MTV Unplugged In New York

One of my favorite live an unplugged albums of all time. A totally different side of Nirvana that showed off their abilities without the grunge loudness.

Didn’t know what to expect but was impressed with them and some of their covers

Normally I'm not a big live album kind of guy. This was spectacular. It still kind of astounds me that Nirvana sounded so good on this considering how big and loud so much of their sound was. But they sound so, so good and much more personal on this. It really lets Cobain's voice shine and sounds much closer and more intimate than they do on any of their other albums. Loved that it wasn't just a greatest hits album but they did mostly deep cuts and covers, it works so well for them. They sound incredible and it really serves to highlight how much more they could've evolved if Cobain hadn't died. RIP Kurt.

oh I remember this well. no one knew what to expect from their performance & how that would translate to the Unplugged stage....and this was amazing. great choice of doing some of their lesser known tracks & covers. love the stripped down sound. makes Kurt's death just a few months later so tragic

The best unplugged record. The Meat Puppets covers are among the best covers ever. And the versions of about a girl and something in the way are also marvellous.

I don't understand the concept of live albums, and I despise this band. I'd give it a 0 if I could.

It's good and intimate, but I don't think it's a masterpiece. Plus, come on, how can this album's version of "The Man Who Stole The World" be more popular than the original... album?

Pure Jem

fascinating record. So different from their usual sound but still fantastic. Shows their songwriting strengths

I absolutely disliked the MTV Unplugged series when it was going. I really only liked Nirvana's and Alice in Chains's Unplugged albums. This one has a wide range of their own material and covers (Meat Puppets, David Bowie, yayyyy!). It's fine, I do like the version of All Apologies off of this than the studio version from In Utero. 3.4/5 so it's a 3.

Hot

Solid. Guitar work really nice and the compositions sound great but Kurt’s voice never quite did it for me. Definitely warm up to the style by the end of the album. Would listen again

Wow

It's 1994 and I'm 16. Kurt Cobain had died a few months ago, and this comes out as probably the last thing Nirvana will release. After the initial shock of it being acoustic, we spend ages playing the simple chords of about a girl, and playing around with the phasing. I don't think we knew the history of where did you sleep last night or even knew much about David Bowie, but we love the covers as much as the Nirvana songs Thirty years later, it's still great, and the emotion in this album, the sadness .of Kurt Cobains death, and never knowing what else could have been still hits hard.

Perfect...Just Perfect.

A significant album of my childhood. A good introduction to Nirvana for people who don't like Nirvana

Classic Nirvana - these songs are all so nostalgic and just good!

I enjoyed this album and really like the Unplugged acoustic music.

the only 5* live album? quite possibly

Unbelievable

one of the best ever

This is my 2nd Nirvana album. Remarcable album. Very nice. I've never been a Nirvana fan but this album motivated me to research more about it. And after knowing it's story, all hats to Kurt Cobain. Actually, not just him. The whole band!!. They've been through so hard experiences!!. And despite all, they are still alive today.

Average

This is such a good album. Despite being a loud rock band and this album being mostly acoustic and includes many covers, it still captures their essence very well. This has been in my rotation for years and it will continue to be.

I've heard this album so much it's hard to listen to more but it's a classic.

One of the absolute best live albums/recordings by Nirvana and possibly of all time.

Nirvana. muss man kennen, nicht zwingend mögen. mir gefällt einiges gut an dieser (fast oder teilweise) akustischen aufnahme: bass, atmosphäre, einige titel. aber dennoch keine 5 sterne.

Eines der besten Alben ever.

Really interesting having an unplugged/acoustic album on this list. Its really good though. A lot of raw emotion in the songs that stir up a lot of feelings. Don't know if its something that I would listen to daily but I'm glad to have listened to it and when the mood is right I will probably listen again.

Most of the time, live albums on this list annoy me. They feel a little like cheating, in that, the artist gets to choose songs that they already know are hits. While there are some definite Nirvana classics on the set list, bigger bangers could have been chosen. Kurt made this list out of songs that he personally enjoyed to play—not crowd favorites (notice the omission of “Smells Like Teen Spirit”). What’s interesting is that all the songs that are by Nirvana feel like they’re being covered. They aren’t played as they were recorded. It’s a completely original performance of each song so it doesn’t feel like cheating like other live albums do. The actual covers are also fantastic. Obviously, the Bowie cover is incredible, as well as the three Meat Puppets tracks. “Jesus Don’t Want Me for a Sunbeam” is such a specific song to choose, but it works so well. What I really enjoy most, though, is the finale by Leadbelly. What a strange song to end with, my favorite on the album. He just did whatever he wanted and he fucking killed it. 5/5

more curiosity than album . bowie cover is good .

Данный альбом можно назвать лучшим концертом всех времен, но далеко не самым лучшим альбомом группы Nirvana. В день концерта Курт окончательно доказал всем, что Nirvana давно переросла андерграундный гранж и что ее песни можно играть на контрабасе (великолепная Dumb). Такие песни как Come As You Are, Pennyroyal Tea, All Apologies стали классикой группы, а каверы Jesus Doesn't Want Me For A Sunbeam, The Man Who Sold The World, Lake Of Fire еще не скоро вспомнят оригинальных создателей. Атмосфера концертов MTV Unplugged завораживает, и для более точной ее передачи данный альбом стоит слушать на виниловом проигрывателе в спокойный домашний субботний вечерок, укутавшись в плед на приятном диване или кресле. Качество записи песен с альбома оставляет желать лучшего, поэтому для повседневного прослушивания лучше подходят песни с двух предыдущих альбомов группы, записанные в студии. Суммируя вышесказанное, я не могу назвать данную работу альбомом на 5/5, но как концерт она бесподобна. Атмосферные 4/5.

Quite creative, and quite pleasant. I'll give it 4/5 stars.

Nirvana was just a moment. Music that came once upon a time. And this live album promised there would be more to come. Until it couldn’t.

Heard it before god knows how many times. For nostalgic reasons Nirvana has a very calming effect on me. Make them play acoustic and now it's extreme calmness to me. I love everything about this album. Surprisingly the songs I like the most on this album are the Meat Puppets covers, they just work so well. 5/5

Didn’t blow me away but enjoyed some songs

Awesome live album

10/10

one of the best live albums of all time

Not really sure stuff like this should be on the list. Proves their songs were pretty versatile though. All Apologies a personal favourite

Not heard most of this before. Wow, really beautiful throughout. Usurps Bjork as my fav MTV Unplugged.

