From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ||||
Live album by | ||||
Released | October 1, 1996 | |||
Recorded | 1989–1994 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 53:55 | |||
Label | DGC | |||
Producer | Shauna O' Brien, Diane Stata | |||
Nirvana chronology | ||||
|
From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah is a live album by American rock band Nirvana, released on October 1, 1996 by DGC Records. It features live performances recorded from 1989 to 1994.
Compiled largely by bassist Krist Novoselic, it was released two years after the multi-platinum-selling live album, MTV Unplugged in New York , which was the first Nirvana album to be released after the suicide of the band's songwriter, singer and guitarist, Kurt Cobain, in April 1994. From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah was intended to show the band's heavier side, in contrast to the acoustic MTV Unplugged album, and was originally meant to be packaged alongside the MTV Unplugged set in a double album called Verse Chorus Verse , although most of what became From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah was eventually recompiled.
The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, selling nearly 159,000 copies in its first week of release. [1] It spent 25 weeks on the chart and became the band's sixth platinum album in the US since 1991. [2] The album's first promotional single, for the song "Aneurysm," reached number 11 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and number 13 on its Modern Rock Tracks chart, while its music video topped the charts on Much Music in Canada. A second promotional single, for the song "Drain You," charted briefly as well.
From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah was ranked ninth best album of 1996 in Rolling Stone's 1997 critics' poll. [3]
From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah was the second Nirvana album released following the death of vocalist and guitarist Kurt Cobain in April 1994. It was compiled primarily by bassist Krist Novoselic, who also wrote the album's liner notes. Novoselic and drummer Dave Grohl had originally intended to release a live album in 1994 to accompany what became MTV Unplugged in New York in a two-disc set originally titled Verse Chorus Verse (which had also been a working title for the band's final studio album, In Utero , as well as the title of two Nirvana songs). However, Novoselic and Grohl reportedly had a difficult time working on the album so soon after Cobain's death, and the album was compiled, but never mixed. [4] The original track list featured several songs not present on From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah—"Serve the Servants", "Dive", "Rape Me", "Sappy" and "Territorial Pissings"—and different versions of the overlapping songs, other than "Negative Creep" and "Scentless Apprentice".
The album's title refers to the Wishkah River in Aberdeen, Washington, where Cobain claimed to have spent nights sleeping under the Young Street Bridge as a teenager (as referenced in the song "Something in the Way", from Nevermind ). This claim has since been refuted by Novoselic, who said, "He never lived under that bridge. He hung out there, but you couldn't live on those muddy banks, with the tide coming up and down. That was his own revisionism." [5]
From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah avoids all songs that appear on MTV Unplugged, with the exception of "Polly", using a heavier, electric version of the song from 1989, as it was originally performed live. It also avoids using any versions of songs previously released as B-sides, or on the home video Live! Tonight! Sold Out!! , which had been compiled by Cobain, and was released in unfinished form in November 1994.
From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah uses three tracks from the band's show at the London Astoria on December 3, 1989, including "Intro," which features Cobain screaming at the start of the show over a distorted guitar as a vocal warm-up. It also uses "Polly" and "Breed," the latter of which then featured the working title "Imodium", [6] and a slower tempo than the version of the song which eventually appeared on Nevermind. These songs mark the only appearance of Chad Channing, the band's drummer from 1988 to 1990, on the compilation.
The London Astoria show was praised by the British music press at the time, [7] with the NME calling the band "Sub Pop's answer to The Beatles". [8]
Only one song, "Negative Creep," appears from the band's performance at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle on October 31, 1991, although the vinyl version features additional stage banter from this show on side four. [9] The Paramount concert was the band's first performance in Seattle since the release of Nevermind the previous month, and has retrospectively been described by English music journalist Everett True as "the end of an era" that showed that "incontrovertibly, Nirvana was now big news". [10]
"Negative Creep" became the eighth song from the show to be officially released, after "Drain You," "School" and "Been a Son" appeared as Nevermind b-sides in 1991 and 1992, and "About a Girl," "Breed," "Polly" and ""Endless, Nameless" appeared on Live! Tonight! Sold Out!!. The full show was released as Live at the Paramount on DVD in 2011, and on vinyl in 2019.
