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{{Short description|2004 compilation box set by Nirvana}}
{{Album infobox 2|
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
Name = With the Lights Out |
{{Infobox album
Type = [[Box set]] |
Artist = [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]] |
| name = With the Lights Out
| type = box
Cover = With the Lights Out.albumcover.amazon.jpg |
| artist = [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]]
Background = Darkseagreen |
| cover = With the lights out nirvana.jpg
Released = [[November 23]], [[2004]] |
| alt =
Recorded = March [[1987]]-[[February 5]], [[1994]] |
| released = {{start date|2004|11|23}}
Genre = [[Grunge rock]], [[Punk rock]], [[Folk music]]|
Length = 5:15:25 |
| recorded = 1987–1994
| venue =
Label = [[Geffen Records|Geffen]] |
| studio =
Producer = [[Lance Bangs]] |
| genre = {{flatlist|
Reviews = <ul><li>''[[All Music Guide|AMG]]'' [[Image:4of5.png]] [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:6nkmu3xsandk link]</li> <li>''[[Rolling Stone]]'' [[Image:4of5.png]] [http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/_/id/6636053/nirvana?pageid=rs.ArtistDiscography&pageregion=triple1 link]</li></ul>|
*[[Grunge]]
Last album = ''[[Nirvana (album)|Nirvana]]''<br />(2002) |
*[[alternative rock]]
Last cover = Nirvana-Nirvana.jpg|
*[[punk rock]]
This album = ''With The Lights Out'' <br /> (2004) |
}}
Next album = ''[[Sliver - The Best of The Box]]''<br />(2005) |
| length = {{(!}} style="margin:<!--for mobile view-->0; width:100%;" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"
Next cover = SliverBest.jpg|}}
{{!}} style="border-bottom:<!--for mobile view-->none; padding:<!--for mobile view-->0; width:50%;"{{!}} CD 1: 71:25<br />CD 2: 71:31<br />CD 3: 73:31
{{!}} style="border-bottom:<!--for mobile view-->none; padding:<!--for mobile view-->0; width:50%;"{{!}} Overall:<br />216:27
{{!-}}
{{!}} colspan="2" style="border-bottom:<!--for mobile view-->none; padding:<!--for mobile view-->0;"{{!}} <hr />
{{!-}}
{{!}} colspan="2" style="padding:<!--for mobile view-->0;"{{!}} DVD: 66:14
{{!)}}
| label = [[DGC Records|DGC]]
| producer = {{flatlist|
*[[Jack Endino]]
*Greg Babior
*[[Steve Fisk]]
*[[Butch Vig]]
*[[Steve Albini]]
*[[Lance Bangs]]
}}
| prev_title = [[Nirvana (Nirvana album)|Nirvana]]
| prev_year = 2002
| next_title = [[#Sliver: The Best of the Box|Sliver: The Best of the Box]]
| next_year = 2005
}}
''''' With the Lights Out''''' is a [[box set]] by the American rock band [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]], released on November 23, 2004. It contains three CDs and one DVD of previously rare or unreleased material, including [[B-side]]s, [[Demo (music)|demo]]s, and rehearsal and live recordings. The title comes from the lyrics of Nirvana's 1991 single "[[Smells Like Teen Spirit]]".


''With the Lights Out'' was planned for release in 2001, but was delayed by a legal battle with [[Courtney Love]], the widow of Nirvana singer, [[Kurt Cobain]].<ref name=":0" /> As of 2016, it had sold 546,000 copies in the US.<ref name="BillboardRihanna">[http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/7511240/ask-billboard-rihannas-quirky-record-in-the-hot-100s-top-10-with Ask Billboard: Rihanna's (Quirky) Record in the Hot 100's Top 10 With 'Needed Me'] billboard.com. Retrieved December 6, 2016.</ref>
'''''With the Lights Out''''' is a [[box set]], containing 3 CDs and 1 DVD, from the [[United States|American]] [[Grunge music|grunge]] band, [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]]. It was released in November [[2004]].


==Significance==
==Background==
Rumours of a posthumous Nirvana box set, or [[anthology]], first surfaced in the mid-[[1990s]], not long after the death of the band's singer and guitarist [[Kurt Cobain]] in April [[1994]]. It was eventually announced that a 45-track box set would be released in September [[2001]], to mark the 10th anniversary of the band's breakthrough album, ''[[Nevermind]]'', but a legal battle between Cobain's widow, [[Courtney Love]], and surviving Nirvana members [[Dave Grohl]] and [[Krist Novoselic]], precluded this from happening.
Rumors of a posthumous Nirvana [[anthology]] surfaced in the mid-1990s, not long after the death of the singer and guitarist, [[Kurt Cobain]], in April 1994. It was reported in ''[[Kerrang!]]'' in April 1999 that the surviving Nirvana members, [[Dave Grohl]] and [[Krist Novoselic]], were planning a box set to be released in 2000 at the earliest.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=April 24, 1999 |title=Nirvana: New 'Bleach' Formula. Plus: Cobain family ban auction |url=https://imgur.com/OHIk96d |publisher=[[Kerrang!]] |issue=747 |page=4 |access-date=April 5, 2020}}</ref> It was later announced that a 45-track box set would be released in September 2001, to mark the 10th anniversary of the band's breakthrough album, ''[[Nevermind]]'', but it was delayed by a legal battle with Cobain's widow, [[Courtney Love]].<ref name=":0">{{cite magazine |date=August 25, 2001 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Billboard-Index/IDX/2001/2001-08-25-Billboard-Page-0017.pdf |title=Reviews & Previews - In Print |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |page=17 |access-date=December 13, 2021}}</ref><ref name="CMJ20September2004">{{cite magazine |date=September 20, 2004 |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/CMJ/IDX/CMJ-882-2002-IDX-3.pdf |title=News To Us |magazine=[[CMJ]] |page=3 |access-date=May 3, 2024}}</ref>


Much of the dispute centered on the unreleased song "[[You Know You're Right]]", recorded in January 1994 during the band's final studio session. Grohl and Novoselic wanted it for the box set, but Love blocked its release and sued them for control of Nirvana's legacy.<ref name="CMJ20September2004"/> Love's lawsuit asserted that "the parties have fundamentally different concepts of how to manage the musical and artistic legacy of Kurt Cobain", which resulted "in a stalemate of decision making".<ref>{{cite web |title=Love Blocks Nirvana Release |author=Teri VanHorn |publisher=MTV News |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1444878/20010629/nirvana.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010703092849/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1444878/20010629/nirvana.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 July 2001 |access-date=2008-09-02}}</ref> She believed that "You Know You're Right" would be "wasted" on a box set, and instead belonged on a single-disc compilation similar to [[The Beatles|the Beatles']] ''[[1 (The Beatles album)|1]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=A piece of Kurt Cobain |author=Jim DeRogatis |url=http://www.jimdero.com/News2002/CobainMar10.htm |access-date=2008-09-02}}</ref>
The dispute - or much of it - centred around "[[You Know You're Right]]," a song recorded in January 1994 during the band's final studio session. Grohl and Novoselic had wanted it for the box set, but Love maintained that it would be better suited to a more commercial, single-disc compilation instead. In [[2002]], the legal battle was settled, and "You Know You're Right" appeared on the "best-of" compilation, ''[[Nirvana (album)|Nirvana]]''. This paved the way for what became ''With the Lights Out'', which arrived two years later with far more music than had originally been promised.


In 2002, the legal battle was settled, and "You Know You're Right" appeared on the "best-of" compilation ''[[Nirvana (Nirvana album)|Nirvana]]''. This paved the way for what became the ''With the Lights Out'' box set, which arrived in November 2004, over three years after its original release date but with more music than originally promised, including an [[acoustic guitar|acoustic]] demo of "You Know You're Right".<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Shoup |first=Brad |date=March 24, 2022 |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/nirvana-you-know-youre-right-2002-1235048578/ |title='I Will Crawl Away For Good': 20 Years Ago, Nirvana Reconquered Modern Rock With an Uncanny Old New Song |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=March 26, 2022}}</ref>
''With the Lights Out'' received a lukewarm reception from music critics, many of whom saw it as a valuable glimpse into the band's musical evolution, but also believed it contained too much second-rate material never intended for official release. It was generally well-received by fans, marking the first time they had heard such legendary recordings as the band's cover of [[Leadbelly|Leadbelly's]] "[[Ain't It a Shame]]," the studio versions of "[[Verse Chorus Verse]]" and "[[Old Age]]," and any recording of Cobain's final song, "[[Do Re Mi (Nirvana)|Do Re Mi]]." It also contained a handful of surprises, such as a rehearsal demo of the previously-unknown "[[Mrs. Butterworth]]," a solo Cobain rendition of Leadbelly's "[[They Hung Him on a Cross]]," and an acoustic demo of "You Know You're Right."