I was determined not to listen to this as I don’t like the idea of live and compilation albums on this list, but then succumbed to it in the knowledge that I’ve always really liked this set. It’s a classic of the genre.

Amazing album beginning to end

The most overrated band of all time doing unplugged versions of their sloppy covers and original noises. How we got Dave Grohl from this wreckage is a miracle no historian has been able to explain. It was nice of Pat Smear to show up to this and help out with a tuned guitar, because Kurt wasn't going to do that. And that guy simply cannot sing. He'd be cut off and kicked out of a townie bar's karaoke night where they put up with the burned out town bicycle who thinks her cigarette coated vocal chords sound like Janis Joplin. Simply awful, and this nonsense where we have to pretend Nirvana is something to be reverent toward is absolute trash. F-

Some of them yes some of them no. Liked it more than I thought I would. Would probably relisten.

I enjoyed listening to this, as I've heard it before and enjoyed it. I'd relisten.

Solid album. Meat Puppets covers are my favourite part. Already listened to the album so many times that I'm burnt out on most of the songs.

This is fine. I think the fact that my favorite Nirvana songs are the covers on this album is pretty telling.

Going to go against the grain here and say It's just good. I think I prefer when they're plugged

Iconic. Dripping with personality. Kurt delivers a ripping vocal performance that sounds like it hurts sometimes. There’s something so magical about hearing such intimate and personal versions of these very loud electric songs. Not even mentioning The Man Who Sold the World and Where Did You Sleep Last Night which are so ubiquitous from this set that they spawned countless covers of his covers. We probably owe NPR Tiny Desk to this album. 100% must listen.

I must have listened to this like 3 times in a row. Cobain delivers the Nirvana songs in such a way that they’re still very raw and gritty much like the originals, and easily talked the covers to a Nirvana-esque direction. And the whole thing is one take! I think they easily could have become just as famous had all their music been like this from the get-go. Just a shame half of them are covers.

Classic album that I've listened to dozens of times. The video version is worth a watch, as well. Nirvana is obviously known for grunge and heavy guitar riffs but this version, as with all "MTV Unplugged" versions of albums, peels all of that back so that you can appreciate the brilliance of the song writing without all of the distortion and volume (though I'm a fan of those things, as well). Easy 5/5.

This is a great album. I think you need to be at least familiar with their regular 'plugged in' to understand the success and hype of this album. in a stripped-down format, this album makes you feel like you are connecting with the band on a more personal level, which is also assisted with the candid conversations between songs. Although 'unplugged' albums saturated the 90's, there were 68 in total. this is one of the few that seem to matter to people which is probably a pretty good indication of how good it is. I know Kurt was a troubled soul but there is no denying his creativity and talent. Oh, and it contains the second-best version of 'The Man Who Sold The World' ever recorded.

I love this album. This would be one of my desert island albums! Not only is it nostalgic (its very nostalgic particularly for me at around 16 in the late 90s when my highschool sweetheart wanted to BE Kurt Cobain including his not-so-sweet end) but its also a huge marker in my music taste journey. This album is still on high rotation nearly 30 years on since I first heard it. It was great to listen to this on repeat and rewatch the MTV video on youtube - I'm so happy it landed on a weekend! Fave track is Man Who Sold the World (Sorry Bowie, this cover is better than the original, it's a hill I'll die on)

10/10

5/5 virkelig godt album super intimt og så er det acoustic rock/grunge. Totalt god live oplevelse

Just an amazing listen, you can hear the emptiness in Kurt's voice.

simplemente nirvana. me gusto pero no diria que me encanto

A legendary concert and probably one of the best live albums ever created. Absolute masterpiece throughout

Highlights: Jesus Doesn't Want Me For A Sunbeam, The Man Who Sold The World, Plateau, All Apologies. In a nutshell: sincere, authentic, stripped. Love them or loathe them, Nirvana on MTV Unplugged is the trio's best performance. Overall: 8/10

Boring

Fine, but no more than fine

Cracking album, highlights the man who sold the world and all apologies.

Great tunes, iconic performer, epic performance. Supplemented with some superb covers.

What’s to say really?

Still a brilliant album, seriously great to listen to

Absolutely brilliant, probably the best live album ever. I found it quite moving that it actually made me a bit emotional while listening. Truly unforgettable

Stunning album

I remember seeing it live when it first came out on MTV, thinking about how it was a stupid idea to make Nirvana play acoustically. Doesn't make sense. I suppose that's why most of this album is covers - that and the fact that Nirvana loved to do covers. This recording - with all of the conversations and quips between songs, the musical choices, Kurt Cobain's often faltering voice - is a document of his misplaced insecurity. If one allows oneself to ruminate on that, or the myriad other pains that come from being alive, then all that's left is nihilism, bitterness, disgust with oneself. We are never going to separate the art from the artist in the case of Nirvana. Selfishly, I imagine an alternate reality where he was somehow slightly less tortured. I want to enjoy the art, instead of it feeling like watching a car crash. I have no such morbid curiosity. And I do wish Kurt Cobain had just 1% more resilience. He was a musical genius. It seems like the stuff he left behind was a sketch, the real art was yet to come. Because of that, for me, Nirvana is always heart wrenching to listen, no matter how brilliant. Setting all of that aside, the album is a bit of a rollercoaster. You can just FEEL the disdain at having to play the "hits," which really brings the whole thing down. You can tell he is not well mentally or physically, exhausted. That energy blankets the entire album. The moments where he gives it some love, or uses the music to try and explain his tortured soul - Pennyroyal Tea, Apologies, Pines - are some of the most astonishing moments in rock music. It's not the best performance. Nirvana just doesn't work very well in the "unplugged" framework. The whole idea is a little tongue-in-cheek. By this point, Kurt Cobain was sick of it all and had enough. Which sucks for all of us.

I just can't stand unplugged in general.

feat. the most expensive guitar sold at auction.

Most of this is at least as good as I remember it from my younger years, from a time when I had yet to play guitar, so I never really noticed how poorly tuned it was for a lot of this. Regardless, it’s cool that they decided that previous Unpluggeds were just bands doing nothing but play their songs, changing nothing other than their electrics to acoustics. Nirvana wanted instead to adapt their songs to the format. And to great effect. I think Tiny Desk owes a lot to this particular album, but maybe that’s a little grandiose.

Iconic jam session for the time. Awesome songs in a great presentation. But -1 because, in the end, it’s just a greatest hits performance not a traditional album.

Coming out and saying it.... I am not a big Nirvana fan! Nothing wrong with this I just am realizing it's not for me.

Iconic

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.

Perfect. Basically no skips. I’ll have to find this on vinyl

Far from their best

Great album, lots of emotion.

