Nirvana Box Set

I've been listening to the Nirvana Box Set (CDs only) for a bit now and I'm glad I didn't drop the cash on it. For the hardcore fan it's very little new; sometimes just a different source than what was already bootlegged, often just right off the single b-side. For someone introduced by, say, the greatest hits record from last year, it's got to be disappointing. A lot of this stuff sounds suspiciously like someone recording on a boombox in their bedroom while fucked up on smack and, ironically, some of the songs on the box set would have been better served rehashing the b-side.

Also scary was, in the aftermath of becoming the fastest and bestest sellingest box set in world history, Courtney Love said they were contemplating a best of the box set release for when she, like, writes this book and gets sued by everyone who ever knew someone with the name Kurt.

In that spirit, I condensed the box set into a 73 minute, 19 second single-disc's worth of box set kickass:

1. Anorexorcist (Radio Performance, 1987) (2:44)
2. Downer (Live, 1988) (1:43)
3. Don't Want It All (Solo Acoustic, Undated) (2:26)
4. Dive (Demo, 1988) (4:50) - These first four are the best of the formative years.
5. Ain't It A Shame (Demo, 1989) (2:01) - Interesting folk song.
6. Token Eastern Song (Demo, 1989) (3:21) - Solid Bleach-era outtake.
7. Sliver (Solo Acoustic, 1989) (2:09) - If the single and Incesticide versions weren't the same, I'd say use that, but this is a good demo.
8. Breed (Rough Mix, 1991) (3:07)
9. Verse Chorus Verse (Outtake, 1991) (3:18)
10. Old Age (Outtake, 1991) (4:20) - This song should have been finished and released on an album.
11. Dumb (Radio Appearance, 1991) (2:35)
12. D-7 (Radio Appearance, 1990) (3:46) - "D-7" and "Return of the Rat" are semi-obscure covers of Greg Sage and the Wipers.
13. Oh The Guilt (B-Side, 1992) (3:25)
14. Return Of The Rat (Outtake, 1992) (3:09)
15. Smells Like Teen Spirit (Butch Vig Mix 1991) (4:59) - Anything is rough compared to Andy Wallace's sugar coating, but Vig's mix of "Teen Spirit" is still a buzzsaw to your ears' ass.
16. Rape Me (Demo, 1992) (3:01) - Has baby Frances crying at the first of the song, which is very creepy.
17. Milk It (Demo, 1993) (4:34)
18. Pennyroyal Tea (Solo Acoustic, 1993) (3:30)
19. Marigold (B-Side, 1993) (2:34) - Actually a Dave Grohl song, but very good.
20. Sappy (Compilation, 1993) (3:26) - From No Alternative, a kickass compilation from the mid 90s. Alternative goodness back before emo ruined everything.
21. Jesus Doesn't Want Me For A Sunbeam (Rehearsal Demo, 1994) (3:57) - This is the best version of the song, probably the best track in the box. A different cellist from the Unplugged show plays a fucking ridiculously beautiful part.
22. Do Re Mi (Solo Acoustic, 1994) (4:24) - Between this and "You Know You're Right", they had the singles for a good album lined up, but destiny called.

(Triviata errors in the above are drug induced.)

Honorable mentions:

They Hung Him On A Cross (Demo, 1989) (1:57)
Grey Goose (Demo, 1989) (4:36)
Even In His Youth (Demo, 1989) (3:12) – Actually, the B-side is far better with its finished lyrics and focus.
Curmudgeon (B-Side, 1992) (3:03)
Heart Shaped Box (Demo, 1993) (5:31) – Notable only for the 45-second, effects-laden guitar solo.
I Hate Myself And I Want To Die (B-Side, 1993) (4:03)
M.V. (Demo, 1993) (1:56) – The B-side was alternately titled “Moist Vagina.”
Serve The Servants (Solo Acoustic, 1993) (1:36)