==Release==
''With the Lights Out'' opened at #19 on the [[Billboard 200]], setting a box set record for units sold during a single week with 105,760.
===Promotion===
Before the release of ''With the Lights Out'', a [[Promotional recording|promotional]] [[Extended play|EP]], ''Selections from With the Lights Out'', was sent to radio stations, featuring the songs "White Lace and Strange", "Blandest", "[[Lithium (Nirvana song)|Lithium]]", "[[Heart-Shaped Box]]" and "You Know You're Right" from the box set.<ref name="SLIVER">{{cite web | url=http://www.nirvana-discography.com/pages/promo/selections.html| title=Nirvana discography in section "Promo only" under section "EP's"| author=Enrico Vincenzi| publisher=www.nirvana-discography.com| access-date=June 19, 2018}}</ref> "Lithium" was also released as an exclusive [[iTunes]] downloadable single on November 22, 2004.<ref>{{cite web |last=Rasmus |first=Holmen |url=http://www.nirvanaclub.com/index.php?section=news&file=11_2004.htm |title=&#91;NFC: The Internet Nirvana Fan Club&#93 |website=nirvanaclub.com |access-date=May 6, 2012}}</ref> The music video for the original version of "[[In Bloom]]", made in 1990 and first released on the ''Sub Pop Video Network Program'' VHS compilation in 1991,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nirvana-discography.com/pages/memorabilia/video/subpop_network_1.html |title=SUB POP VIDEO NETWORK PROGRAM 1 |website=nirvana-discography.com |access-date=June 19, 2018}}</ref> was released to [[music television]] to promote the box set.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nirvana-discography.com/pages/memorabilia/video/vhs_promo_singles.html |title=Memorabilia - VHS Promo Singles |website=nirvana-discography.com |access-date=June 19, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media |date=December 25, 2009 |title=Nirvana - In Bloom (Alternate Version) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAy---wp_DQ |access-date=January 9, 2021 |location=United States |publisher=YouTube}}</ref> The video appears on the box set's DVD. An online trailer was also released for the box set, featuring footage from the DVD and audio from the three CDs.<ref>[http://www.nirvana-discography.com/pages/memorabilia/video/with_the_lights.html WITH THE LIGHTS OUT promo trailer video] nirvana-discography.com. Retrieved June 19, 2018.</ref><ref>{{cite AV media |date=January 9, 2010 |title=With The Lights Out - Trailer |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leh0nbvCRrAw |access-date=January 9, 2021 |location=United States |publisher=YouTube}}</ref>


===Packaging===
==Liner note inaccuracies==
''With the Lights Out'' is packaged in heat-sensitive material which changes color when touched, revealing images of recording session tapes.<ref name="livenirvana1">{{cite web |url=http://livenirvana.com/official/ |title=Companion To Official Releases |publisher=Live Nirvana |access-date=2011-11-27}}</ref>
Most of Nirvana's posthumous releases have contained inaccuracies in their [[liner notes]]. ''With the Lights Out'' is no exception.


Each of the three CDs loosely represents the rare recordings from three periods in Nirvana's history, in line with the band's three studio albums, ''[[Bleach (Nirvana album)|Bleach]]'', ''[[Nevermind]]'' and ''[[In Utero (album)|In Utero]]'', which were released in 1989, 1991 and 1993 respectively. The DVD contains rare live performances and rehearsals from throughout the band's career.
*"Vendetagainst" is listed as "Help Me I'm Hungry." The latter title was invented by bootleggers, since the song's real name was unknown at the time.


It includes a 60-page booklet which contains [[liner notes]] by [[Thurston Moore]] of the American rock band [[Sonic Youth]] and the journalist [[Neil Strauss]], as well as photographs and a chronological catalog of the band's recording history, including studio sessions, television and radio appearances, live performances and home demo recordings sessions.
*"Mrs. Butterworth" is listed as being from 1988, and as featuring [[Dale Crover]] on drums. Producer [[Jack Endino]], who helped compile the box set, later said the recording more likely dates back to the Summer of 1987, and features Aaron Burckhard on drums. According to Endino, the original information was based on a "wild guess" on the part of someone at Nirvana's management company. He also said the song's true title is unknown, and was therefore renamed for release.


The band's May 6, 1987 radio session at [[KAOS (FM)|KAOS 89.3 FM]] in [[Olympia, Washington]], is mislabeled as being from April 17, 1987.<ref name="livenirvana1"/>
*"[[Aneurysm (song)|Aneurysm]]" is listed as being from 1990. It was recorded on January 1, 1991.


==Trivia==
==Reception==
{{Album ratings
* The title of ''With the Lights Out'' was chosen by Courtney Love, and comes from the chorus of Nirvana's biggest hit, "[[Smells Like Teen Spirit]]."
| MC = 76/100<ref name="Metacritic">{{cite web |title= Nirvana: With the Lights Out (2004): Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/with-the-lights-out |access-date=2008-09-02}}</ref>
| rev1 = ''[[AllMusic]]''
| rev1Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/with-the-lights-out-mw0000633362 |title=Nirvana: With The Lights Out |access-date=August 31, 2017 |website=[[AllMusic]] |author=[[Stephen Thomas Erlewine]]}}</ref>
| rev2 = ''[[The Encyclopedia of Popular Music]]''
| rev2score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="Larkin 2011">{{cite book |title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Encyclopedia of Popular Music]] |publisher=[[Omnibus Press]] |edition= 5th concise |year=2011 |last=Larkin |first=Colin |author-link=Colin Larkin (writer)}}</ref>
| rev3 = ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''
| rev3Score = A−<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Nirvana - Nirvana |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=December 10, 2004 |page=89}}</ref>
| rev4 = ''[[The Guardian]]''
| rev4Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2004/dec/03/popandrock.shopping4 |work=The Guardian |first=Adam |last=Sweeting |title=CD: Nirvana, With the Lights Out |date=December 3, 2004 |access-date=August 27, 2017}}</ref>
| rev5 = ''[[NME]]''
| rev5Score = 7/10<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nme.com/reviews/nirvana/7562 |title=NME Album Reviews - Nirvana : With The Lights Out |work=[[NME]] |date=December 10, 2004 |access-date=2011-11-27}}</ref>
| rev6 = ''[[Pitchfork Media]]''
| rev6Score = 6.3/10<ref name="pitchfork1">{{cite web |last=Richardson |first=Mark |url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/5811-with-the-lights-out/ |title=Nirvana: With the Lights Out &#124; Album Reviews |publisher=[[Pitchfork Media|Pitchfork]] |date=November 23, 2004 |access-date=2011-11-27}}</ref>
| rev7 = ''[[PopMatters]]''
| rev7Score = 5/10<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.popmatters.com/review/nirvana-withthelights/ |title=Nirvana: With the Lights Out |work=[[PopMatters]] |date=December 2, 2004 |access-date=August 31, 2017 |last=O'Neil |first=Tim}}</ref>
| rev8 = ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]''
| rev8score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite journal |title=Nirvana: With The Lights Outs |date=December 2004 |journal=[[Q (magazine)|Q]] |page=152}}</ref>
| rev9 = ''[[Rolling Stone]]''
| rev9Score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/6636053/review/6648633/withthelightsout |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081025053106/http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/6636053/review/6648633/withthelightsout |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 25, 2008 |title=Rolling Stone Music &#124; Album Reviews |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=November 22, 2011 |access-date=2011-11-27}}</ref>
| rev10 = ''[[Spin magazine|Spin]]''
| rev10Score = A<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.spin.com/2004/12/nirvana-lights-out/ |title=Nirvana – With the Lights Out |work=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]] |date=December 24, 2004 |access-date=2011-11-27}}</ref>
}}
''With the Lights Out'' received generally positive reviews from music critics,<ref name="Metacritic"/> many of whom saw it as a valuable glimpse into the band's evolution. Julian Marshall of the ''[[NME]]'' called it "a humanising, comprehensive and often heartbreaking document of a man who, in five years, changed the face of music, almost by accident".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nme.com/reviews/artistKeyname/7562 |title=NME Album Reviews – Nirvana : With The Lights Out |publisher=Nme.Com |date=December 10, 2004 |access-date=2011-11-27}}</ref> John Jeremiah Sullivan of ''[[New York Magazine]]'' called it "an appropriately eccentric testament to Cobain's talent".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sullivan |first1=John Jeremiah |title=Art-Shaped Box |url=http://nymag.com/nymetro/arts/music/pop/reviews/10583/ |access-date=January 16, 2019 |work=[[New York (magazine)|New York]] |date=December 13, 2004}}</ref>

However, several critics felt it contained too much second-rate material never intended for release. Mark Richardson of ''[[Pitchforkmedia|Pitchfork]]'' wrote, "Those hoping for a trove of overlooked gems will be disappointed ... Simply put, there's enough good stuff here for a solid single disc."<ref name="pitchfork1"/> Tim O'Neil of ''[[PopMatters]]'' wrote, "The majority of the material presented here will appeal only to a select group of hardcore fans, music historians and critics."<ref>{{cite magazine|last=O'Neil |first=Tim |url=http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/nirvana-withthelights |title=Nirvana: With the Lights Out |magazine=PopMatters |access-date=2011-11-27}}</ref>


==Track listing==
==Track listing==
All songs written by [[Kurt Cobain]], except where noted.
===CD 1===
*From Nirvana's first show (March, 1987 in Raymond, WA)
:1. "[[Heartbreaker (Led Zeppelin song)|Heartbreaker]]" ([[John Bonham|Bonham]], [[John Paul Jones (musician)|Jones]], [[Jimmy Page|Page]], [[Robert Plant|Plant]]; [[Led Zeppelin]] cover) (2:59)
*From Nirvana's first radio session (April 17, 1987 at KAOS-FM in Olympia, WA)
:2. "[[Anorexorcist]]" (2:44)
:3. "[[White Lace And Strange]]" (Bond; Thunder and Roses cover) (2:09)
:4. "[[Help Me, I'm Hungry]]" (2:41)
*From a boombox-recorded demo tape (Summer 1987 in WA)
:5. "[[Mrs. Butterworth]]" (4:05)
*From Nirvana's first studio session (January 23, 1988 at Reciprocal Recording Studios in Seattle, WA. Producer: Jack Endino)
:6. "[[If You Must]]" (4:01)
:7. "[[Pen Cap Chew]]" (3:02)
*From a live performance (January 23, 1988 at the Community World Theatre in Tacoma, WA)
:8. "[[Downer (song)|Downer]]" (1:43)
:9. "[[Floyd the Barber]]" (2:33)
:10. "[[Raunchola]]"/ "[[Moby Dick (song)|Moby Dick]]" ("Moby Dick" - Bonham, Jones, Page; Led Zeppelin cover) (6:24)
*Cobain's 4-track home recordings (1987 and/or 1988 in Aberdeen, WA)
:11. "[[Beans (song)|Beans]]" (1:32)
:12. "[[Don't Want It All]]" (2:26)
:13. "[[Clean Up Before She Comes]]" (3:12)
:14. "[[Polly (song)|Polly]]" (2:30) (demo)
:15. "[[About A Girl]]" (2:44)(demo)
*From the studio session which yielded the ''Bleach'' recordings of "Love Buzz" and "Big Cheese" (June-September 1988 at Reciprocal Recording Studios in Seattle, WA. Producer: Jack Endino)
:16. "[[Blandest]]" (3:56)
*From Nirvana's first 24-track studio session (Spring 1989 at the Evergreen State College Audio Studio in Olympia, WA. Producer: Greg Babior)
:17. "[[Dive (song)|Dive]]" (4:50)(demo)
*From a studio session for "the Jury," a Leadbelly cover band featuring members of Nirvana and the Screaming Trees (August 20, 28 at Reciprocal Recording Studios in Seattle, WA. Producer: Jack Endino)
:18. "[[They Hung Him on a Cross]]" ([[Leadbelly|Ledbetter, Huddie]]) (1:57)
:19. "[[Grey Goose (song)|Grey Goose]]" (Ledbetter, Huddie) (4:36)
:20. "[[Ain't It a Shame]]" (Ledbetter, Huddie) (2:01)
*From the studio session which yielded the ''Blew'' EP versions of "Been a Son" and "Stain" (September, 1989 at Music Source Studios in Seattle, WA. Producer: Steve Fisk)
:21. "[[Token Eastern Song]]" (3:21)(demo)
:22. "[[Even in His Youth]]" (3:12)(demo)
:23. "[[Polly (song)|Polly]]" (2:36) (demo)


