Incesticide
Nirvana's rawest creative moments, all the B-sides and rarities that never fit on a proper album, piled together in one chaotic heap.
Released in 1992 right on the tail of Nevermind's worldwide explosion, Incesticide is exactly what it looks like: a grab bag of B-sides, demos, and live recordings pulled together for the fans who wanted more than the radio hits. It isn't a studio album in any conventional sense — it's closer to Cobain's sketchbook, collecting tracks that had only surfaced on singles or sat in a drawer for years. You get this strange, wonderful back-and-forth: quiet acoustic takes in one stretch, then some properly ugly punk riffs crashing in on the next. It works because it shows the band doing something other than just writing the songs you'd expect from the record before it.
Quick Facts
- Artist
- Nirvana
- Released
- 1992-12-14
- Recorded
- January 23, 1988 – November 9, 1991
- Genre
- Grunge / alternative rock / punk rock / sludge metal
- Length
- 44:41
- Label
- DGC
- Producer
- Miti Adhikari · Dale Griffin · Jack Endino · Steve Fisk · Butch Vig
- Prev Title
- Hormoaning
- Prev Year
- 1992
- Next Title
- In Utero
- Next Year
- 1993
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The inclusion of covers like 'Big Cheese' and 'I Think I'm Paranoid' highlights Cobain's admiration for other artists while asserting his unique reinterpretation style. The album's existence validates the idea that Nirvana's genius was not limited to hit singles but permeated every recording session, rehearsal room, and live performance they ever undertook.
Reader's Guide
Incesticide was assembled quickly by DGC Records and Sub Pop to satisfy demand after Nevermind's massive success. It features tracks recorded between 1989 and 1992, produced by various engineers including Jack Endino and Butch Vig. The tracklist includes fan favorites like 'Sliver' and 'Stain,' alongside covers of songs by The Vaselines and Killing Joke. Critical reception was mixed upon release; some critics felt it was a cash grab, while others praised its authenticity and the glimpse into Cobain's creative mind. The album did not spawn a traditional single but helped solidify the cult status of tracks like 'Dive' and 'Aneurysm.'
Culturally, Incesticide remains a touchstone for understanding Nirvana's early years, influencing countless indie bands who value raw emotion over polished production.
Did You Know?
- The title was chosen by Kurt Cobain as a joke about the music industry's fascination with taboo subjects.
- Several tracks on the album were originally released as B-sides on singles from Bleach and Nevermind.
- The compilation includes a cover of 'Big Cheese' by The Vaselines, written by their frontwoman U2.
- It was one of the few Nirvana releases to feature significant input from Sub Pop alongside DGC Records.
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