Excellent. This is what an unplugged album should be. Cobain's raw vocals, the use of strings, everything.

De lo que había escuchado hasta ahora de Nirvana no encontraba nada que me apasionara, y la verdad es que ver que esto era un directo me daba bastante pereza. Pero la verdad es que este es de los álbums en directo buenos, con pasión puesta por parte del grupo, entretenido de principio a fin y sin que sea simplemente una recopilación de grandes éxitos. Muy recomendable. Canción destacada: Come As You Are

Classic album - nirvana covering vaselines, meat puppets and lead belly - what is not to like

Love this

I can’t help but wonder if the reason for this album being considered essential is partly due to the tragedy that befell Kurt Cobain only a few months later. I do enjoy this album, it’s a nice stripped back version of a lot of great Nirvana songs, but I think I’d still pick the studio recorded versions every time. There are definitely occasions where bands sound better on live albums than the studio versions, but this is not one of those times. Again, it’s still a nice listen, but I’m not quite sure what makes this an essential listen.

83% Best: Come As You Are; The Man Who Sold The World; Something In The Way; All Apologies Must-Hear? Sure

I lived through Nirvana at the perfect time. I was in high school when Nevermind came out and changed “rock” music. Sure there were other alternative bands, but they weren’t commercially successful so if you wanted to check them out you had to buy their cd (pre internet and pre cd burners were the dark ages). Just prior to this performance, they had reached mainstream and I remember being sick of them (or maybe sick of the hype) so I didn’t really give it any attention. Listening to it now with objective ears- it’s good!

My God, they were soooo good.

Nothing needs to be said. This is a perfect album.

It's quite a statement. A live album with minimal production. Even to a casual listener, it's interesting to hear the slick versions of those songs. I still prefer the studio versions tho.

I have listened to this album so much when it came out - it's difficult to give an objective opinion on it (but since when do we need rationality in music). It's a 5 for me... I love it, and its legacy is huge (not just because Kurt Cobain died a tragic death). I see youngsters with Nirvana T-shirts on an almost daily basis. Nirvana originals have been completely reworked, I think we weren't expecting a grunge band to do this at the time. Add a few fantastic covers (Bowie, Leadbelly etc.) and you have a stonker of an album. A true classic.

Unplugged brings a relaxed soft richness to the tracks

Very good. Showcases Cobains vocals and songwriting, giving a different perspective on classic you’ve heard 1000 times.

Great. Forgot how sexy Kurt Cobain‘s growl was.

MTV Unplugged by so many bands, especially Nirvana, was so overplayed back in the day. I'm still recovering.

good set with a couple standout tracks but i’m not the biggest fan of nirvana

Probably my favorite live album if I had to pick. Still just rather listen to the real songs.

Superb, as everything by Nirvana. They are known as the last big rock band for a reason. This acoustic album was a generation's cornerstone, probably the most influential MTV Unplugged album. My favorite moment is the David Bowie cover, which manages to move me. Amazing album.

Couldn't be anything else than a five. Sometimes horrible but truly iconic vocals, fantastic songs and some greater-than-the-original covers.

elite

Great live and acoustic performances by KC and co

Pretty great

Not sure if I will listen again, but amazing in every way.

Gorgeous album. 5/5

Classic. Loved how they mostly did lesser known songs and covers. Great selection with the Lead Belly, Bowie, and Meat Puppets. Tasteful inclusion of the cello and the subdued renderings of the songs, yet bursting with dark heavy emotions and tension. Looming over the album is of course what would happen to Kurt, and the unknown art we will never hear that he could have made. The way he sang Where Did You Sleep Last Night can haunt your soul, his voice.

Would give this six stars if I could

The best live album ever recorded? Probably.

classic, could use less shotguns

Nirvana was never nowhere close to as good as they got credit for. This album is no different. There are two great tracks on this album, but both Bowie and Lead Belly nailed them on the originals, so what's the point?

Don't need to listen to this again...but I will. An absolute classic that even (maybe especially) non-nirvana fans should give a listen. This is an album to fall in love with Kurt Covains voice

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

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

Nirvana blows

It’s ok! Some songs are absolute gems.

its good but live albums are hard and weird to judge like this with all of the others. how much more do you have up your sleeve mr dimery

This is by far one of the top 20 LPs of all time. As far as Unplugged sessions go, this is the gold standard. While not a huge fan or Nirvana, this is nothing short of perfect. Real Raw. Powerful and a testament of this bands music.

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

Their cover of Man who sold the World is one of my favourite covers full stop! I remember watching this on MTV and being blown away by how good they all were. Gave me fresh respect for them as musicians. Still a great listen all these years later.

4 chords, 2 stars

Kurt is daddy Sad boi hourz 5/5

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

A third of this is mid

6 of these 14 songs are covers, and pretty obscure ones at the time. Good on Kurt for shining a light on the talents of Meat Puppets, The Vaselines, and a lesser known Bowie tune. And closing out with an aching rendition of that Lead Belly song is viscerally powerful. Long live Nirvana. Worst track: Pennyroyal Tea

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

The best part is the very beginning when he clowns all the new fans about how they've never heard Bleach.

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

I like some of Nirvana's work and I think they might be better unplugged than plugged. There's a couple really good tunes on here, but much of Cobain's vocals sound like a man whining painfully - not as bad as Radiohead's lead, but kind of annoying at times.

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

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

Emotionally stirring, love this

Definetly some memorable songs Enjoyed main chunk of album , some filler songs though 4/5

You could probably teach an entire college class solely on this album alone. Although this is still Nirvana at its core, it's almost if they were on the verge of a new era of sound. Of course, we all know in the aftermath just 4 months after the recording that we would never be blessed with that new sound with the death of Cobain. Nevertheless, this live album should be seen as an uncanny glimpse into the last moments of Nirvana and what could have been in another life.