===CD 2===
===Disc one===
*'''1987 show in [[Raymond, Washington]].'''
*From Cobain's acoustic performance at a college radio show (September 25, 1990 at KAOS-FM in Olympia, WA)
#"[[Heartbreaker (Led Zeppelin song)|Heartbreaker]]" ([[John Bonham]]/[[John Paul Jones (musician)|John Paul Jones]]/[[Jimmy Page]]/[[Robert Plant]])&nbsp;– 2:59
:1. "[[Opinion (song)|Opinion]]" (1:34)
*'''May 6, 1987 radio session at [[KAOS (FM)|KAOS 89.3 FM]], [[Olympia, Washington]].''' (Nirvana's first radio session)
:2. "[[Lithium (song)|Lithium]]" (1:49)
#<li value=2>"Anorexorcist" (a.k.a. "Annorexorcist")&nbsp;– 2:44
:3. "[[Been A Son]]" (1:12)
#"White Lace and Strange" (Chris Bond)&nbsp;– 2:09
*Cobain's boombox-recorded home demos (1990 in Olympia, WA)
#"Help Me, I'm Hungry" (a.k.a. "Vendetagainst")&nbsp;– 2:41
:4. "[[Sliver (song)|Sliver]]" (2:09)
*'''Summer 1987 band rehearsal in [[Aberdeen, Washington]].'''
:5. "[[Where Did You Sleep Last Night]]" (Ledbetter, Huddie) (2:31)
#<li value=5>"Mrs. Butterworth" (a.k.a. "Unknown #2")&nbsp;– 4:05
*From the studio session which yielded the ''Nevermind'' version of "Polly" (April 2-6, 1990 at Smart Studios, Madison, WI. Producer: Butch Vig)
*'''January 23, 1988 studio session at [[Reciprocal Recording|Reciprocal Recording Studios]], [[Seattle]], [[Washington (state)|Washington]].''' Producer: [[Jack Endino]]. (Nirvana's first studio session)<ref>{{cite web |last=Gaar |first=Gillian G. | title=The Rough Guide to Nirvana |url=https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6490166-the-rough-guide-to-nirvana |url-access=registration |date=June 1, 2009 |publisher=[[Rough Guides]] |pages=<!--Google Books https://books.google.com/books?id=rNNC1BXi_XwC&pg=PT44--> |website=[[Goodreads]] |type=Book |format=Paperback |isbn=1858289459<!-- |usbn13=9781858289458 -->|access-date=2021-11-11}}</ref>
:6. "[[Pay to Play (song)|Pay To Play]]" (early version of "[[Stay Away (Nirvana song)|Stay Away]]") (3:29)
#<li value=6>"If You Must"&nbsp;– 4:01
:7. "[[Here She Comes Now]]" ([[John Cale|Cale]], [[Sterling Morrison|Morrison]], [[Lou Reed|Reed]], [[Maureen Tucker|Tucker]]; [[The Velvet Underground]] cover) (5:01)
#"Pen Cap Chew"&nbsp;– 4:02
*From a 4-track demo (April 1991 in San Francisco, California)
*'''January 23, 1988 show at the Community World Theatre, [[Tacoma, Washington]].'''
:8 "[[Drain You]]" (2:38) (demo version)
#<li value=8>"Downer"&nbsp;– 1:43
*From the studio session which also yielded the "Smells Like Teen Spirit" single version of "Even in His Youth" (January 1, 1991 at Music Source Studios, Seattle, WA. Producer: Craig Montgomery)(demo)
#"Floyd the Barber"&nbsp;– 2:33
:9 "[[Aneurysm (song)|Aneurysm]]" (4:47)(demo)
#"Raunchola" (a.k.a. "Erectum")/"[[Moby Dick (instrumental)|Moby Dick]]" ("Moby Dick" – [[John Bonham]]/John Paul Jones/Jimmy Page)&nbsp;– 6:24
*From a boombox-recorded rehearsal demo (March 1991 in Tacoma, WA)
*'''1987–1988 solo [[Multitrack recording|4-track]] home recordings, Aberdeen, Washington.'''
:10 "[[Smells Like Teen Spirit]]" (5:40)
#<li value="11">"Beans"&nbsp;– 1:32
*From the studio session for ''Nevermind'' (May-June 1991 at Sound City Studios, Van Nuys, CA. Producer: Butch Vig)
#"Don't Want It All" (a.k.a. "Seed")&nbsp;– 2:26
:11. "[[Breed (song)|Breed]]" ([[Butch Vig]] mix) (3:07)
#"Clean Up Before She Comes"&nbsp;– 3:12
:12. "[[Verse Chorus Verse]]" (3:17)
#"[[Polly (Nirvana song)|Polly]]"&nbsp;– 2:30
:13. "[[Old Age]]" (4:20)
#"[[About a Girl (Nirvana song)|About a Girl]]"&nbsp;– 2:44
*From a John Peel radio session (September 3, 1991 at Maida Vale Studios, London, England)
*'''June 11, 1988 studio session at Reciprocal Recording Studios, Seattle, Washington.'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.livenirvana.com/sessions/studio/jun-sep-1988.php#gsc.tab=0|title=June 88 sessions}}</ref> Producer: Jack Endino
:14 "[[Endless, Nameless]]" (8:47)
#<li value=16>"Blandest"&nbsp;– 3:56
:15 "[[Dumb (song)|Dumb]]" (2:35)
*'''Spring 1989 studio session at [[The Evergreen State College]] Audio Studio, Olympia, Washington.''' Producer: Greg Babior.
*From a John Peel radio session (October 21, 1990 at Maida Vale Studios, London, England)
:16 "[[D-7]]" ([[Greg Sage|Sage]]; [[The Wipers]] cover) (3:46)
#<li value=17>"[[Dive (Nirvana song)|Dive]]" ([[Kurt Cobain]]/[[Krist Novoselic]])&nbsp;– 4:50
*'''August 20 and 28, 1989 studio session at Reciprocal Recording Studios, Seattle, Washington.''' Producer: Jack Endino. (Studio session for "the Jury", a [[Lead Belly]] cover band featuring members of Nirvana and [[the Screaming Trees]])
*From Nirvana's first post-''Nevermind'' studio session (April 7, 1992 at Laundry Room Studios, Seattle, WA. Producer: Barrett Jones)
#<li value=18>"[[They Hung Him on a Cross]]" ([[Lead Belly|Huddie Ledbetter]])&nbsp;– 1:57
:17 "[[Oh, the Guilt]]" (3:25)
#"[[Grey Goose (folk song)|Grey Goose]]" (Huddie Ledbetter)&nbsp;– 4:36
:18 "[[Curmudgeon]]" (3:03)
#"Ain't It a Shame" (Huddie Ledbetter)&nbsp;– 2:01
:19 "[[Return of the Rat]]" (Sage; The Wipers cover) (3:09)
*From the studio session for ''Nevermind'' (May-June 1991 at Sound City Studios, Van Nuys, CA. Producer: Butch Vig)
*'''September 1989 studio session at Music Source Studios, Seattle, Washington.''' Producer: [[Steve Fisk]].
#<li value=21>"Token Eastern Song"&nbsp;– 3:21
:20 "[[Smells Like Teen Spirit]]" (Butch Vig mix) (4:59)
#"[[Even in His Youth]]"&nbsp;– 3:12
#"Polly"&nbsp;– 2:36