The version of "Spank Thru" which appears on the album was taken from the band's show at Teatro Castello in Rome, Italy on November 19, 1991. Although the show was professionally filmed and recorded, "Spank Thru" remains the only song from this concert to be officially released.
Nirvana were originally scheduled to play at the Melkweg in Amsterdam on November 24, 1991, but due to the band's increasing popularity, the show was rescheduled to a night later at the larger Paradiso in Amsterdam. [11] The versions of "School," "Lithium," "Been a Son" and "Blew" on the compilation are all taken from this show.
As with the Paramount show, several other songs from the Paradiso concert appeared on Live! Tonight!! Sold Out!!. The full show was released in November 2021 on CD and Blu-Ray on the 30th anniversary "Super Deluxe" version of Nevermind.
The versions of "Drain You," "Aneurysm" and "Smells Like Teen Spirit" from the compilation are taken from the band's show at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in Del Mar, California, on December 28, 1991. The show was part of a four-date Californian mini-tour in late December with American rock bands Red Hot Chili Peppers, who headlined, and Pearl Jam, who were the first openers. [12] Describing the tour in his 1993 Nirvana biography Come As You Are: The Story of Nirvana , American music journalist Michael Azerrad wrote that "No one was happy about Nirvana playing second fiddle to the Peppers, but they had already committed to it during the chaos of the American tour. At any rate, Nirvana stole the show." [13]
The full show was released in November 2021 on the 30th anniversary "Super Deluxe" version of Nevermind, which featured the complete concert on CD.
Only one song, "tourette's," appears from the band's headlining set on August 30, 1992 at the annual Reading Festival in Reading, England. The song, which later appeared on In Utero, was introduced by Cobain under its working title of "The Eagle Has Landed." [14]
"tourette's" became the second song from the concert to be officially released, following "Lithium" on Live! Tonight! Sold Out!! The full concert was released as Live at Reading on CD and DVD in November 2009.
"Sliver" is taken from the band's show at the Springfield Civic Center, Springfield on November 10, 1993. [15] The vinyl version of the album also features additional stage banter from this concert, as well as a brief clip of band performing "Dumb" before stopping it after Cobain accidentally repeats the second verse instead of playing the bridge. [16] These represent the earliest appearance, chronologically, of second guitarist Pat Smear on the album. "Milk It" from this show was released on the 30th anniversary Deluxe and Super Deluxe editions of the In Utero album in October 2023. [17]
"Scentless Apprentice" is taken from the band's "Live and Loud" show, which was filmed by MTV on December 13, 1993 at Pier 48 in Seattle. An abridged version of the show, which included "Scentless Apprentice," was first broadcast by the network on December 31, 1993.
The show was set to feature Pearl Jam and Nirvana as co-headliners, but the former band cancelled shortly before the performance, which led to Nirvana playing a longer set. The concert featured American hip-hop act Cypress Hill and American alternative rock band The Breeders as supporting acts. [18] Nirvana's full set was released as Live and Loud on DVD in 2013, and on vinyl in 2019.
