The Independent recently revealed their picks for 25 most overrated albums ranked. What drew the attention of fans was that In Utero by Nirvana was also included in the list.
Nirvana’s In Utero, was dropped in 1993. It stands as a raw and powerful follow-up to their groundbreaking album Nevermind. It was produced by Steve Albini and the album stripped away the polished sound of its predecessor, delivering a more abrasive and unfiltered experience. Tracks like “Heart-Shaped Box” and “All Apologies” showcase Kurt Cobain’s intense lyricism and the band’s grunge roots.
In Utero captures Nirvana at their most authentic and reflects Kurt Cobain’s struggles with fame and inner turmoil. It remains a defining album of the grunge era, cementing Nirvana’s legacy in rock history.
Fans blast for labeling Nirvana album overrated
Famously, when the Geffen record executives first heard Nirvana’s highly anticipated follow-up to Nevermind, they pushed on having Steve Albini’s rough mixes of the album’s potential singles – “All Apologies”, “Pennyroyal Tea”, and “Heart-Shaped Box” – remixed by Scott Litt to appeal to a wider audience. Some people believe the album would have benefited from having the entire album remixed as well.
The Independent said that even if there was an attempt to return to the band’s raw pre-Nevermind essence, it could have been handled more skillfully. They further said Albini, known for his impactful work on albums like Pixies’ “Surfer Rosa” or The Breeders’ “Pod”, should have been the one to do it.
However, “In Utero” arrived with a heavy sound and rough texture. They feel that apart from the singles and the song “Rape Me”, Kurt Cobain’s songs often seemed unclear. The band’s signature loud-quiet-loud style became more like loud-muddy-loud-chainsaw. It was satisfyingly intense but somewhat messy.
However, fans didn’t take the outlet’s criticism lightly. Fans said that mocking the remixed tracks and then wishing all the others were remixed too is not good commentary. One fan highlighted that late Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain wanted to remove the pop music-centric fanbase the band attracted with Nevermind – and they succeeded. Moreover, fans feel it’s the best album in terms of themes and writing.