===CD 3===
===Disc two===
*'''September 25, 1990 solo radio session on ''Boy Meets Girl'', KAOS 89.3 FM, Olympia, Washington.''' Host: [[Calvin Johnson (musician)|Calvin Johnson]].
# "[[Rape Me]]" (solo acoustic home demo) (3:23)
#"[[Opinion (song)|Opinion]]"&nbsp;– 1:34
# "Rape Me" (demo version) (3:01)
#"[[Lithium (Nirvana song)|Lithium]]"&nbsp;– 1:49
# "[[Scentless Apprentice]]" (rehearsal demo) (9:32)
#"[[Been a Son]]"&nbsp;– 1:12
# "[[Heart-Shaped Box]]" (demo version) (5:31)
*'''1990 [[boombox]]-recorded home demos, Olympia, Washington.'''
# "[[I Hate Myself and I Want to Die|I Hate Myself and Want to Die]]" (demo version) (4:03)
#<li value=4>"[[Sliver (song)|Sliver]]"&nbsp;– 2:09
# "[[Milk It]]" (demo version) (4:34)
#"[[In the Pines#Mark Lanegan/Nirvana|Where Did You Sleep Last Night]]" (traditional)&nbsp;– 2:31
# "[[Moist Vagina]]" (demo version a.k.a. "MV") (1:56)
*'''April 2–6, 1990 studio session at [[Smart Studios]], [[Madison, Wisconsin]].''' Producer: [[Butch Vig]].
# "[[Gallons Of Rubbing Alcohol Flow Through The Strip]]" (7:33)
#<li value=6>"Pay to Play" (early version of "Stay Away") (previously released on ''[[DGC Rarities Volume 1|DGC Rarities: Volume 1]]'' in 1994)&nbsp;– 3:29
# "[[The Other Improv]]" (6:24)
#"[[Here She Comes Now / Venus in Furs|Here She Comes Now]]" ([[John Cale]]/[[Sterling Morrison]]/[[Lou Reed]]) (previously released on split-single with [[the Melvins]] in 1991)<ref name="Goldmine">{{cite news |last=Gaar |first=Gillian G. |date=March 31, 2020 |url=https://www.goldminemag.com/collectors-corner-collector-resources/a-look-at-nirvanas-collectible-recordings |title=A look at Nirvana's collectible recordings |newspaper=Goldmine Magazine: Record Collector & Music Memorabilia |publisher=[[Goldmine (magazine)|Goldmine]] |access-date=April 1, 2020}}</ref>&nbsp;– 5:01
# "[[Serve The Servants]]" (solo acoustic home demo) (1:36)
*'''April 1991 4-track demo, [[San Francisco, California]].''' Features [[Dale Crover]] on [[Drum kit|drums]] and [[Dave Grohl]] on [[bass guitar|bass]].
# "[[Very Ape]]" (solo acoustic home demo) (1:52)
#<li value=8>"[[Drain You]]"&nbsp;– 2:38
# "[[Pennyroyal Tea]]" (solo acoustic home demo) (3:30)
*'''January 1, 1991 studio session at Music Source Studios, Seattle, Washington.''' Producer: [[Craig Montgomery (sound engineer)|Craig Montgomery]]
# "[[Marigold (song)|Marigold]]" ([[Dave Grohl|Grohl]]) (2:34)
#<li value=9>"[[Aneurysm (song)|Aneurysm]]" (Kurt Cobain/Dave Grohl/Krist Novoselic) (previously released on "[[Smells Like Teen Spirit]]" single in 1991)&nbsp;– 4:47
# "[[Sappy]]" (3:26)
*'''March 1991 band rehearsal, Tacoma, Washington.'''
# "[[Jesus Wants Me For A Sunbeam]]" (rehearsal demo) (Kelly/ McKee; [[The Vaselines]] cover) (3:57)
#<li value=10>"[[Smells Like Teen Spirit]]" (Kurt Cobain/Dave Grohl/Krist Novoselic)&nbsp;– 5:40
# "[[Do Re Mi (Nirvana)|Do Re Mi]]" (solo acoustic home demo) (4:24)
*'''May 1991 studio session at [[Sound City Studios]], [[Van Nuys, California]].''' Producer: Butch Vig. (Studio session for ''[[Nevermind]]'')
# "[[You Know You're Right]]" (solo acoustic home demo) (2:30)
#<li value=11>"Breed" (Butch Vig rough mix)&nbsp;– 3:07
# "[[All Apologies]]" (solo acoustic home demo) (3:33)
#"Verse Chorus Verse"&nbsp;– 3:17
#"[[Old Age (song)|Old Age]]"&nbsp;– 4:20
*'''September 3, 1991 radio session at [[Maida Vale Studios]], [[London]], [[England]].''' ([[John Peel]] session)
#<li value=14>"[[Endless, Nameless (song)|Endless, Nameless]]"&nbsp;– 8:47
#"[[Dumb (Nirvana song)|Dumb]]"&nbsp;– 2:35
*'''October 21, 1990 radio session at Maida Vale Studios, London, England.''' (John Peel session)
#<li value=16>"D-7" ([[Greg Sage]]) (previously released on "[[Lithium (Nirvana song)|Lithium]]" single in 1992)&nbsp;– 3:46
*'''April 7, 1992 studio session at Laundry Room Studios, Seattle, Washington.''' Producer: [[Barrett Jones]].
#<li value=17>"[[Puss/Oh, the Guilt|Oh, the Guilt]]" (alternate mix of previously released song on split-single with [[the Jesus Lizard]] in 1992)&nbsp;– 3:25
#"[[Curmudgeon (song)|Curmudgeon]]" (alternate mix of previously released song on "[[Lithium (Nirvana song)|Lithium]]" single in 1992)&nbsp;– 3:03
#"[[Return of the Rat]]" (Greg Sage) (alternate mix of previously released song on ''[[Eight Songs for Greg Sage and the Wipers]]'' in 1993)&nbsp;– 3:09
*'''May 1991 studio session at Sound City Studios, Van Nuys, California.''' Producer: Butch Vig. (Studio session for ''Nevermind'')
#<li value=20>"Smells Like Teen Spirit" (Kurt Cobain/Dave Grohl/Krist Novoselic) (Butch Vig mix)&nbsp;– 4:59

===Disc three===
*'''May 1991 solo boombox-recorded home demo, [[Los Angeles, California]].'''
#<li value=1>"[[Rape Me]]"&nbsp;– 3:23
*'''October 25–26, 1992 studio session at Word of Mouth Studios (former Reciprocal Recording Studios), Seattle, Washington.''' Producer: Jack Endino.
#<li value=2>"Rape Me"&nbsp;– 3:01
*'''Winter 1992 band rehearsal, Seattle, Washington.'''
#<li value=3>"[[Scentless Apprentice]]" (Kurt Cobain/Dave Grohl/Krist Novoselic)&nbsp;– 9:32
*'''January 19–21, 1993 studio session at Ariola Ltda BMG, [[Rio de Janeiro, Brazil]].''' Producer: Craig Montgomery.
#<li value=4>"[[Heart-Shaped Box]]"&nbsp;– 5:31
#"[[I Hate Myself and Want to Die]]"&nbsp;– 4:03 (mislabelled as the "b-side" version)
#"Milk It"&nbsp;– 4:34
#"Moist Vagina" (a.k.a. "MV")&nbsp;– 1:56
#"[[Gallons of Rubbing Alcohol Flow Through the Strip]]" (Kurt Cobain/Dave Grohl/Krist Novoselic) (previously released on non-U.S. versions of ''[[In Utero (album)|In Utero]]'', 1993)&nbsp;– 7:33
#"The Other Improv"&nbsp;– 6:24
*'''Fall or Winter 1992 solo boombox-recorded home demos, Seattle, Washington.'''
#<li value=10>"[[Serve the Servants]]"&nbsp;– 1:36
#"Very Ape"&nbsp;– 1:52
*'''1993 solo boombox-recorded home demo, Seattle, Washington.'''
#<li value=12>"[[Pennyroyal Tea]]"&nbsp;– 3:30
*'''February 12–26, 1993 studio session at [[Pachyderm Studios]], Cannon Falls, Minnesota.''' Producer: Steve Albini. (Studio session for ''[[In Utero (album)|In Utero]]'')
#<li value=13>"[[Marigold (Dave Grohl song)|Marigold]]" ([[Dave Grohl]]) (previously released on "[[Heart-Shaped Box]]" single in 1993)&nbsp;– 2:34
#"[[Sappy]]" (previously released as "Verse Chorus Verse" on ''[[No Alternative]]'' in 1993)&nbsp;– 3:26
*'''February 5, 1994 band rehearsal at Pavilhão Dramático, [[Cascais]], [[Portugal]].'''
#<li value=15>"[[Jesus Doesn't Want Me for a Sunbeam]]" ([[Eugene Kelly]]/[[Frances McKee]])&nbsp;– 3:57
*'''1994 solo boombox-recorded home demo, Seattle, Washington.'''
#<li value=16>"[[Do Re Mi (Nirvana song)|Do Re Mi]]"&nbsp;– 4:24
*'''1993 or 1994 solo boombox-recorded home demo, Seattle, Washington.'''
#<li value=17>"[[You Know You're Right]]"&nbsp;– 2:30
*'''1991 or 1992 solo boombox-recorded home demo, Olympia, Washington, or Seattle, Washington.'''
#<li value=18>"[[All Apologies]]"&nbsp;– 3:33

*For a limited time, the US iTunes store included ''[[Nevermind It's an Interview]]'' as bonus tracks.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/with-the-lights-out-box-set/id30525916 |title=iTunes Store |publisher=itunes.apple.com |access-date=2011-11-27}}</ref>


