In Utero

A raw, unconventional album recorded in six days that reached number one worldwide.

In Utero is the third and final studio album by the American rock band Nirvana, released on September 21, 1993, by DGC Records. Following their mainstream breakthrough with Nevermind in 1991, the band hired Steve Albini to capture a more complex, abrasive sound that echoed their pre-fame work. Although songwriter Kurt Cobain described the album as "very impersonal," many tracks allude to his personal life and channel the angst prevalent on their previous record. Recorded in just six days at Pachyderm Studios, the project became a critical and commercial triumph, reaching number one on both US and UK charts while selling 15 million copies worldwide.

Quick Facts

Artist

Nirvana

Released

21 September 1993

Recorded

February 13–21
1993; February 22–26
1993 (mixing)

Genre

Grunge
noise rock
alternative rock
punk rock

Length

41:23

Label

DGC

Producer

Steve Albini

Lore & Background

The path to In Utero began with dissatisfaction; despite Nevermind's success, Kurt Cobain felt its production was too polished. Early in 1992, he told Rolling Stone the next record would showcase "both of the extremes" of their sound: raw and candy pop. After debating various producers, Nirvana chose Steve Albini in mid-1992 because Cobain admired his work on The Pixies' Surfer Rosa and The Breeders' Pod. Albini, known for rejecting digital recording and refusing royalties, accepted the job after dismissing Nirvana as "R.E.M. with a fuzzbox" but feeling sorry for them as artists at the mercy of their label. In February 1993, the band traveled to Pachyderm Studios in Cannon Falls, Minnesota, paying $24,000 for studio fees and giving Albini a flat fee of $100,000. Isolated by snow, they worked intensely with only engineer Bob Weston present. Novoselic later compared the conditions to a "gulag." They recorded basic tracks together as a band, using up to 30 microphones on Dave Grohl's drums for songs like "Very Ape" and "Tourette's," which were tracked in a kitchen for natural reverb.

Reader's Guide

In Utero stands as a definitive example of balancing artistic integrity with commercial success. To understand the album's impact, note that while Albini refused royalties, he took a flat fee of $100,000, whereas he stood to earn about $500,000 otherwise. The band paid for their own sessions ($24,000) specifically to avoid label interference from DGC. The album's reception defied industry fears; despite rumors that the sound was "unlistenable" and uncertainty about radio play, it reached number one on the US Billboard 200 and UK Albums Chart. Singles "Heart-Shaped Box" and "All Apologies" both topped the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. The record is certified 6× platinum in the US for 6 million sales. For listeners, the experience offers a direct line to Cobain's conflicted state: he initially feared the record was a failure but ultimately declared, "I'd rather die than do that [make another Nevermind]. This is exactly the kind of record I would buy as a fan."

Track listing

No.	Title	Length
1	Serve the Servants	3:36
2	Scentless Apprentice	3:48
3	Heart-Shaped Box	4:41
4	Rape Me	2:50
5	Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge on Seattle	4:09
6	Dumb	2:32
7	Very Ape	1:56
8	Milk It	3:55
9	Pennyroyal Tea	3:37
10	Radio Friendly Unit Shifter	4:51
11	Tourette's	1:35
12	All Apologies	3:51
Total length		41:23

Did You Know?

Nirvana paid for the recording sessions with their own money ($24,000) to prevent DGC Records from interfering.
Courtney Love created tension during the sessions by criticizing Cobain's work and being confrontational with everyone present.
The song 'I Hate Myself and Want to Die' was omitted from the final tracklist because Cobain felt the album already contained too many 'noise' songs.