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

De cara já digo que, embora seja considera por muitos obra-prima do Nirvana, não é o melhor disco para se apresentar alguém que nunca ouviu a banda antes. Das 14 músicas do repertório, 6 são covers/versões de outras canções. Das 8 restantes, apenas 3 eu já tinha escutado previamente. Hoje sabemos que foi uma escolha do Kurt em optar por músicas menos conhecidas do cancioneiro da banda. Também senti uma falta de peso/preenchimento na equalização (?) nas primeiras músicas, o que se arrumou ao decorrer do álbum. Sobre a execução, tenho a impressão de que o Kurt está sofrendo para cantar todas as músicas. A voz dele parece que não chega onde tem que chegar, mas ainda assim ele continua tentando entregar. Já na parte instrumental, achei tudo bem completo e redondo, apenas senti falta do peso do baixo em algumas músicas, principalmente nas primeiras. As músicas não me empolgaram, embora algumas tenham chamado atenção. - "Come As You Are" ficou um arranjo bem legal, embora tenha sentido falta do peso do baixo nela. - "The Man Who Sold the World" é decente, embora eu prefira muito mais o original de David Bowie. Parece que faltou preenchimento nela não só de equalização, mas principalmente de instrumentação. Tinha potencial. - "Something in the Way" tem um ar bem soturno e ficou bem fiel à versão original. Das originais do Nirvana foi a melhor execução instrumental e vocal. - "On Me" e "Lake of Fire", ambos cover do Meat Puppets, tem uma das progressões mais legais, mas é nítido um desânimo na voz do Kurt. - "Where Did You Sleep Last Night", que também é um cover, pra mim é o ápice do álbum e a melhor performance do Kurt em todo o disco. Pena que tenha sido apenas na última música. O disco tem uma proposta decente. Se a ordem das músicas fossem rearranjadas, alguns outros elementos musicais fossem incluídos, e o Kurt não parecesse tão sofrido ao cantar (ou até mesmo desanimado), pra mim o álbum poderia ser bem mais marcante. Acho que isso vale pra tudo o que já ouvi do Nirvana: a história e o marco que deixaram é mais legal do que a execução em si. Triste, porque o grunge é um período que gosto muito na música.

2 stars. Not a bad album, but it doesn't work for me. The three songs I enjoyed aren't enough to make me sit through all of it. Also the fact that Kurt keeps saying "I'm gonna butcher this song" is so fucking annoying. Like, brother, just play the damn song and let us decide (he butchered most of them). About a Girl: A song that works better when you're a teen with a guitar trying to bang that one chick that wears way too much mascara. Come As You Are: The opening riff for this one is the first thing I learned to play on Guitar to impress that one chick that wears way too much mascara. Jesus Doesn't Want Me For a Sunbean: I always skipped this one and now I remember why ♡ The Man Who Sold The World: Amazing Rendition of a Great Song. Wish Seu Jorge had recorded it for Life Aquatic sessions. Pennyroyal Tea: Not a big fan of the rendition, but a good song nonetheless Dumb: 🤷🏽 ♡ Polly: This song is so fucking good. His voice lends itself perfectly for the tone of the song. On a Plain: Every Nirvana song sounds like you're 12 and this is deep. "The finest day I've ever had is when I learned to smile on command" Bottom Text ♡ Something in the Way: Although I disagree with the morals of consuming sea creatures, I must admit this song is a banger. Plateau: Ranking high on "First songs I learned as a Teenager". His voice is not really suited for this song. Oh Me: Pretty forgettable track. Lake of Fire: Yee Haw. All Apologies: I really can't vibe with songs that are so "omg i'm not like the others". It's like they lack self awareness, idk. Not my thing Where Did You Sleep Last Night: Nirvana is just Falcão for people who know what depression is.

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

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

Iconic album. One of the first unplugged session on MTV, but not sure it necessarily makes it a classic even if it is a reasonably good album

Decent set.

I haven't listened to this album in a long time. It is unexpected when you consider it in the context of what Nirvana is known for. They also did a nice job of covers and not playing to the audience. A true work of art.

Another underwhelming one for me, despite the clear influence the band had at the time. Some charismatic moments in the recording and I enjoyed many of the tracks (Plateau was a highlight for me). Overall, though, I found the muted sound and Cobain's apathetic delivery a bit of a drag. Maybe one for enjoying in the right mood.

My heart

Love it.

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

It’s good. Not a big fan of the covers, I don’t think the live recordings add much compared to the recorded, in general just feels like a Nirvana greatest hits album.

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

depressing

This live album totally changed my perspective on Nirvana and in my opinion completely captures the potential of the MTV unplugged concept. Typically I don’t listen to much grunge, but in this stripped down format, these songs sound more like sinister folk music. The melodies really shine in these acoustic performances, and Cobain’s vocals have an especially haunting quality to it. The obscure covers and deep cuts make for an interesting setlist that continues to surprise, even if some of the songs started to blend together a bit by the end.

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

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

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

cool

Classic performance. Maybe the music alone is not a 5 out of 5 but there are historical elements to it. Has Some cool covers as well.

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

CD

This was a cool listen - I had never heard this live album before. I like Nirvana but a lot of these songs sound so similar to me (I hear people say that about TS and I get annoyed so trying to be sensitive because these songs are good). Enjoyed it!

It’s Ozk

Never really got into nirvana. Listening to this, I really don’t understand why. Great stuff.

I liked this more than I usually like Nirvana.

Perhaps not the greatest way to revisit Nirvana. Interesting covers. Enjoyed 'On A Plain'. 'Pennyroyal Tea' pretty woeful though. Not something I've ever gone to the trouble of listening to, and probably never will again despite being a youthful enthusiast first time around.

I love this album. It's better than any/all of their studio albums, IMHO.

I know Nirvana is an important group in the history of music. However, I think I would have enjoyed this more if I liked Nirvana more. I know this person wasn't the original singer but I can't get past the vocals: very nasal, raspy, and flat. 2/5 I will not be back to listen.

Blech.

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.

There is something magical about this album I find it hard to put my finger on. It feels like the magic of live music, stripped really bare, imperfections and all. Highlight: Where did you sleep last night

I know this was a critically acclaimed event and got tons of coverage back in the day... but I just don't like live albums... nor Nirvana... That said, compared to the other live albums I've had to endure on this list (and Nirvana's In Utero), this is slightly more tolerable... so I'll be generous and give it a 2...

This was fine.

