Maps of Music

In Utero (1993)

Where the lyrics of In Utero take you, and where it was really made.

Recorded in six days to undo Nevermind's polish, the album's own label reportedly questioned its release, and two singles were remixed afterward.

Key places

Pachyderm Studios, Cannon Falls (1993)

Recording site Pachyderm Studios — Nirvana traveled to Pachyderm Studios in Cannon Falls in February 1993 to record the album. Recording began on 13 February and the sessions were completed on 26 February. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Mastering in Portland, Maine (1993)

Recording site Bob Ludwig's studio, Portland, Maine — The band tried to address their concerns during the mastering process with Bob Ludwig at his studio in Portland, Maine. Ludwig mastered the album for a more radio-friendly result. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Album story

Overview

• In Utero is the third and final studio album by American rock band Nirvana
• First released 13 September 1993 in the UK and Europe; international release 21 September on DGC Records
• Nirvana hired Steve Albini to give the album a more abrasive tone
• The band was displeased with the polished production of Nevermind (1991)
• Bob Ludwig mastered the album for a more radio-friendly result
• Scott Litt remixed the singles 'All Apologies', 'Heart-Shaped Box' and 'Pennyroyal Tea'
• Last studio album released before Cobain's death

Background

• Nevermind (1991) brought Nirvana into the mainstream
• In 1992 Cobain said he was interested in recording with Jack Endino or Steve Albini
• Cobain chose Albini because he had produced Surfer Rosa and Pod
• Cobain wanted Albini's method of capturing a room's natural ambience with several microphones
• Albini was known in the American independent scene for criticizing the mainstream music industry

Recording

• Recorded in February 1993 at Pachyderm Studios in Cannon Falls, Minnesota
• Nirvana paid for the sessions with their own money, at Albini's suggestion
• Studio fees totaled $24,000; Albini took a flat fee of $100,000 and refused royalties
• Recording was completed in six days; the sessions were completed on February 26
• Albini surrounded Grohl's drum kit with about 30 microphones
• After the sessions, the band asked Albini to remix the album, but he declined
• 'Heart Shaped Box' and 'All Apologies' were remixed at Bad Animals Studio in Seattle in May 1993

Cover

• Cover image shows a Transparent Anatomical Manikin with angel wings superimposed
• Art director Robert Fisher had designed all of Nirvana's DGC releases
• The back cover collage was made by Cobain and photographed by Charles Peterson

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Tracklist

Sources: musicbrainz.org

Artist

Formation

• Nirvana is an American rock band formed in Aberdeen, Washington, in 1987.
• Founded by Kurt Cobain (vocals, guitar) and Krist Novoselic (bass).
• Went through several drummers, including Chad Channing, before Dave Grohl joined in 1990.

Members

• Kurt Cobain: lead vocals and guitar, principal songwriter.
• Krist Novoselic: bass.
• Dave Grohl: drums, joined in 1990.

Career

• Part of the Seattle grunge scene; debut album Bleach released on Sub Pop in 1989.
• Signed to DGC Records in 1990; Nevermind (1991) became a cultural phenomenon, credited with ending hair metal's popularity.
• In Utero (1993) topped the US and UK album charts.
• Cobain died in April 1994; the band disbanded that year.
• MTV Unplugged in New York (1994) won a Grammy for Best Alternative Music Performance at the 1996 Grammys.
• One of the best-selling music artists of all time; inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Reception

At release

• Critics praised the album's lyrics and its raw, unconventional sound
• Time's Christopher John Farley wrote that the album might force the mainstream to go Nirvana, though the band had not gone mainstream
• Rolling Stone's David Fricke called it brilliant, corrosive, enraged and thoughtful, and a triumph of the will
• Entertainment Weekly's David Browne wrote that the music was often mesmerizing but was rock without release
• NME's John Mulvey had doubts and said the album was not quite there as a follow-up to Nevermind
• The Independent's Ben Thompson wrote that the album was beautiful far more often than it was ugly
• Q felt the album showed Cobain's songwriting abilities
• Several critics ranked it among the best releases of the year; it placed first and second in the album categories of the Rolling Stone and Village Voice Pazz & Jop polls
• It was nominated for Best Alternative Music Album at the 1994 Grammy Awards

Reappraisal

• Cobain biographer Charles R. Cross wrote in a 2003 Guitar World article that the album was a far better record than Nevermind
• Pitchfork named it the 13th best album of the 1990s in 2003
• Rolling Stone ranked it number 435 on The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, and 173 in its 2020 and 2023 updated lists
• Blender named it the 94th greatest American album in 2004
• NME ranked it number 35 on its 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list in 2013

Records

• Debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 with 180,000 copies sold
• Reached number one on the UK Albums Chart
• 'Heart-Shaped Box' and 'All Apologies' reached number one on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart
• Certified 6× platinum in the US for 6 million units
• Nielsen SoundScan reported 4,258,000 copies sold in the US in 2013
• Has sold 15 million copies worldwide

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Trivia

• Nirvana arrived at Pachyderm Studios without their equipment and spent much of the first three days waiting for it to arrive by mail.
• Novoselic convinced Cobain to change the album's title because of fear that the original could result in a lawsuit.
• Before the final title, the band considered Verse Chorus Verse and the working title Sappy.
• Wal-Mart and Kmart refused to sell the album, and both chains reportedly feared customers would be offended by the back cover artwork.
• DGC issued a new version to stores in March 1994 with edited artwork and 'Rape Me' retitled 'Waif Me'.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

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