"Heart-Shaped Box" is taken from a show, which benefitted the non-profit media watch organization Fairness & Accuracy in Reporting, at The Forum in Los Angeles, on December 30, 1993. [19] [20] At that show Cobain also dedicated a song to the recently deceased River Phoenix. [21] The vinyl version features additional stage banter from this show. [22] "The Man Who Sold the World" from this show appeared on a bootleg in 2002. [23] The band reportedly played to an audience of about 13,000. [24] The full show was released on the 30th anniversary Super Deluxe edition of the In Utero album in October 2023. [17]
"Milk It" is the only performance from 1994, taken from the band's show at the Seattle Center Arena on January 7, 1994. [20] The vinyl version features additional stage banter from this show, including a clip of Cobain dedicating a song to recently deceased celebrities Frank Zappa, River Phoenix, Fred Gwynne, Dixie Lee Ray and Tip O'Neil, along with "you dumb ass who just threw water on me." [25] "Serve the Servants" from this show was included on the abandoned Verse Chorus Verse album. [26] The full show was released on the 30th anniversary Super Deluxe edition of the In Utero album in October 2023. [17]
From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah became Nirvana's third consecutive album to debut at number one on the Billboard 200, and fourth to top the chart overall.
No commercial singles were released from the album, but promotional singles were sent out for radio play for a number of the songs, including "Aneurysm" (US and UK), "Drain You" (US), "Lithium" (Portugal and the Netherlands), and "Smells Like Teen Spirit" (France, Portugal and Spain where it charted at number 14 on the Spanish airplay chart). [27] [28] A limited edition promotional box set was also released in Australia containing three promotional singles for the songs "Aneurysm", "Heart-Shaped Box", and "Polly". The box set also included Nevermind It's an Interview , a promotional interview disc released in 1992. [29]
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Entertainment Weekly | B+ [31] |
The Guardian | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Los Angeles Times | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
NME | 9/10 [34] |
Q | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Rolling Stone | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The Rolling Stone Album Guide | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Spin | 8/10 [38] |
The Village Voice | A [39] |
Lorraine Ali of Rolling Stone described From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah as the "emotional, visceral flip side" of MTV Unplugged in New York, and as "riotous and liberating", showing the band "in their most natural state, smashing instruments and inducing irreversible tinnitus." [4] Johnny Cigarettes of the NME called it "a gloriously electrifying aural photo-book of a truly legendary rock’n’roll band, the like of which burns across our skies all too rarely in this sterile, cynical and safely post-modern age." [40]
The album was ranked at number nine in Rolling Stone's 1997 critics' poll of the top 10 albums of 1996, [41] and number 14 in Spin 's "20 Best Albums of 1996" list. [42]
In his Allmusic review, Stephen Thomas Erlewine called the compilation "a little scattershot" but "still a terrific record" which "finds a great band in top form." [30] American music critic Robert Christgau wrote, "I play Unplugged to refresh my memory of a sojourner's spirituality. I'll play this one when I want to remember a band's guts, fury, and rock and roll music"; [39] Tim Peacock of uDiscover called the album "the formidable yang to the subtle, acoustic yin of MTV Unplugged," and praised the selections from the band's "scintillating" Paradiso and "transcendent" Del Mar Fairgrounds shows in particular. [43]
Keith Cameron welcomed the compilation's emphasis on the "positive...versions of 'Polly' and 'Breed' from the Lamefest gig at London's Astoria in December 1989, [the night] Nirvana opened for Mudhoney and Tad at a two-thirds empty theatre, [and] served notice that they were the band destined to redirect the gaze of the pop world onto a town called Seattle."[ This quote needs a citation ]
Radio & Records described the 1996 documentary Teen Spirit: The Tribute to Kurt Cobain as the "video scrapbook companion to Nirvana's From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah LP". [44]
All tracks are written by Kurt Cobain, except where noted