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

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

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

hard not to love this

I don't really like Nirvana. Their sound is too abrasive for me personally, and Cobain's vocals are both ugly sounding and unintelligible, rendering the lyrics moot. Hearing Nirvana playing an acoustic(ish) set makes their instrumentation less abrasive, and I actually quite like how the guitars sound on this album. But Cobain's vocals are the greater problem here, and are as awful as they always have been. I think this album is as well regarded as it is mainly because of his death, which occurred not long after this was recorded. It's nothing special as a listening experience

Don't know about this one. Hard to see. Obviously great. Original. Influential. Can't pull the trigger on a five, though. 4

Teško da postoji bend koji mi izaziva veću nervozu od Nirvane, iz dna duše ih ne mogu čuti. Možda se Radiohead približava toj razini hejta, ali oni mi barem nisu iskakali iz paštete cijeli život. Po meni je Nirvana jako overrated i nikad nisam (!) razumjela ljude koji ih aktivno slušaju. Probala sam slušati nakon dugo godina otklanjanja sama sebe iz svake situacije gdje sam ih prisiljena slušati, ali jednostavno ne mogu. Jbg, znala sam da će biti tu i da će doći taj trenutak. A sad si idem pustiti nešto za oporavak od ovog. 1/5, 1/10

7/10 Nirvanu sam volio kao klinac u osnovnoj i zbilja sam ih se naslusao jer su se stalno vrtili doma. Danas volim povremeno koji hit cuti, ali mi ne dodje da si ih ikad doma pustim. Ovaj unplugged mi je vecinom dobar, jedino me oko sredine udavio (pogotovo Dumb - Polly - On A Plain), dok su mi vise chill, ali ne toliko popularne i depresivne Plateau i Oh Me dosta dobro sjele. Prijatna sedmica, više ne bih dao za ovo izdanje. Ajmo dalje.

This album feels like being able to walk into the house where i grew up and sit on our couch and watch the fireplace. Ancient comfort. Not a Nirvana fan, but the quiet acoustiqueness allows me to sit and listen and enjoy. I think I'm just happy.

The live unplugged format has both benefits and drawbacks for Nirvana. On the one hand, it makes them sound super-creepy, which I think is part of their appeal. Songs like "Come As You Are" (better in this rendition than on the record), "Man Who Sold The World" and the intense closer "Where Did You Sleep Last Night" just convey an especially uneasy feeling with this lighter sound and intimate delivery, removed from the massive over-production of "Nevermind". On the other hand, Cobain is really not a good singer, and that massive over-production was the only thing that got him to sound passable. Live acoustic just renders all of Cobain's limitations in startling clarity, along with all the other notes they play. That's how it works! And that's why producers (and listeners with pop sensibility) tend to like massive over-production. Those limitations are obvious within a few minutes of starting the CD. The best comp for this is "Jar Of Flies", which I hope makes the list. "Jar of Flies" is also a creepy, largely acoustic grunge CD, but on every conceivable dimension it blows this out of the water. The singers are better, the songs are deeper, the depth of sound and recording quality are better. Not to say "Unplugged" is bad - in a list of 1001, not everyone can be first. But even for this approach, it's not best-in-class. And this is the killer - it misses the thing that makes "Nevermind" so enduring and so captivating, which is the insane raw emotion in every track. So much of that comes through the palpable anger in their electrified delivery, and it's just lost here. Even at that though, there's only so bad a Nirvana greatest-hits CD can get.

A classic album and performance.

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

Generally not a fan of "non studio" albums on this list, but I think this deserves an exception. It's quite a stark contrast from Nirvana's normal heavy grunge sound, but they managed to make each song work really well acoustically. I actually prefer this version of 'Come As You Are' to the studio one, for example. The album is definitely a bit rough around the edges though, as you can tell the recording is not studio quality. Curt's singing is also a bit lacking at times, mainly in the beginning, but that is also part of their sound to some extent. Despite mostly positives, there are some songs on here that doesn't work very well acoustically as they probably do originally. 'Pennyroyal Tea' and 'On a Plain' are examples of this. In summary this is a very cool album that shows a different side of Nirvana than what you're used, and it works very well. Worth a listen for sure!

This was good but I don't think it warrants a 5 star. I've come to realize I'm not really a great fan of Nirvana. Their music is ok but I never find myself listening to them by my own volition. Anyhow, the best song for me on this album is clearly "The Man Who Sold The World" which is just a great cover. Generally, whenever I found a song I liked, it turned out to be a cover. Either by Bowie, Meat Puppets or Lead belly. The times I was bored was during the middle when it was only Nirvana songs. The sound is great, but it does get a bit samey with the vocals and chords progression. It all is just a bit too similar with mumble singing and a few minor chords. "Polly" is still as disturbing as ever, and I'm never sure if it's just exploitative or good. All in all, it is actually a good album. The covers a great and some of the originals are good too. I just don't think it warrants a 5 star.

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

i dont know if this is a controversial rating, but i like the studio recordings way more, and i think this album was boring

Memories

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

One word,: Kurt Cobain

Defined "unplugged" and inspired many musicians to follow suit. This was an event.

The downfall of a 5 star system! A clear 4.5 stars for me and have been deliberating whether to have it as a perfect 5 or not. It is iconic and the tracks are all familiar, but i'm not gripped when listening from start to finish.

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

Overall, it was good for a live album, but not great.

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

Best live album ever!

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

fet musikk, generelt ganske kjipe tekster, man who sold the world evig favoritt

Legendarisk band, legendarisk Unplugged, men for meg vil det alltid leve i skyggen av Alice in Chain sin Unplugged. Synes det er veldig kult å ta med covers og andre låter, men blir ikke like amazed av alle sangene her. Noe av sjarmen med Nirvana og grunge i sin helhet egentlig er hvor dystert og mektig musikken er. Her synes jeg det kan bli litt tynt til tider. Men har mange bangers da.

Nothing bad to say

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

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

absolutely killer

The best Nirvana album by some distance

I like this acoustic - unplugged version of Nirvana.

Gorgeous sound on this album.

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

Even though dozens of these were released only two really held up - Clapton’s (even though it perpetrated the horrendous version of Layla, the rest of it shows how good Eric can be when he puts a bit of effort in) and this one. It’s notable that both of them were really known as electric acts. (There are other good unplugged albums but aren’t really remembered. And a whole host of dire - I think the worst is Kiss, who didn’t even bother to rearrange their hits. They were literally unplugged. Awful.) I don’t worship at the shrine of Cobain. I am about his age, so could see exactly where he was coming from. This is not to deny his talent, but more to express how I didn’t see it as innovative and new in the way that many did. Not that I didn’t think it great. But it was more a return to form for rock music than new and wild. At least for me. Others felt differently. And he genuinely changed the world in a way very few did. This one is excellent. Cobain, never one to do anything near expected picks a group of songs that could have crashed and burned the whole thing. Instead, unusual choices give a pretty stunning performance. Of all the Bowie songs, man who sold the world. Of all the blues songs, where did you sleep last night. And it’s chilling. And compelling. A must hear (three in a row!) and a stone cold classic. 5 well earned and deserved stars

Easy 5. So mesmerising after knowing the recorded versions. To then see the raw, stepped back and stripped back and live versions blew us away. MTVs penance for killing live performance music was to do unplugged and for the young kids at the time it opened a whole new door. Superb in so many ways as a performance - a very precious disc.

