I really love this album. It gives you a real taste of what Nirvana was like in concert. The editing is such that it seems that you are listening to one whole concert, even though the album is culled from many live performances. Here are the tracks:
1 - Intro - Just a cut of pre-show noise. Has some conversation between Kurt and Krist. Then Kurt screams for some fun, and then we get...
2 - School - This is a "Bleach" cut. It's really well done. It churns and smashes in true form. It isn't the best, but it's a good starter.
3 - Drain You - Kurt's vocals are great. Very raw and it's a great reinterpretation. I would say better than studio, which is saying a lot.
4 - Aneurysm - I love this take. The vocals are hilarious. It's really tight.
5 - Smells Like Teen Spirit - Not even close to the studio version, but it's cool to hear Krist stomp on his distortion pedal during Kurt's solo.
6 - Been A Son - This is a marvelous cover of a Vaselines song. Bursts with energy and it rocks. Kurt loved the Vaselines, and it really shows.
7 - Lithium - I hate this one. The whole take is sharp. Not even close to studio.
8 - Sliver - Krist is so good in the beginning. His tone is awesome. Pat's entrance is marked by some horrific feedback. Kurt concentrated harder on his vocals on the "In Utero" tour, so I think there's more guitar from Pat. Pat's always on the left channel.
9 - Spank Thru - There is a reason why they didn't release this on "Incesticide" or anything else. ...
10 - Scentless Apprentice - For my money, I'd say this track is the best on the album. Bar none. If you listen to the left channel alone on this, you can see why Pat was an idol to both Kurt and Dave. Everyone is in great form, but this is really Pat's track. His distortion is the best EVER. Much, much better than the "In Utero" version, and that was one of my favorite cuts on "In Utero". The fast tempo is great.
11 - Heart-Shaped Box - This is nowhere near "In Utero"'s version. Kurt's solo here though is awesome. Heavy, heavy chorus effect on his solo.
12 - Milk It - Again, Pat is in great form. Listen to him on the left channel (for those of you who don't know what I mean, pan to the left speaker alone.) He's great. Recorded shortly before Kurt died. Really good. It does sound like a Rotovibe is used, although I know no one in Nirvana ever used one. Something with the mixing?
13 - Negative Creep - Pure headbanging enjoyment! I love that thing about "Great Caesar's ghost!" at the beginning.
14 - Polly - Pretty [bad] prethink of the song. It is truly meant to be acoustic and slow, or clean electric when there isn't an acoustic around.
15 - Breed - Don't like this too much either. Channing's drumming is inferior to Grohl's drumming, and you just need that distorted bass.
16 - Tourette's - Krist's intro is simply hilarious. I love the first title - "The Eagle Has Landed". But it needed that thing about "moderate rock" at the beginning.
17 - Blew - So sweet. Great way to end. Double bass drumming!
Great live album.
The Songs :
- Intro
- School
- Drain You
- Aneurysm
- Smells Like Teen Spirit
- Been A Son
- Lithium
- Sliver
- Spank Thru
- Scentless Apprentice
- Heart-Shaped Box
- Milk It
- Negative Creep
- Polly
- Breed
- Tourette's
- Blew