No. | Title | Other writers | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Intro" (recorded by Craig Montgomery at the London Astoria, December 3, 1989) | 0:52 | |
2. | "School" (recorded by VPRO-TV in Amsterdam, Netherlands, at Paradiso, November 25, 1991) | 2:40 | |
3. | "Drain You" (recorded by Westwood One at Del Mar Fairgrounds, CA, December 28, 1991) | 3:34 | |
4. | "Aneurysm" (recorded by Westwood One at Del Mar Fairgrounds, California, December 28, 1991) | Cobain, Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic | 4:31 |
5. | "Smells Like Teen Spirit" (recorded by Westwood One at Del Mar Fairgrounds, California, December 28, 1991) | Cobain, Grohl, Novoselic | 4:47 |
6. | "Been a Son" (recorded by VPRO-TV in Amsterdam, Netherlands, at Paradiso, November 25, 1991) | 2:07 | |
7. | "Lithium" (recorded by VPRO-TV in Amsterdam, Netherlands, at Paradiso, November 25, 1991) | 4:10 | |
8. | "Sliver" (recorded by Craig Overbay at the Springfield Civic Center, Springfield, Massachusetts, November 10, 1993) | Cobain, Novoselic | 1:55 |
9. | "Spank Thru" (recorded by Stereoral at Il Castello Vi de Porta, Castello 41 Rome, November 19, 1991) | 3:10 | |
10. | "Scentless Apprentice" (recorded for MTV Live and Loud by Scott Litt at Pier 48, Seattle, December 13, 1993) | Cobain, Grohl, Novoselic | 3:31 |
11. | "Heart-Shaped Box" (recorded by Craig Overbay at the Great Western Forum, Los Angeles, December 30, 1993) | 4:41 | |
12. | "Milk It" (recorded by Craig Overbay at the Seattle Center Arena, January 7, 1994) | 3:45 | |
13. | "Negative Creep" (recorded by Andy Wallace at the Paramount Theatre, Seattle, October 31, 1991) | 2:43 | |
14. | "Polly" (recorded by Craig Montgomery at the London Astoria, December 3, 1989) | 2:30 | |
15. | "Breed" (recorded by Craig Montgomery at the London Astoria, December 3, 1989) | 3:28 | |
16. | "Tourette's" (recorded by Fujisankei Communications International, Inc. in Reading, England at the Reading Festival, August 30, 1992) | 1:55 | |
17. | "Blew" (recorded by VPRO-TV in Amsterdam, Netherlands, at Paradiso, November 25, 1991) | 3:36 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
18. | "Untitled" (various concert outtakes and stage banter on side 4) | 5:47 |
Notes:
Nirvana
Production
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
|
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Argentina (CAPIF) [81] | Gold | 30,000^ |
Australia (ARIA) [82] | Platinum | 70,000^ |
Austria (IFPI Austria) [83] | Gold | 25,000* |
Belgium (BEA) [84] | Gold | 25,000* |
Canada (Music Canada) [85] | 2× Platinum | 200,000^ |
France (SNEP) [86] | 2× Gold | 200,000* |
Japan (RIAJ) [87] | Gold | 100,000^ |
New Zealand (RMNZ) [88] | Platinum | 15,000^ |
Spain (PROMUSICAE) [89] | Gold | 50,000^ |
United Kingdom (BPI) [90] | Gold | 100,000* |
United States (RIAA) [91] | Platinum | 1,300,000 [92] |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
Nirvana was an American rock band formed in Aberdeen, Washington, in 1987. Founded by lead singer and guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic, the band went through a succession of drummers, most notably Chad Channing, before recruiting Dave Grohl in 1990. Nirvana's success popularized alternative rock, and they were often referenced as the figurehead band of Generation X. Despite a short mainstream career spanning only three years, their music maintains a popular following and continues to influence modern rock culture.
MTV Unplugged in New York is the first live album by the American rock band Nirvana, released by DGC Records on November 1, 1994, nearly seven months following the suicide of Kurt Cobain. It was part of the cable television series MTV Unplugged and features a mostly acoustic performance. It was recorded at Sony Music Studios in Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan, on November 18, 1993.
In Utero is the third and final studio album by the American rock band Nirvana, released on September 21, 1993, by DGC Records. After breaking into the mainstream with their second album, Nevermind (1991), Nirvana hired Steve Albini to record In Utero, seeking a more complex, abrasive sound that was reminiscent of their work prior to Nevermind. Although the singer and primary songwriter Kurt Cobain claimed that the album was "very impersonal", many of its songs contain heavy allusions to his personal life and struggles, expressing feelings of angst that were common on the band's previous album.