This is a tough one to listen to. It's hard to consider this outside the circumstances of Cobain's imminent suicide. There were certainly plenty of indications that Kurt was not coping and in peril; reports of his escalating heroin use, the failed suicide attempt in Rome, and even this funereal performance. I am not convinced that this was a harbinger of a possible new musical direction for Nirvana (or Cobain solo) as some have suggested. There are reports that everyone was nervous that they could pull off the performance at all following brief and shambolic rehearsals, and some feared that Cobain could not perform at all due to nerves and drug withdrawal. I think the performance was lightning in a bottle; nobody really anticipated that they could do it, right up to the minute it happened. Cobain seems certain that he will screw up, and seems shocked himself by his reading of Leadbelly's Where Did You Sleep Last Night? (watch him gasp and his eyes open during a pause in the final line). It is the last dry breath of a collapsing god (to quote Patti Smith). I don't think Cobain or the band had much left in them after this. No encores, they're done. Is it a fitting epitaph? Is it the anomalous offering that proves that Nirvana were more than just loud and angry? I think that Cobain's death, inextricably linked to this performance, guaranteed the legend of Nirvana, not that that helped Kurt any. I think this is a uniquely vulnerable performance, never anticipated and never repeated, a single unfiltered moment from a man right at the end of his rope. It is astonishing and heartbreaking to see something so raw and true on an MTV stage of all places. This is an important and unique record in the history of rock, but maybe not suitable for regular listening. I still can't explain the presence of the Meat Puppets on this record. But this was not commodified rock for the masses, this was blood on the floor. Until, of course, it was packaged and released for your consumer pleasure at the local mall, just $9.99! Makes a great gift! Buy two!

Καποια απιστευτα performance εδω κι εκει. Ισως το καλυτερο live album ever, σιγουρα το αγαπημενο μου εως τωρα. Επειδη ειναι live album ομως 4.

Started very strong ("Come as you are" is one of my all-time favorite songs") and then finished less so. Enjoyed it very much nonetheless.

Ok

One of the top 5 live albums of all time, along with Sam Cooke Live at the Harlem Square Club, Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison & the GOAT Stop Making Sense by Talking Heads…not sure what the fifth would be.

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.

One of the best Unplugged albums released, along with Alice in chains and Neil Young. Not just playing their music on acoustic instruments, but rearrangements, along with some inspired and less well known covers. 5/5

Lyrics: 1/5 Music: 2/5 Production: 2/5 Cohesiveness: 2/5 Overall: 2/5 Stand out songs: The man who sold the world (but it is a cover) Sounds like your average high school band playing songs stood perfectly still on stage. It all just feels very high school band. Lyrics are very poor. Kurt’s voice does have the right level of raspiness to it in some songs which adds a good texture to the songs. The fact that this has such a high rating makes me feel like I’m missing something. But I don’t think I want to find whatever it is I’m missing. I’m happy not really enjoying this album

Perfect

About a Girl 8/10 - Guitar tone is subdued but sooo sick. Kurt sounds like he's trying too. The mixing is actually really good. Come as You Are 6/10 - The clapping is so polite lmao. Jesus Doesn't Want Me for a Sunbeam 4.5/10 The man who sold the world still one of the best songs ever, and this rendition might be my second favorite next to Midge Ure's. 9.5/10 Pennyroyal Tee 8.5/10 Leonard Cohen reference lol Dumb 3/10 Polly 5/10 On A Plain 6/10 Something in the way 7/10 LOOOL Plateau 7/10 - very pretty Oh Me 8/10 - Songwriting is great Lake of Fire 8.5/10 - These covers are really nice sounding god All Apologies 5/10 - Not the biggest fan tbh Where Did You Sleep Last Night 7/10 - OG is goated

Нененене..

Love Nirvana. Some great songs on a live album unplugged.

5/5

Great!!!

Qué decir de este disco, que es uno de lo que más veces escuché en mí vida?

Overrated. 'Where did you sleep last night' was the best song for me. 2/5

Nirvana....

classic, even I know this one

So good, counter for its time, didn't play the 'hits', covers out the wazoo. Feels like home. A five for all of that.

One of the all time best live albums. The acoustic environment, dialogue from Kurt and the guys, and a setlist that includes unique covers and unexpected songs (and almost no "hits") is so Nirvana. Where Did You Sleep Last Night may even be one of their best songs. My only gripe is the song Pennyroyal Tea which I've never been huge on. Otherwise perfect. 4.8/5 -> 5/5

I am actually already a very big nirvana fan - I have 10 nirvana tattoos! I will still re-listen to this album though :D!!!!! 5/5

I’m

Fantastic. I always knew Nirvana were a big deal, so big a lot of people try to distance themselves from liking them because they're too mainstream, I just call those people dumb; Nirvana is well awarded and recognized for a reason, and that reason is that they're fucking good.

All hail the kings of grunge! The nonchalant musicianship and self deprecation bring you in like no other. Not too cool to fully lean into playing someone else’s songs entirely. Emotion ratcheted up to 11. What a send off!

. This one is gonna be hard but it is probably a 5/5 but I almost don’t consider this a Nirvana album because its own thing and half the track listing is covers. That being said there are some AMAZING covers here - “Jesus Doesn’t Want Me For A Sunbeam” has that beautiful accordion played by Krist Novoselic (Weird Al would be proud) “The Man Who Sold The World” blows the David Bowie original out the water! Same goes for the three Meat Puppets songs “Plateau”, “Oh,Me” , and the winner among these “Lake Of Fire” When I watched the Live video of this album and he played the Nirvana In Utero track “All Apologies” I thought to myself how do you follow that up and end the show. Well To my surprise with this Lead Belly traditional song “Where Did You Sleep Last Night”. The last bit where Kurt starts “scream sing” and holds “I shiver” and takes a moment and finishes the last lines “ The whole… night through” is one of his best Vocals performances hands down. Now all the Nirvana tracks picked for this were obviously the right choices. No big singles or heavy songs like “Smells Like Teen Spirit”, “In Bloom” , “Lithium,”“Heart Shaped Box” etc etc What we get here are some of their more quiet moments or I guess more pop orientated material. “About A Girl” was a crazy move at the time because this was a song of their first album “Bleach”. But it sets the mood and is almost early Beatles in feel (as Kurt was a big Beatles fan). This is a Great opener The next track “Come As You Are” is the closest we get to a BIG nirvana single on here. Now out of all the ones off “Nevermind”to pick , it again is the right choice for this show. “Pennyroyal Tea” on here might even be better than its “In Utero” counterpart. It comes off more heartfelt and longing “DUMB” is my all time FAVOURITE Nirvana song and glad it’s on here. This song is so good and the Cello really ties it together. Next two “Polly” and especially “On A Plain” Lighten the mood at least musically and put a little pep in your step and make it so this isn’t all down and out. “Something In The Way” and as mentioned above “All Apologies” which are both last tracks on their respective albums (Nevermind & In Utero) definitely are two of the best moments of their own material. Again this record is a hard one for me to rate cause on one hand it’s AMAZING. But it’s almost not Nirvana and is this little side thing. Part of me wants this to be all Original material and makes me wonder if Kurt and rest of band didn’t have faith in their material for this kinda event. We can speculate all day. For what it is (It’s own thing) it’ll get a 5/5 Thank You Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic, Dave Grohl , and Pat Smear for being one of the greatest 90s BANDS of all time.