===DVD===
===DVD===
# "[[Love Buzz/Big Cheese|Love Buzz]]" (2:32) (Tracks 1 to 9 a rehearsal at bass player Krist Novoselic's mother's house, Aberdeen, Washington in 1988.)
*'''1988 band rehearsal, residence of [[bassist]] Krist Novoselic's mother, Aberdeen, Washington.'''
#<li value=1>"[[Love Buzz/Big Cheese|Love Buzz]]" ([[Robbie van Leeuwen]])&nbsp;– 2:32
# "[[Scoff]]" (:47)
#"Scoff"&nbsp;– 0:47
# "[[About a Girl]]" (3:05)
#"About a Girl"&nbsp;– 3:05
# "[[Big Long Now]]" (4:22)
#"Big Long Now"&nbsp;– 4:22
# "[[Immigrant Song]]" (Led Zeppelin cover) (1:57)
#"[[Immigrant Song]]" (Jimmy Page/Robert Plant)&nbsp;– 1:57
# "[[Spank Thru]]" (3:03)
# "[[Hairspray Queen]]" (3:37)
#"[[Spank Thru]]"&nbsp;– 3:10
#"Hairspray Queen"&nbsp;– 3:37
# "[[School (song)|School]]" (2:53)
#"School"&nbsp;– 2:53
# "[[Mr. Moustache]]" (3:47)
#"Mr. Moustache"&nbsp;– 3:47
# "[[Big Cheese]]" ([[23 June]] [[1989]], Rhino Records, Los Angeles, California) (3:13)
*'''June 23, 1989 show at [[Rhino Records]], Los Angeles, California.'''
# "[[Sappy]]" ([[16 February]] [[1990]], Bogarts, Long Beach, California) (4:27) [mislisted as track 12 on the cover]
#<li value=10>"Big Cheese" (Kurt Cobain/Krist Novoselic)&nbsp;– 3:13
# "[[In Bloom]]" (Early version of song/early music video, while on SubPop records) (4:28) [mislisted as track 11 on the cover]
*'''February 16, 1990 show at Bogarts, [[Long Beach, California]].'''
# "[[School (song)|School]]" ([[22 September]] [[1990]], the Motor Sports International Garage, Seattle, Washington) (2:33)
#<li value=11>"Sappy"&nbsp;– 4:27 (mislabeled as track 12 on the cover)
# "[[Love Buzz/Big Cheese|Love Buzz]]" (Shocking Blue cover) ([[11 October]] [[1990]], North Shore Surf Club, Seattle, Washington) (3:40)
*'''1990 [[Sub Pop Records|Sub Pop]] [[music video]].''' Director: Steve Brown.
# "[[Pennyroyal Tea]]" ([[17 April]] [[1991]], OK Hotel, Seattle, Washington) (1:55)
#<li value=12>"[[In Bloom]]"&nbsp;– 4:28 (mislabeled as track 11 on the cover) (Pre-''Nevermind'' version, featuring [[Chad Channing]] on drums, recorded April 1990 at Smart Studios, Madison, Wisconsin. Producer: Butch Vig)
# "[[Smells Like Teen Spirit]]" (First ever performance of this song) ([[17 April]] [[1991]], OK Hotel, Seattle, Washington) (6:16)
# "[[Territorial Pissings]]" ([[17 April]] [[1991]], OK Hotel, Seattle, Washington) (2:45)
*'''September 22, 1990 show at the Motor Sports International Garage, Seattle, Washington.'''
#<li value=13>"School"&nbsp;– 2:33
# "[[Jesus Doesn't Want Me For A Sunbeam]]" (The Vaselines cover) ([[31 October]] [[1991]], Paramount Theatre, Seattle, Washington) (3:32)
*'''October 11, 1990 show at North Shore Surf Club, Olympia, Washington.''' (Drummer Dave Grohl's first show)
# "[[Talk to Me (song)|Talk To Me]]" ([[4 October]] [[1992]], The Crocodile Cafe, Seattle Washington) (3:35)
#<li value=14>"Love Buzz"&nbsp;– 3:40
# "[[Seasons In The Sun]]" ([[Terry Jacks]] cover) ([[22 January]] [[1993]] BMG Ariola Studios, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) (3:22)
*'''April 17, 1991 show at [[OK Hotel]], Seattle, Washington.'''
==Chart positions==
#<li value=15>"Pennyroyal Tea" (first live performance)&nbsp;– 1:55
{| class="wikitable"
#"Smells Like Teen Spirit" (Kurt Cobain/Dave Grohl/Krist Novoselic) (first live performance)&nbsp;– 6:16
!Year
#"Territorial Pissings"&nbsp;– 2:45
!Chart
*'''October 31, 1991 show at [[Paramount Theatre (Seattle, Washington)|the Paramount Theatre]], Seattle, Washington.'''
!Position
#<li value=18>"[[Jesus Doesn't Want Me for a Sunbeam]]" ([[Eugene Kelly]]/[[Frances McKee]])&nbsp;– 3:32
*'''October 4, 1992 show at [[the Crocodile Cafe]], Seattle Washington.'''
#<li value=19>"[[Talk to Me (Nirvana song)|Talk to Me]]"&nbsp;– 3:35
*'''January 22, 1993 studio session at BMG Ariola Studios, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.''' Producer: Craig Montgomery.
#<li value=20>"[[Seasons in the Sun]]" ([[Terry Jacks]])&nbsp;– 3:40

==Personnel==
'''Nirvana'''
*[[Kurt Cobain]] – lead vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, bass and percussion on "Don't Want It All", drums on "Seasons in the Sun"
*[[Krist Novoselic]] – bass, accordion on "Jesus Doesn't Want Me for a Sunbeam" (rehearsal), guitar on "Seasons in the Sun"
*[[Dave Grohl]] – drums, backing vocals, lead vocals and guitar on "Marigold", bass on "Drain You" and "Seasons in the Sun"
*[[Aaron Burckhard]] – drums on tracks 1-5 (disc one)
*[[Dale Crover]] – drums on tracks 4-10 (disc one) and track 8 (disc two)
*[[Chad Channing]] – drums on tracks 16, 17, 21-23 (disc one), tracks 6, 7 (disc two) and tracks 1-12 (DVD)
*[[Dan Peters]] – drums on track 13 (DVD)
*[[Jason Everman]] – 2nd guitar on track 17 (disc one) and track 10 (DVD)
*[[Pat Smear]] – 2nd guitar on track 15 (disc three)

'''Additional personnel'''
* Tony Poukkula - guitar on track 1 (disc one)<ref>{{cite web |title=live nirvana concert chronology xx xx, 1987 - the green house, raymond, wa, us |url=https://www.livenirvana.com/concerts/87/87-xx-xxb.php |website=LiveNirvana.com |access-date=16 March 2024}}</ref>
*[[Mark Lanegan]] – guitar on tracks 19, 20 (disc one)
*[[Mark Pickerel]] – drums on tracks 19, 20 (disc one)
*[[Melora Creager]] – cello on track 15 (disc three)

==''Sliver: The Best of the Box''==
{{Infobox album
| name = Sliver: The Best of the Box
| type = compilation
| artist = [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]]
| cover = SliverBest.jpg
| alt =
| released = {{start date|2005|11|1}}
| recorded = 1985–1994
| venue =
| studio =
| genre = {{flatlist|
*[[Grunge]]
*[[alternative rock]]
}}
| length = 74:24
| language = [[English language|English]]
| label = [[DGC Records|DGC]]
| producer =
| prev_title = With the Lights Out
| prev_year = 2004
| next_title = [[Live at Reading]]
| next_year = 2009
}}
{{Album ratings
| rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
| rev1Score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r803569|pure_url=yes}}</ref>
| rev2 = ''[[Blender (magazine)|Blender]]''
| rev2Score = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref>[http://www.blender.com/guide/new/53695/sliver-best-box.html]{{dead link|date=November 2011}}<!--Maybe someone will be lucky enough to open the archived pages (I failed):
* Capture from April 26, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090426021927/http://www.blender.com/guide/new/53695/sliver-best-box.html
* Capture from February 23, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100223042322/http://www.blender.com/guide/new/53695/sliver-best-box.html
--></ref>
| rev3 = ''[[Drowned in Sound]]''
| rev3score = 4/10<ref>{{cite web |url=http://drownedinsound.com/releases/6803/reviews/485502- |title=Nirvana - Sliver: The Best of the Box |date=November 11, 2005 |access-date=31 August 2017 |work=[[Drowned in Sound]] |last=Driver |first=Mike |archive-date=31 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170831131608/http://drownedinsound.com/releases/6803/reviews/485502- |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| rev4 = ''[[The Encyclopedia of Popular Music]]''
|rev4score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="Larkin 2011">{{cite book |title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Encyclopedia of Popular Music]] |publisher=[[Omnibus Press]] |edition= 5th concise |year=2011 |last=Larkin |first=Colin |author-link=Colin Larkin (writer)}}</ref>
| rev5 = ''[[Pitchfork Media|Pitchfork]]''
| rev5Score = 6.8/10<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/20404-sliver-the-best-of-the-box |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081227142535/http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/20404-sliver-the-best-of-the-box |archive-date=December 27, 2008 |date=October 31, 2005 |access-date=August 31, 2017 |title=Nirvana: Sliver: The Best of the Box |work=[[Pitchfork Media|Pitchfork]] |last=Petrusich |first=Amanda}}</ref>
}}

===Recording and release===
''Sliver: The Best of the Box'' is a compilation album by the American rock band, [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]], released in November 2005. It contains 19 tracks from the band's 2004 rarities box set, ''With the Lights Out'', as well as three previously unreleased recordings: "Spank Thru", from the 1985 "[[Fecal Matter (band)|Fecal Matter]]" [[demo (music)|demo]], a 1990 studio recording of "[[Sappy]]", and a 1991 [[boombox]] demo of "[[Come as You Are (Nirvana song)|Come as You Are]]". ''Sliver: The Best of the Box'' opened at number 21 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]]. Nielson Soundscan reported that as of 2016, ''Sliver: The Best of the Box'' has sold 376,000 copies in the U.S.<ref name="BillboardRihanna"/>{{update needed|reason=2016 was 7 years ago|date=December 2023}}

===Artwork===
According to ''[[Rolling Stone]]'', the title and [[album cover|cover photograph]] for ''Sliver: The Best of the Box'' were chosen by [[Frances Bean Cobain|Frances Bean]], the daughter of Cobain and [[Courtney Love]]. The cover photograph depicts a cardboard box filled with Nirvana and Cobain tapes, including a copy of the Fecal Matter demo. Some of the tapes have spilled out of the box and are strewn across the floor.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/7661197/unreleased_nirvana_due |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070708231223/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/7661197/unreleased_nirvana_due |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 8, 2007 |title=Unreleased Nirvana Due |access-date=2007-06-25 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |author=Lash, Jolie |date=September 10, 2005}}</ref>

