on point que de demander de plus ?
Normally hate a live album, but thought this was great
It is a good live album and I do like the additional covers in terms of The Man Who Sold The World and Where Did You Sleep Last Night. However, going unplugged/acoustic lessens what makes Nirvana good so I think I can only go to a 3 star.
Acoustic versions of some of their slower songs and covers. Just a bit boring.
We all know the songs, but there’s a certain grit to them played live and recorded so well.
A classic
The algorithm is being kind - three 5* album in the last week. This is such a great album with a great mix of Nirvana tracks and really well thought out covers. Makes you think how Nirvana could have evolved and matured if Kurt had lived.
MTV Unplugged in New York I had it on official cassette, but not sure why I bought it, as I don’t know if I was really into them, it was kind of in that funny period before I got fully into British bands when I had some cherry red Doc Martins. Anyhow I do remember liking it at the time, listening on my walkman in the car on the way to my grandparents, and it is of course still excellent today. Although it stretches the definition of unplugged, it does show how great Kurt’s songwriting was that the original songs all work brilliantly in stripped back form, carried by superb vocals and excellent almost jazz like softness to Grohl’s drumming. And the choice of covers is superb too, the three Meat Puppets songs, in particular Lake of Fire and Plateau are excellent and I love Jesus Don’t Want Me For a Sunbeam, the accordion is superb, giving the song a lovely swell. It’s hard to pick a favourite song, and there is not a weak track at all, but All Apologies and Dumb are both particularly mesmeric to me, as on In Utero the plaintiveness of the cello is so good. Easy 5. 🔌🔌🔌🔌🔌 Playlist submission: All Apologies
The album has been described as 'ragged glory' and that's fitting - there are mistakes, on 'Pennyroyal Tea', 'Man Who Sold the World', 'Where Did You Sleep', but Kurt just works them into the song. I am not surprised to discover it was recorded in one take. A true live album, warts n all. 'About a Girl' is transformed into an acoustic classic. The only other Unplugged I've seen breathe such new life into old songs is the Godfather of Grunge himself. If you've ever seen Puddle of Mudd's cover of 'About a Girl' you'll know that the accented confederate twang against rock-acoustic guitar, can go terribly awry. Man Who Sold the World remains the standout in a setlist of fantastic covers, and superb acoustic interpretations if some of their own best tracks.
Don’t get me wrong, I love Nirvana and I really liked this album. That being said, I don’t know if this album lived up to its billing as the tenth highest rated on this site. I didn’t really see any benefits from this being acoustic or live. It kinda detracts from the nirvana sound that I love. You can call it a change up pitch for the band, it doesn’t do it the way Nirvana typically does it for me.
Rock, unplugged, 1994 -> 3
Classic amongst classics
Fucking agonizing
classic
Nirvana’s MTV Unplugged strips away the distortion and fury that defined their sound, offering a raw, intimate performance. The setlist highlights their versatility, with standout covers like Bowie’s “The Man Who Sold the World” and the haunting closer “Where Did You Sleep Last Night.” While the vulnerability is striking, some moments feel uneven compared to their studio energy, making it less consistent as a whole.
Irónicamente esta es la versión de Nirvana que más me gusta en lo que respecta a la experiencia de álbum. Siento que se puede apreciar mucho mejor los tonos melancólicos de la banda y la expresividad de la voz de Kurt Cobain. Disfruto de los temas de sus otros álbumes, pero por momentos me resulta demasiado ruidoso (por supuesto que es el estilo). Además considero que se mezclaron muy bien con la instrumentación acústica. Sorprende que una banda de este estilo se haya mostrado tan cómoda con estos arreglos. No soy muy fan de la voz de Cobain, siento que no suena lo suficientemente profesional, pero fuera de la búsqueda de una perfección técnica, creo que encuentra un amplio rango de expresión, además de ser una voz instantáneamente identificable.
Authentic. Really shows off the range & talent that Nirvana had.
Less amplification makes Nirvana less abrasive. The highlights of this record for me are the guitar and bass. The last 4 songs are all good but the finale was absolutely killer. 2.7 outta 5
Is this album great in its own right or is it elevated to greatness by Cobain’s imminent passing? Well, two things can be true at the same time. It’s a great, great album either way. Where Did You Sleep is one hell of a way to go out
Nirvana's MTV Unplugged resonates with me. It is one of the handful of albums on this list that I listened to when it came out. The covers stand out, especially a sublime rendition of "The Man Who Sold The World," the Meat Puppets tunes and "Where Did You Sleep Last Night."
Classic
Got to see it live
Like but don’t love nirvana. That was pretty cool with it being live but wasnt my favorite
60/1089 a cool, moody live set which was well performed and atmospheric. I had a good time listening to this one, even if i felt a little underwhelmed because i expected a bit more. 3 stars or 61/100 faves: Come As You Are, Jesus Doesn’t Want Me For A Sunbeam, All Apologies
I really think my problem is that I didn't grow up with nirvana the way most people here did. I think this is a good acoustic set, but certainly not one of the best ever put to wax. Love the closer but that's really all.
Love this album.....paid more attention to the song plateau, which I've never really noticed before.
Kurt cobain a une voix titanesquement magnifique
oui oui
Classic
The local radio station in my hometown used to invite bands to do an all acoustic cover of one of their hits, and play it only on our station. These were almost always my favorite version of all of the songs I heard there. This whole album captures that same stripped down, pure feeling. Favorite new track was lake of fire
Generational band. With this performance being their emotional peak, they transform even the known lyrics of another group into another world where we all can visit and quietly reflect on our own life. All time top.
A good performance. I don't like it as much as I did when it came out, but it is still one of the better unplugged records.
For me, the perfect MTV Unplugged is the one Alice in Chains did. If that wouldn't have existed, this would be the best. This is an absolutely great performance though. I loved it a lot.
Obvious classic, one of the best live records/concerts ever. I have Laguna nostalgia watching this in their house on their TV.