I think that I can see the appeal of Nirvana by listening to this album. It’s not bad and it stays entertaining but did not seem too amazing.

Ok. Nothing great

Kurt’s voice in this performance is incredible. I love this dude if Nirvana that no one had seen before or even knew was possible. The tone of the songs is perfect. I’ve listened to this album countless times, but I’ve never watched it. I may need to do that.

Surprisingly, I didn’t hate this as much as I usually hate Nirvana. Still not something I’d listen to by choice though.

Slightly as I expected, the best songs on this are the ones Nirvana didn't come up with - it's all a bit too mawkish, up itself not quite rock and I'm just not here for it - sorry Kurt, it's a solid "meh" from me. Faves: The Man Who Sold the World

This album brings me back to my middle school years. These songs are just as good today - raw, emotional and intimate. The album highlights what could have been had Kurt Kobain's tragedy been avoided.

I quite literally experienced nirvana while listening to this. Just kidding, it was metaphorical. Also I didn’t

This didn't feel all that unplugged imo

i have historically been a nirvana hater but i am coming around to appreciating them as i near my 30s and i revert back to being a depresso angsty guy

Good album, hadn’t really found a nirvana album that I really jived with but this album was definitely the one, may delve further into the discography, I’ve already listened to Nevermind but should probably listen to In Utero

perhaps the most known Nirvana Album and rightfully so

They'll never get any better, they'll never get any worse. There's something magical about this album and all the songs are my favourite.

The MTV Unplugged album series had some absolute belters, and this one is up there near the peak. I think it's only the Alice In Chains one I like more. An easy 5. Fave tracks - "Come As You Are", "The Man Who Sold the World", "Where Did You Sleep Last Night" - really, though, they're all bangers!

I was fourteen years old when I heard on the radio that Kurt died. I was in the backseat of my family's ancient minivan at a random crappy street corner in Memphis. It was a Friday afternoon and I didn't leave my bedroom until the following Monday morning when I had to go to school. The truth is that this live album isn't very consistent. This version of Come As You Are is dialed in, like something you'd hear at a bar off the interstate on a road trip. On the other hand, these versions of Something In The Way and Where Did You Sleep Last Night are some of the darkest, most evocative music you may ever choose to listen to. It's some of his best work. In the thirty years since Kurt died, I have watched countless friends die in the most awful, fucked up ways. At least a dozen overdoses and a few really dark suicides. I'm a dual diagnosis psychiatric and substance use disorder nurse now. I don't listen to Nirvana very much these days, nowhere near as much as I did in my early teens. But I think of Kurt often when a patient comes up to me during detox looking sweaty and sick and needing comfort meds. Where Did You Sleep Last Night runs through my head at least once a week when I'm digging through my med cart for Clonidine and Valium. I long for a time traveling societal redo where medication assisted treatment was possible for Kurt. It didn't have to be this way.

Not a massive fan of live albums but this is so raw and intimate. Classy covers rock on

MTV Unplugged in New York is a live album by Nirvana, originally released in 1994. Such a legendary live album. I actually prefer some of these live cuts to their studio counterparts. There was a mad dash in the 90s to get a bunch of grunge bands on Unplugged, and I really respect how Nirvana stood out amongst the other Unplugged performances. While not my favorite (that goes to AIC), this performance stands out so much to me because of the way the band approached it. For one, they differed from Pearl Jam in that they kept the songs quiet. Dave Grohl is typically a loud and powerful drummer yet he keeps it very chill on here. The other is obviously the setlist. Shying away from pretty much all their hits to play mostly covers. What a gutsy move! The covers are great too. All around legendary performance and is required listening.

This is an essential MTV Unplugged show. It has its highs and lows, regarding the repertoire and Kurt's performances, but the highs are very high, raw and unforgettable.

Some heavy nostalgia- it’s difficult to be objective here, because this was a formative album for me that introduced me to a lot of other music and down deep music rabbit holes. I guess there’s one song that could be cut (“oh me”), but it’s still a great song. 4.5.

MTV Unplugged in New York captures Nirvana’s raw emotion and versatility. The stripped-down “About a Girl” and “Something in the Way” reveal new depths, while their haunting cover of David Bowie’s “The Man Who Sold the World” is unforgettable. Guest performances with the Meat Puppets on “Plateau” and “Lake of Fire” add richness, but the true highlight is Cobain’s anguished delivery of Lead Belly’s “Where Did You Sleep Last Night.” This acoustic set redefines their sound, blending vulnerability and power in a timeless, soul-stirring performance.

4.5

Listened to all non unplugged songs on this album and a few unplugged. It was nice to listen to it all together. Cobains vocals are so raw I love the contrast from what they usually sound like.

Nirvana at their best and probably the best live performances of the 90s. Raw, emotional, etc. though there is a strange feeling like seeing an animal in a zoo, just something about Nirvana performing sitting quietly in an MTV studio just seems wrong.

Just a fantastic live album. Can't really fault it. Not a huge Nirvana fan, but can't deny the skill and talent by all the musicians.

Another fucking live album?

Easily my favourite Nirvana album. I always thought they were the most over rated grunge band gut this works.

Easy 5. This performance was legendary! RIP MTV. Tossup between 'The Man Who Sold The World' and 'Where Did You Sleep Last Night' for faves. Both were excellent.

Obligatorisk femma. Kurts röst så bra

Nunca escuché Nirvana en profundidad, pero de este MTV unplugged me llevo una grata sorpresa, me gusto el ambiente super chill, la selección de temas en general me gustaron y el cover de Bowie es excelente.

Always on rotation

Extremely biased, because if you asked me even before starting this project what my favorite album is, I'd say this. But I honestly think that, bias aside, this is an incredible performance.