===Track listing===
#"[[Spank Thru]]" (December 1985 [[Fecal Matter (band)|Fecal Matter]] demo)&nbsp;– 3:45
#"[[Heartbreaker (Led Zeppelin song)|Heartbreaker]]" (March 1987 show in Raymond, Washington)&nbsp;– 2:59
#"Mrs. Butterworth" (Summer 1987 band demo)&nbsp;– 4:05
#"Floyd the Barber" (January 23, 1988 show in Tacoma, WA)&nbsp;– 2:33
#"Clean Up Before She Comes" (1988 home demo)&nbsp;– 3:12
#"[[About a Girl (Nirvana song)|About a Girl]]" (1988 home demo)&nbsp;– 2:44
#"Blandest" (June 6, 1988 studio session in Seattle, Washington. Produced by Jack Endino)&nbsp;– 3:56
#"Ain't It a Shame" (August 1989 studio session in Seattle, WA)&nbsp;– 2:02
#"[[Sappy]]" (January 1990 studio session in Seattle, Washington. Produced by Jack Endino)&nbsp;– 3:33
#"[[Opinion (song)|Opinion]]" (September 25, 1990 KAOS radio show)&nbsp;– 1:35
#"[[Lithium (Nirvana song)|Lithium]]" (September 25, 1990 KAOS radio show)&nbsp;– 1:49
#"[[Sliver (song)|Sliver]]" (1990 home demo)&nbsp;– 2:10
#"[[Smells Like Teen Spirit]]" (March 1991 boombox demo)&nbsp;– 5:40
#"[[Come as You Are (Nirvana song)|Come as You Are]]" (March 1991 boombox demo)&nbsp;– 4:10
#"[[Old Age (song)|Old Age]]" (May 1991 studio session for [[Nevermind]])&nbsp;– 4:21
#"[[Puss/Oh, the Guilt|Oh, the Guilt]]" (April 1992 studio session in Seattle, WA)&nbsp;– 3:25
#"[[Rape Me]]" (May 1991 solo acoustic home demo)&nbsp;– 3:23
#"Rape Me" (October 1992 studio session in Seattle, WA)&nbsp;– 3:03
#"[[Heart-Shaped Box]]" (January 1993 studio session in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)&nbsp;– 5:32
#"[[Do Re Mi (Nirvana song)|Do Re Mi]]" (1994 boombox demo solo acoustic)&nbsp;– 4:24
#"[[You Know You're Right]]" (1994 boombox demo solo acoustic)&nbsp;– 2:30
#"[[All Apologies]]" (undated boombox demo solo acoustic, circa 1992)&nbsp;– 3:33

== Charts ==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}

=== ''With the Lights Out'' ===
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|-
|-
| 2004
!Chart (2004)
!Peak<br />position
| Top Canadian Albums
| No. 10
|-
|-
{{Album chart|Austria|34|artist=Nirvana|album=With the Lights Out|rowheader=true|access-date=May 8, 2016}}
| 2004
| Official Japanese Albums Chart
| No. 16
|-
|-
{{Album chart|BillboardCanada|10|artist=Nirvana|rowheader=true|access-date=May 8, 2016}}
| 2004
| Top Internet Albums
| No. 19
|-
|-
{{Album chart|Flanders|21|artist=Nirvana|album=With the Lights Out|rowheader=true|access-date=May 8, 2016}}
| 2004
| Billboard Top 200
| No. 19
|-
|-
{{Album chart|Wallonia|25|artist=Nirvana|album=With the Lights Out|rowheader=true|access-date=May 8, 2016}}
| 2004
| Official French Albums Chart
| No. 20
|-
|-
{{Album chart|Netherlands|65|artist=Nirvana|album=With the Lights Out|rowheader=true|access-date=May 8, 2016}}
| 2004
| Official Italian Albums Chart
| No. 21
|-
|-
{{Album chart|France|20|artist=Nirvana|album=With the Lights Out|rowheader=true|access-date=May 8, 2016}}
| 2004
| Official Irish Albums Chart
| No. 23
|-
|-
!scope="row"|German Albums ([[GfK Entertainment charts|Offizielle Top 100]])<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/album-details-5279|title=Offizielle Deutsche Charts|publisher=offiziellecharts.de|language=de|access-date=October 31, 2021}}</ref>
| 2004
|align="center"|48
| Official Switzerland Albums Chart
| No. 28
|-
|-
{{Album chart|Ireland2|23|artist=Nirvana|album=With the Lights Out|rowheader=true|access-date=August 3, 2020}}
| 2004
| Official Belgium Albums Chart
| No. 29
|-
|-
{{Album chart|Italy|21|artist=Nirvana|album=With the Lights Out|rowheader=true|access-date=May 8, 2016}}
| 2004
| Official Norwegian Albums Chart
| No. 31
|-
|-
!scope="row"|[[Oricon Albums Chart|Japanese Albums]] ([[Oricon]])<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/search/result.php?kbn=ja&types=rnk&year=2004&month=12&week=2&submit5.x=20&submit5.y=11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017202148/http://www.oricon.co.jp/search/result.php?kbn=ja&types=rnk&year=2004&month=12&week=2&submit5.x=20&submit5.y=11 |title=Oricon Weekly Album Charts for the second week of December 2004 |archive-date=2012-10-17 |access-date=2015-05-25 |publisher=oricon ME inc. |language=ja}}</ref>
| 2004
| style="text-align:center;"|16
| Official Austrian Albums Chart
| No. 34
|-
|-
{{Album chart|New Zealand|39|artist=Nirvana|album=With the Lights Out|rowheader=true|access-date=May 8, 2016}}
| 2004
| Official Spanish Albums Chart
| No. 39
|-
|-
{{Album chart|Norway|31|artist=Nirvana|album=With the Lights Out|rowheader=true|access-date=May 8, 2016}}
| 2004
| Official German Albums Chart
| No. 48
|-
|-
!scope="row"|[[Scottish Singles and Albums Charts|Scottish Albums]] (OCC)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-albums-chart/20041128/40/ |title=Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100 |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=October 31, 2021}}</ref>
| 2004
|align="center"|26
| Official UK Albums Chart
|-
| No. 56
{{Album chart|Switzerland|28|artist=Nirvana|album=With the Lights Out|rowheader=true|access-date=May 8, 2016}}
|-
{{Album chart|UK|56|artist=Nirvana|album=With the Lights Out|rowheader=true|access-date=May 8, 2016}}
|-
{{Album chart|UKRock|2|date=20041205|rowheader=true|access-date=June 20, 2020}}
|-
{{Album chart|Billboard200|19|artist=Nirvana|rowheader=true|access-date=May 8, 2016}}
|-
!scope="row"|US [[Billboard charts|Top Music Video Sales]] (''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'')<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/nirvana/chart-history/music-video-sales |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190807155820/https://www.billboard.com/music/nirvana/chart-history/music-video-sales |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 7, 2019 |title=Nirvana - Chart History - Music Video Sales |website=billboard.com |publisher=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=August 7, 2019}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|3
|}
|}


=== Year-end charts ===
==Sales==
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|-
Japanese sales [[5 December]] [[2004]], 9 weeks, 54,823.
!Chart (2005)
!Position
|-
!scope="row"|US ''Billboard'' 200<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2005/top-billboard-200-albums |title=Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2005 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=October 6, 2021}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|180
|}

{{col-2}}

=== ''Sliver: The Best of the Box'' ===
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|-
!Chart (2005)
!Peak<br />position
|-
! scope="row"| Australian Albums ([[ARIA Charts|ARIA]])<ref>{{cite Ryan|page=204}}</ref>
| align="center"| 95
|-
{{Album chart|Austria|26|artist=Nirvana|album=Sliver - the Best of the Box|rowheader=true|access-date=May 8, 2016|refname=AustriaSliver}}
|-
!scope="row"|German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/album-details-24434 |title=Offizielle Deutsche Charts |publisher=offiziellecharts.de |language=de |access-date=October 31, 2021}}</ref>
|align="center"|97
|-
{{Album chart|Italy|40|artist=Nirvana|album=Sliver - The Best of the Box|rowheader=true|refname=ItalySliver}}
|-
!scope="row"|Japanese Albums (Oricon)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/music/release/d/624686/1/ |title=Sliver: The Best of Nirvana +3 |publisher=[[Oricon]] Style |access-date=2009-11-07 |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604111445/http://www.oricon.co.jp/music/release/d/624686/1/ |archive-date=June 4, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/120707/products/624686/1/ |title=Nirvana – Sliver: The Best of Nirvana+3 |access-date=2015-05-25 |publisher=oricon ME inc. |language=ja}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|33
|-
{{album chart|Scotland|49|date=20051106|rowheader=true|access-date=October 31, 2021}}
|-
{{Album chart|Switzerland|87|artist=Nirvana|album=Sliver - the Best of the Box|rowheader=true|refname=SwitzerlandSliver}}
|-
{{Album chart|UK|56|artist=Nirvana|rowheader=true|access-date=May 8, 2016|refname=UKSliver}}
|-
{{Album chart|UKRock|6|date=20051106|rowheader=true|access-date=June 20, 2020|refname=UKRockSliver}}
|-
{{Album chart|Billboard200|21|artist=Nirvana|rowheader=true|access-date=May 8, 2016}}
|}
{{col-2}}
{{col-end}}

== Certifications ==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
{{certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for ''With the Lights Out''}}
{{certification Table Entry|title=With the Lights Out|artist=Nirvana |type=album |region=United Kingdom |award=Silver |relyear=2004|certyear=2015|certmonth=6|id=13286-602-2|accessdate=March 18, 2023}}
{{certification Table Entry|title=With the Lights Out|artist=Nirvana |type=album |region=United States |award=Platinum|certyear=2004|accessdate=March 18, 2023}}
{{certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|streaming=true}}
{{col-2}}
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for ''Sliver: The Best of the Box''}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=album|award=Gold|relyear=2004|certyear=2024|access-date=March 8, 2024|refname="ARIA"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|title=Sliver|artist=Nirvana|type=album|region=France|award=Gold|relyear=2004|certyear=2022|accessdate=October 25, 2022}}
{{Certification Table Entry|title=Sliver - The Best Of The Box|artist=Nirvana |type=album |region=United Kingdom |award=Silver |relyear=2005|certyear=2023|certmonth=3|id=18809-602-2|accessdate=March 18, 2023}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|streaming=true|noshipments=true}}
{{col-2}}
{{col-end}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}


