🎸 2024 Albums #6

This was the album where I realised that distorted grunge bands could have musical depth. They can play other styles, and sound good.

It’s a great live album, and it’s Nirvana, of all bands, but acoustic. It’s all about natural sounds, including Kurt Cobain’s voice. As a young teen finding my musical tastes, I loved “Nevermind”, because basically everyone getting into rock/punk/etc does. But “Unplugged” was another level. I remember obsessing over it with a friend, being so impressed that it shows they were actually a talented band, and that Cobain really could sing, playing songs like The Man Who Sold the World, and not just shouting and trying to be controversial.

I loved that it’s not just Nirvana’s greatest hits but acoustic, too. They do great covers of bands I’d never heard of before or since, like The Vaselines and The Meat Puppets.

I listened to this so much as a teenager. I re-listened today and so much was coming back to me, even little comments between songs. It’s amazing how this stuff gets burned in to your memory.