This may be my favorite of Nirvana's catalog. I bought it on vinyl a few years ago, and it is amazing. It makes you nostalgic for what might have been. Five stars.

Pretty classic, love hearing these guys in this format/setting.

cant ever go wrong with nirvana. 10/10 definetly reccomend it.

the album come as you are is pretty good and the reason i think its good is because the guitar sounds gives sorta an old timey sound and i like that it also reminds me of a show i watched. the lyrics sound like their about a friend who used to be his enemy and they get together again and sounds like the guy singing is wanting him to rest like a memorial which could mean he wants him to stop and think or it could mean something else. also him saying i don't have a gun is like him trying to gain his friends trust i think this album is pretty good i would recommend listening to this album.

Do you like catchy songs??? If so, then this is the album for you! Nirvana is a very catchy rock band, and some songs the lyrics don't make sense but they are what make the songs sound good. They have an amazing guitarist, and they keep the beat. Also I love the songs because they are nostalgic to me. So that is why I recommend that you listen to this album.

...So. Nirvana. In my opinion, it's one of the best bands out there. I LOVE this album! I love all of the different instruments in it, and I love the lead singer, I mean, it's unique. I love this album and I think that you would too! I highly recommend this album!

not much of a fan its meh alright i guess

Not as perfect as the Alice in Chains unplugged, but still a very good addition for an artist with a limited discography, including some amazing covers. A

Great versions of some of the bands best material. Also some awesome covers.

Amazing! Kurt's voice is the star of this album!

Killer album. It was great when it came out and it has stood the test of time. I also agree with the critic's pick on this one. Great choice from a great band.

I get Nirvana now. Favourite track: The Man Who Sold The World.

To be honest, I don't really like this one. I feel like the acoustic format mostly robs the songs from their power and Kurt sounds a little bit like everyone else that tried to imitate him later in the 90s. There are exceptions - The Man Who Sold the World, Dumb, and Something in the Way all sound incredible- but this might be because they are already calm/acoustic sounding. I think this performance might be better watched than listened to. Still a good 4 overall by the strength of the songs and the best performances.

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

Excellent.

Great

Great

Nirvana cool

Absolute juxtaposition of their punk pop roots. The covers are splendid and the order of songs is so precise.

Als das Album von Nirvana damals auf dem Markt kam, freute ich mich riesig darauf. Ich liebe unplugged. Die Originalsongs werden durch handgemachte Musik aufgewertet. Aber als ich die Trackliste studierte, war ich ziemlich enttäuscht. Nirvana hat nicht seine Hits akustisch serviert, sondern noch viel mehr daraus gemacht. Es ist ein Meisterwerk und ergänzt sich hervorragend zu seinem Gesamtkatalog.

(9.8) ★★★★½

I don't think their songs translates that well to an acoustic setting, although some of the covers are great. 3.5 stars

Great live set that did an excellent job of showing the more rustic side of America's favorite abrasive grunge band. A lot of their originals didn't translate to the unplugged format, so the set relies heavily on covers -- from Bowie, Leadbelly, and three songs from Meat Puppets II. 4.5 stars.

Cool acousticy album. Cool setlist and versions. Ladbaby cover at the end is cool.

Tää nyt on aika ikonien live. Nirvanan kappaleet toimii akustisena mutta toisaalta se sai monen kappaleen kuullostamaan aika samalta. Hyvä live kuitenkin. Tää levy kyllä korostaa Nirvanan riffejä. Parhaat: About A Girl, Come As You Are, Polly, Plateau, The Man Who Sold The World, All Apologies

Showcases the incredible quality of Kurt’s voice in its unique tonality and his ability to so personally tell a story in each song. An iconic album in the eyes of many

База. Очень хороший лайв альбом. И классно, что песни Нирваны хорошо исполняются только на акустике

It's often scary to go back to albums of your childhood. Records that held a deep place in your heart over a decade ago, what if they lose their magic after all? What if it doesn't *work* the way it used to. Nah, not the case here. MTV Unplugged, you're every bit as powerful and beautiful as the day I've last heard you.

5. Great way to take a break from the day.

This unplugged session was recorded just months before Kurt Cobain’s death. Although it got overplayed in the ‘90s and I’ve heard it countless times, you have to admit that it’s a solid farewell album for Nirvana. It veers away from their grunge sound but still captures the band’s essence, serving as a memorable closing chapter for them. And I have to mention—their cover of David Bowie’s “The Man Who Sold the World” is probably one of the best renditions any artist has ever done of a Bowie song.

FINALLY!

happy belated 30th

Clean acoustic set Emotionally wrenching Nostalgic album

Intimate grunge, the choice to have the cello and the guitar electric gives it a unique feeling. Cobain really in his element

Great music. Defined a generation.

I like depressing rock music so this was fun.

30 years and 4 days since its release, at the time of writing this review. It's a classic, one of the ultimate collections of acoustic reinterpretations in existence. The difference between the studio and unplugged version of About A Girl is phenomenal, it's a standout along with All Apologies and Where Did You Sleep Last Night. I never appreciated the harshness of grunge in my formative years, but MTV Unplugged is the album that allowed Nirvana to shine through to me.

First time I've listened front to back... what an emotional journey this album is. It offers the listener an introspective lens into Kurt's psyche, and is far and away the band's most intimate live performance. As another reviewer described it - with the 'death' of MTV coming not too long after this performance, and hindsight being what it is, this almost feels like a funeral procession for the network itself. There is a rawness to the sound as a whole that is, IMO, harder to find these days. Dave Grohl may be a cheating spouse, but he understood Nirvana's sound like no other - which is exemplified in his 'less is more' approach to the drumming in this performance. Also, his black turtleneck is legendary.

There is nothing I can say about Nirvana that hasn't already been said. Instead, I'm going to repost my Nirvana tribute from the Nevermind album. -- Once upon a time, there was a man who possessed an incredible talent, and great pain. He lived a remarkable life, cut much too short. He created a world for all of us, to stop by as long as we want. In that world, you can come as you are, as you were, just as he wants you to be. Take a rest, as a friend, as an old memoria. You can listen - with the lights out, it's less dangerous. Here we are now, entertain us. Get away, away, away from your home. We might be afraid, but he is but a ghost. We can visit his world, and while there, we could plant a house, we could build a tree. He's the one who taught us to love ourselves better than you. We're the ones who likes all his pretty songs, and we like to sing along, and we like to shoot our guns. But we know not what he means. We'll forever wonder why he'd rather be dead than cool. So let's light our candles for him, 'cause one day he found God. RIP.

Nirvana vs the cult of cobin, separate the sound from the myth, this is actually good