==External links==
==External links==
<!-- This is a licensed stream for the album, which is allowed under Wikipedia polices -->
*[http://www.nirvanaguide.com/ Nirvana Live Guide] - Comprehensive guide to Nirvana's live performances and recordings
*[https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZGh95p3UpwzGFAlpkKumRpcfKzQdDLn6 ''With the Lights Out''] at [[YouTube]] (streamed copy where licensed)
*[http://www.nirvanabox.com/ nirvanabox.com] - The official site promoting the box set release
*[http://www.nirvanabox.com Nirvanabox.com] – The official site promoting the release of ''With the Lights Out''.
*[http://www.nirvanaclub.com/news/09_2002.htm The Internet Nirvana Fan Club's report on the settlement of the Nirvana lawsuit], September 30, 2002
*{{Discogs master|42482-Nirvana-With-The-Lights-Out|With The Lights Out|type=album}}
*{{Discogs master|42484-Nirvana-Sliver-The-Best-Of-The-Box|Sliver: The Best Of The Box|type=album}}


{{Nirvana (band)}}
{{Nirvana (band)}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Albums produced by Steve Fisk]]
[[it:With the Lights Out]]
[[Category:Peel Sessions recordings]]

[[Category:2004 albums]]
[[Category:Compilation albums published posthumously]]
[[Category:Box set albums]]
[[Category:Nirvana (band) video albums]]
[[Category:Nirvana albums]]
[[Category:Nirvana (band) live albums]]
[[Category:Nirvana (band) compilation albums]]
[[Category:2004 live albums]]
[[Category:2004 compilation albums]]
[[Category:2000s live video albums]]
[[Category:Geffen Records compilation albums]]
[[Category:Geffen Records live albums]]
[[Category:Geffen Records video albums]]
[[Category:Universal Records compilation albums]]
[[Category:Universal Records live albums]]
[[Category:Universal Records video albums]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Steve Albini]]
[[Category:Video albums published posthumously]]
[[Category:Live albums published posthumously]]
[[Category:2005 compilation albums]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Jack Endino]]
[[Category:B-side compilation albums]]

Latest revision as of 03:26, 16 December 2024

With the Lights Out
Box set by
Nirvana
ReleasedNovember 23, 2004 (2004-11-23)
Recorded1987–1994
Genre
Length
CD 1: 71:25
CD 2: 71:31
CD 3: 73:31 		Overall:
216:27
DVD: 66:14
LabelDGC
Producer
Nirvana chronology
Nirvana
(2002) 		With the Lights Out
(2004) 		Sliver: The Best of the Box
(2005)

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".

With the Lights Out was planned for release in 2001, but was delayed by a legal battle with Courtney Love, the widow of Nirvana singer, Kurt Cobain.[1] As of 2016, it had sold 546,000 copies in the US.[2]

Background

[edit]

Rumors of a posthumous Nirvana anthology surfaced in the mid-1990s, not long after the death of the singer and guitarist, Kurt Cobain, in April 1994. It was reported in Kerrang! in April 1999 that the surviving Nirvana members, Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic, were planning a box set to be released in 2000 at the earliest.[3] It was later announced that a 45-track box set would be released in September 2001, to mark the 10th anniversary of the band's breakthrough album, Nevermind, but it was delayed by a legal battle with Cobain's widow, Courtney Love.[1][4]

Much of the dispute centered on the unreleased song "You Know You're Right", recorded in January 1994 during the band's final studio session. Grohl and Novoselic wanted it for the box set, but Love blocked its release and sued them for control of Nirvana's legacy.[4] Love's lawsuit asserted that "the parties have fundamentally different concepts of how to manage the musical and artistic legacy of Kurt Cobain", which resulted "in a stalemate of decision making".[5] She believed that "You Know You're Right" would be "wasted" on a box set, and instead belonged on a single-disc compilation similar to the Beatles' 1.[6]

In 2002, the legal battle was settled, and "You Know You're Right" appeared on the "best-of" compilation Nirvana. This paved the way for what became the With the Lights Out box set, which arrived in November 2004, over three years after its original release date but with more music than originally promised, including an acoustic demo of "You Know You're Right".[7]

Release

[edit]

Promotion

[edit]

Before the release of With the Lights Out, a promotional EP, Selections from With the Lights Out, was sent to radio stations, featuring the songs "White Lace and Strange", "Blandest", "Lithium", "Heart-Shaped Box" and "You Know You're Right" from the box set.[8] "Lithium" was also released as an exclusive iTunes downloadable single on November 22, 2004.[9] The music video for the original version of "In Bloom", made in 1990 and first released on the Sub Pop Video Network Program VHS compilation in 1991,[10] was released to music television to promote the box set.[11][12] The video appears on the box set's DVD. An online trailer was also released for the box set, featuring footage from the DVD and audio from the three CDs.[13][14]

Packaging

[edit]

With the Lights Out is packaged in heat-sensitive material which changes color when touched, revealing images of recording session tapes.[15]

Each of the three CDs loosely represents the rare recordings from three periods in Nirvana's history, in line with the band's three studio albums, Bleach, Nevermind and In Utero, which were released in 1989, 1991 and 1993 respectively. The DVD contains rare live performances and rehearsals from throughout the band's career.

It includes a 60-page booklet which contains liner notes by Thurston Moore of the American rock band Sonic Youth and the journalist Neil Strauss, as well as photographs and a chronological catalog of the band's recording history, including studio sessions, television and radio appearances, live performances and home demo recordings sessions.

The band's May 6, 1987 radio session at KAOS 89.3 FM in Olympia, Washington, is mislabeled as being from April 17, 1987.[15]

Reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic76/100[16]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[17]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[18]
Entertainment WeeklyA−[19]
The Guardian[20]
NME7/10[21]
Pitchfork Media6.3/10[22]
PopMatters5/10[23]
Q[24]
Rolling Stone[25]
SpinA[26]

With the Lights Out received generally positive reviews from music critics,[16] many of whom saw it as a valuable glimpse into the band's evolution. Julian Marshall of the NME called it "a humanising, comprehensive and often heartbreaking document of a man who, in five years, changed the face of music, almost by accident".[27] John Jeremiah Sullivan of New York Magazine called it "an appropriately eccentric testament to Cobain's talent".[28]

However, several critics felt it contained too much second-rate material never intended for release. Mark Richardson of Pitchfork wrote, "Those hoping for a trove of overlooked gems will be disappointed ... Simply put, there's enough good stuff here for a solid single disc."[22] Tim O'Neil of PopMatters wrote, "The majority of the material presented here will appeal only to a select group of hardcore fans, music historians and critics."[29]

Track listing

[edit]

All songs written by Kurt Cobain, except where noted.

Disc one

[edit]
  1. "Heartbreaker" (John Bonham/John Paul Jones/Jimmy Page/Robert Plant) – 2:59
  2. "Anorexorcist" (a.k.a. "Annorexorcist") – 2:44
  3. "White Lace and Strange" (Chris Bond) – 2:09
  4. "Help Me, I'm Hungry" (a.k.a. "Vendetagainst") – 2:41
  2. "Mrs. Butterworth" (a.k.a. "Unknown #2") – 4:05
  2. "If You Must" – 4:01
  3. "Pen Cap Chew" – 4:02
  2. "Downer" – 1:43
  3. "Floyd the Barber" – 2:33
  4. "Raunchola" (a.k.a. "Erectum")/"Moby Dick" ("Moby Dick" – John Bonham/John Paul Jones/Jimmy Page) – 6:24
  • 1987–1988 solo 4-track home recordings, Aberdeen, Washington.
  2. "Beans" – 1:32
  3. "Don't Want It All" (a.k.a. "Seed") – 2:26
  4. "Clean Up Before She Comes" – 3:12
  5. "Polly" – 2:30
  6. "About a Girl" – 2:44
  • June 11, 1988 studio session at Reciprocal Recording Studios, Seattle, Washington.[31] Producer: Jack Endino
  2. "Blandest" – 3:56
  2. "Dive" (Kurt Cobain/Krist Novoselic) – 4:50
  • August 20 and 28, 1989 studio session at Reciprocal Recording Studios, Seattle, Washington. Producer: Jack Endino. (Studio session for "the Jury", a Lead Belly cover band featuring members of Nirvana and the Screaming Trees)
  2. "They Hung Him on a Cross" (Huddie Ledbetter) – 1:57
  3. "Grey Goose" (Huddie Ledbetter) – 4:36
  4. "Ain't It a Shame" (Huddie Ledbetter) – 2:01
  • September 1989 studio session at Music Source Studios, Seattle, Washington. Producer: Steve Fisk.
  2. "Token Eastern Song" – 3:21
  3. "Even in His Youth" – 3:12
  4. "Polly" – 2:36