With the Lights Out is a box set by the American rock band Nirvana, released on November 23, 2004. It contains three CDs and one DVD of previously rare or unreleased material, including B-sides, demos, and rehearsal and live recordings. The title comes from the lyrics of Nirvana's 1991 single "Smells Like Teen Spirit".
"Lithium" is a song by the American rock band Nirvana, written by vocalist and guitarist Kurt Cobain. It appears as the fifth track on the band's second album, Nevermind, released by DGC Records in September 1991.
"Sliver" is a song by the American rock band Nirvana, written by vocalist and guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic. It was first released as a non-album single by the band's then record label, Sub Pop, in the United States in September 1990, and by Tupelo in Britain in January 1991. The same recording was re-released on the compilation album Incesticide by DGC in December 1992, and a new music video, directed by Kevin Kerslake, was released in May 1993.
"Drain You" is a song by American rock band Nirvana, written by vocalist and guitarist, Kurt Cobain. It is the eighth track on their second album, Nevermind, released in September 1991. The song was released as a promotional single in late 1991, and also appeared as a b-side on UK retail editions of the first single from that album, "Smells Like Teen Spirit".
"Blew" is a song by American rock band Nirvana, written by vocalist and guitarist Kurt Cobain. It is the first song on the band's debut album Bleach, released in June 1989 by Sub Pop.
"Something in the Way" is a song by American rock band Nirvana, written by vocalist and guitarist Kurt Cobain. It is the 12th song on their second album, Nevermind, released in September 1991. It is the final listed song on the album, although most copies of Nevermind also feature the hidden track "Endless, Nameless", which occupies the same track as "Something in the Way" and begins after approximately 10 minutes of silence.
"On a Plain" is a song by American rock band Nirvana, written by vocalist and guitarist, Kurt Cobain. It is the 11th track on their second album, Nevermind, released in September 1991.
"Dumb" is a song by the American rock band, Nirvana, written by vocalist and guitarist, Kurt Cobain. It is the sixth song on the band's third and final studio album, In Utero, released in September 1993.
"About a Girl" is a song by American rock band Nirvana, written by vocalist and guitarist Kurt Cobain. It is the third song on their debut album, Bleach, released in June 1989.
"Aneurysm" is a song by the American rock band Nirvana, written by vocalist and guitarist Kurt Cobain, bassist Krist Novoselic, and drummer Dave Grohl. It first appeared as a B-side on the band's breakthrough "Smells Like Teen Spirit" single in September 1991. A second studio version was released on the rarities compilation Incesticide in December 1992.
"Polly" is a song by the American rock band Nirvana, written by vocalist and guitarist Kurt Cobain. It is the sixth song on their second album Nevermind, released by DGC Records in September 1991.
Nirvana: Live! Tonight! Sold Out!! is a live video by the American rock band Nirvana, directed by Kevin Kerslake, and released on November 15, 1994, on VHS and laserdisc. It was re-released on DVD on November 7, 2006.
"Breed" is a song by the American grunge band Nirvana, written by vocalist and guitarist Kurt Cobain. It is the fourth song on their second studio album, Nevermind, released in September 1991.
Live at Reading is a live CD/DVD by American rock band Nirvana, released on November 2, 2009. It features the band's headlining performance at the Reading Festival in Reading, England, on August 30, 1992. Bootlegged for years, the new issues present the performance for the first time mastered and color corrected.
Live at the Paramount is a live video and album by American rock band Nirvana, released on September 24, 2011. It was released on DVD and Blu-ray Disc as part of the 20th anniversary of the band's second album and mainstream breakthrough, Nevermind.
Live and Loud is a live video by American rock band Nirvana, released on September 23, 2013. It was released as part of the 20th anniversary of the band's third and final studio album, In Utero.
Imodium
User must do a "albums" search for "Nirvana"