Disc two

[edit]
  • September 25, 1990 solo radio session on Boy Meets Girl, KAOS 89.3 FM, Olympia, Washington. Host: Calvin Johnson.
  1. "Opinion" – 1:34
  2. "Lithium" – 1:49
  3. "Been a Son" – 1:12
  • 1990 boombox-recorded home demos, Olympia, Washington.
  2. "Sliver" – 2:09
  3. "Where Did You Sleep Last Night" (traditional) – 2:31
  2. "Pay to Play" (early version of "Stay Away") (previously released on DGC Rarities: Volume 1 in 1994) – 3:29
  3. "Here She Comes Now" (John Cale/Sterling Morrison/Lou Reed) (previously released on split-single with the Melvins in 1991)[32] – 5:01
  2. "Drain You" – 2:38
  • January 1, 1991 studio session at Music Source Studios, Seattle, Washington. Producer: Craig Montgomery
  2. "Aneurysm" (Kurt Cobain/Dave Grohl/Krist Novoselic) (previously released on "Smells Like Teen Spirit" single in 1991) – 4:47
  • March 1991 band rehearsal, Tacoma, Washington.
  2. "Smells Like Teen Spirit" (Kurt Cobain/Dave Grohl/Krist Novoselic) – 5:40
  2. "Breed" (Butch Vig rough mix) – 3:07
  3. "Verse Chorus Verse" – 3:17
  4. "Old Age" – 4:20
  2. "Endless, Nameless" – 8:47
  3. "Dumb" – 2:35
  • October 21, 1990 radio session at Maida Vale Studios, London, England. (John Peel session)
  2. "D-7" (Greg Sage) (previously released on "Lithium" single in 1992) – 3:46
  • April 7, 1992 studio session at Laundry Room Studios, Seattle, Washington. Producer: Barrett Jones.
  2. "Oh, the Guilt" (alternate mix of previously released song on split-single with the Jesus Lizard in 1992) – 3:25
  3. "Curmudgeon" (alternate mix of previously released song on "Lithium" single in 1992) – 3:03
  4. "Return of the Rat" (Greg Sage) (alternate mix of previously released song on Eight Songs for Greg Sage and the Wipers in 1993) – 3:09
  • May 1991 studio session at Sound City Studios, Van Nuys, California. Producer: Butch Vig. (Studio session for Nevermind)
  2. "Smells Like Teen Spirit" (Kurt Cobain/Dave Grohl/Krist Novoselic) (Butch Vig mix) – 4:59

Disc three

[edit]
  2. "Rape Me" – 3:23
  • October 25–26, 1992 studio session at Word of Mouth Studios (former Reciprocal Recording Studios), Seattle, Washington. Producer: Jack Endino.
  2. "Rape Me" – 3:01
  • Winter 1992 band rehearsal, Seattle, Washington.
  2. "Scentless Apprentice" (Kurt Cobain/Dave Grohl/Krist Novoselic) – 9:32
  2. "Heart-Shaped Box" – 5:31
  3. "I Hate Myself and Want to Die" – 4:03 (mislabelled as the "b-side" version)
  4. "Milk It" – 4:34
  5. "Moist Vagina" (a.k.a. "MV") – 1:56
  6. "Gallons of Rubbing Alcohol Flow Through the Strip" (Kurt Cobain/Dave Grohl/Krist Novoselic) (previously released on non-U.S. versions of In Utero, 1993) – 7:33
  7. "The Other Improv" – 6:24
  • Fall or Winter 1992 solo boombox-recorded home demos, Seattle, Washington.
  2. "Serve the Servants" – 1:36
  3. "Very Ape" – 1:52
  • 1993 solo boombox-recorded home demo, Seattle, Washington.
  2. "Pennyroyal Tea" – 3:30
  • February 12–26, 1993 studio session at Pachyderm Studios, Cannon Falls, Minnesota. Producer: Steve Albini. (Studio session for In Utero)
  2. "Marigold" (Dave Grohl) (previously released on "Heart-Shaped Box" single in 1993) – 2:34
  3. "Sappy" (previously released as "Verse Chorus Verse" on No Alternative in 1993) – 3:26
  • February 5, 1994 band rehearsal at Pavilhão Dramático, Cascais, Portugal.
  2. "Jesus Doesn't Want Me for a Sunbeam" (Eugene Kelly/Frances McKee) – 3:57
  • 1994 solo boombox-recorded home demo, Seattle, Washington.
  2. "Do Re Mi" – 4:24
  • 1993 or 1994 solo boombox-recorded home demo, Seattle, Washington.
  2. "You Know You're Right" – 2:30
  • 1991 or 1992 solo boombox-recorded home demo, Olympia, Washington, or Seattle, Washington.
  2. "All Apologies" – 3:33

DVD

[edit]
  • 1988 band rehearsal, residence of bassist Krist Novoselic's mother, Aberdeen, Washington.
  2. "Love Buzz" (Robbie van Leeuwen) – 2:32
  3. "Scoff" – 0:47
  4. "About a Girl" – 3:05
  5. "Big Long Now" – 4:22
  6. "Immigrant Song" (Jimmy Page/Robert Plant) – 1:57
  7. "Spank Thru" – 3:10
  8. "Hairspray Queen" – 3:37
  9. "School" – 2:53
  10. "Mr. Moustache" – 3:47
  2. "Big Cheese" (Kurt Cobain/Krist Novoselic) – 3:13
  2. "Sappy" – 4:27 (mislabeled as track 12 on the cover)
  2. "In Bloom" – 4:28 (mislabeled as track 11 on the cover) (Pre-Nevermind version, featuring Chad Channing on drums, recorded April 1990 at Smart Studios, Madison, Wisconsin. Producer: Butch Vig)
  • September 22, 1990 show at the Motor Sports International Garage, Seattle, Washington.
  2. "School" – 2:33
  • October 11, 1990 show at North Shore Surf Club, Olympia, Washington. (Drummer Dave Grohl's first show)
  2. "Love Buzz" – 3:40
  • April 17, 1991 show at OK Hotel, Seattle, Washington.
  2. "Pennyroyal Tea" (first live performance) – 1:55
  3. "Smells Like Teen Spirit" (Kurt Cobain/Dave Grohl/Krist Novoselic) (first live performance) – 6:16
  4. "Territorial Pissings" – 2:45
  2. "Jesus Doesn't Want Me for a Sunbeam" (Eugene Kelly/Frances McKee) – 3:32
  2. "Talk to Me" – 3:35
  • January 22, 1993 studio session at BMG Ariola Studios, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Producer: Craig Montgomery.
  2. "Seasons in the Sun" (Terry Jacks) – 3:40

Personnel

[edit]

Nirvana

  • Kurt Cobain – lead vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, bass and percussion on "Don't Want It All", drums on "Seasons in the Sun"
  • Krist Novoselic – bass, accordion on "Jesus Doesn't Want Me for a Sunbeam" (rehearsal), guitar on "Seasons in the Sun"
  • Dave Grohl – drums, backing vocals, lead vocals and guitar on "Marigold", bass on "Drain You" and "Seasons in the Sun"
  • Aaron Burckhard – drums on tracks 1-5 (disc one)
  • Dale Crover – drums on tracks 4-10 (disc one) and track 8 (disc two)
  • Chad Channing – drums on tracks 16, 17, 21-23 (disc one), tracks 6, 7 (disc two) and tracks 1-12 (DVD)
  • Dan Peters – drums on track 13 (DVD)
  • Jason Everman – 2nd guitar on track 17 (disc one) and track 10 (DVD)
  • Pat Smear – 2nd guitar on track 15 (disc three)

Additional personnel

Sliver: The Best of the Box

[edit]
Sliver: The Best of the Box
Compilation album by
Nirvana
ReleasedNovember 1, 2005 (2005-11-01)
Recorded1985–1994
Genre
Length74:24
LanguageEnglish
LabelDGC
Nirvana chronology
With the Lights Out
(2004) 		Sliver: The Best of the Box
(2005) 		Live at Reading
(2009)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[35]
Blender[36]
Drowned in Sound4/10[37]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[18]
Pitchfork6.8/10[38]

Recording and release

[edit]

Sliver: The Best of the Box is a compilation album by the American rock band, Nirvana, released in November 2005. It contains 19 tracks from the band's 2004 rarities box set, With the Lights Out, as well as three previously unreleased recordings: "Spank Thru", from the 1985 "Fecal Matter" demo, a 1990 studio recording of "Sappy", and a 1991 boombox demo of "Come as You Are". Sliver: The Best of the Box opened at number 21 on the Billboard 200. Nielson Soundscan reported that as of 2016, Sliver: The Best of the Box has sold 376,000 copies in the U.S.[2][needs update]

Artwork

[edit]

According to Rolling Stone, the title and cover photograph for Sliver: The Best of the Box were chosen by Frances Bean, the daughter of Cobain and Courtney Love. The cover photograph depicts a cardboard box filled with Nirvana and Cobain tapes, including a copy of the Fecal Matter demo. Some of the tapes have spilled out of the box and are strewn across the floor.[39]

Track listing

[edit]
  1. "Spank Thru" (December 1985 Fecal Matter demo) – 3:45
  2. "Heartbreaker" (March 1987 show in Raymond, Washington) – 2:59
  3. "Mrs. Butterworth" (Summer 1987 band demo) – 4:05
  4. "Floyd the Barber" (January 23, 1988 show in Tacoma, WA) – 2:33
  5. "Clean Up Before She Comes" (1988 home demo) – 3:12
  6. "About a Girl" (1988 home demo) – 2:44
  7. "Blandest" (June 6, 1988 studio session in Seattle, Washington. Produced by Jack Endino) – 3:56
  8. "Ain't It a Shame" (August 1989 studio session in Seattle, WA) – 2:02
  9. "Sappy" (January 1990 studio session in Seattle, Washington. Produced by Jack Endino) – 3:33
  10. "Opinion" (September 25, 1990 KAOS radio show) – 1:35
  11. "Lithium" (September 25, 1990 KAOS radio show) – 1:49
  12. "Sliver" (1990 home demo) – 2:10
  13. "Smells Like Teen Spirit" (March 1991 boombox demo) – 5:40
  14. "Come as You Are" (March 1991 boombox demo) – 4:10
  15. "Old Age" (May 1991 studio session for Nevermind) – 4:21
  16. "Oh, the Guilt" (April 1992 studio session in Seattle, WA) – 3:25
  17. "Rape Me" (May 1991 solo acoustic home demo) – 3:23
  18. "Rape Me" (October 1992 studio session in Seattle, WA) – 3:03
  19. "Heart-Shaped Box" (January 1993 studio session in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) – 5:32
  20. "Do Re Mi" (1994 boombox demo solo acoustic) – 4:24
  21. "You Know You're Right" (1994 boombox demo solo acoustic) – 2:30
  22. "All Apologies" (undated boombox demo solo acoustic, circa 1992) – 3:33

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Reviews & Previews - In Print" (PDF). Billboard. 25 August 2001. p. 17. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
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