Kurt Cobain's former bandmates Krist Novoselic and Dave Grohl clearly had an agenda in compiling From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah, the second of five post-Cobain releases. Because of its somber, intense nature, the first post-Cobain release, MTV Unplugged in New York, was largely perceived as music for a wake--an impression reinforced by MTV's constant airings of the special in the days following Cobain's suicide. But that acoustic detour aside, the Nirvana live experience was always about displaying a lust for life--not a death wish--with all the energy the musicians could muster. Wishkah offers 16 songs spanning the band's career, all delivered in the loudest, most frenzied, and sometimes the sloppiest versions imaginable. In the opening 'Intro', a snippet of pre-show noise, Cobain screams his heart out in joyful contrast to the haunted screams on 'Where Did You Sleep Last Night'. Then the group launches into 'School',which ends with the spirited chorus 'No recess'. But while it should be applauded, From the Muddy Banks of Wishkah isn't the great lost Nirvana album--there are no unheard gems to add to the catalogue.
Nirvana:
Kurt Cobain: Vocals, Guitar
Krist Novoselic: Bass
Dave Grohl: Drums
Featuring
Pat Smear: Guitar on Sliver, Scentless Apprentice, Heart-Shaped Box and Milk It Backing Vocals on Sliver and Heart-Shaped Box
Chad Channing: Drums on Polly & Breed
TRACK REVIEW
1. INTRO (0:52)
Just some pre-show noise and shouting
2. SCHOOL (2:40)
Starts off with an insane guitar riff then Kurt starts mumbling. The hook of this song is without doubt the chorus in which Kurt shouts 'No recess'. A pretty sweet solo is included here to. 3/5
3. DRAIN YOU (3:34)
I love the verse guitar in this song it has a very bouncy feel to it. At the start Kurt sings way of key. It also has the boring bit half way through the song where it's just a couple strums over a long period. 3/5
4. ANEURYSM (4:31)
Again, another great guitar intro, followed by more guitar until a minute in Kurt sings 'Come on over and do the twist'. I don't like the original but I love this version. I love the line 'I love you so much it makes me sick'. 4/5
5. SMELLS LIKE TEEN SPIRIT (4:47)
I was excited at the prospect of hearing their biggest hit live for the first time. But I was deeply disappointed. It is played way too fast. Despite that fact, it's still very good and you can hear the crowd go wild. Kurt's voice isn't something to remember here either. The solo is played well though. In the last verse you can hear the audience sing along with Kurt. 3.5/5
6. BEEN A SON (2:07)
In my opinion, the best performed song on the album. Kurt, Krist and Dave are all on top form here from start to finish. Nobody seems to like it and it took a lot of stick on the Greatest Hits album. Indeed, the live version is better than the studio. The guitar on this is especially great. 5/5
7. LITHIUM (4:10)
For the first second, I thought it was Polly, but it turned out to be fan favourite 'Lithium'. I've never took much liking to this song, and I find it over-rated by many. It's still a good track. Kurt singing is quite cracked. 3/5
8. SLIVER (1:55)
The baseline intro to this track is great and very funky, on this it's speedier than the original and when Kurt sings it has a slight country western feel to it. I hated the version on the Greatest Hits, but I love this version, I don't know why either. I think it's because of Kurt's singing in the live version. It's more powerful. 4.5/5
9. SPANK THRU (3:10)
I love the clean guitar intro to this song, it's so tasty. Kurt's singing is quite a put-off at the start. The guitar in the chorus is good as well. The drums are also great, especially before and during the guitar solo. Overall, its great, but it would be a 4 if the singing was better. 3.5/5
10. SCENTLESS APPRENTICE (3:31)
I believe this version is extremely better than on In Utero. I love the drum intro, and then the guitar wails in. You can't figure out what Kurt's saying, but that just adds to this version, because it's live. The drums and bass is solid throughout. Its great near the end when Kurt moans 'Go away' continuously. The studio version would have achieved 2.5./5 but this is tons better so I say it deserves 4.5/5
11. HEART-SHAPED BOX (4:41)
I was scared as this started because it was played faster than the original (like Smells Like Teen Spirit). It doesn't sound very 'Live' at the start but the chorus does. I love the pre-chorus when Kurt harmonizes with Pat Smear 'Throw down your umbilical noose, so I can climb right back'. I don’t really like the solo in this version because it has some weird space-like effect. 4.5/5
12. MILK IT (3:45)
I absolutely detest the In Utero version. I still don't like this version but its better than the other. The guitars in this are quite good. Kurt screams 'Doll Steak, Test Meat' well, but he just mumbles in the verse, which is annoying. 2/5
13. NEGATIVE CREEP (2:43)
Starts of with a lot of feedback, then in comes the guitar, with some weird bending effects. You don’' have a clue what Kurt's saying. The drumming is the main steak of this song. 1.5/5
14. POLLY (2:30)
I don't know why everyone whines about how there is some many different versions of this song. The unplugged version is basically the same as the Nevermind. In this version, the verse is clean while the chorus is distorted. The apple of this song is easily the last chorus because Kurt puts some much energy into the singing. This also features Chad Channing on drums instead of Dave. 4.5/5
15. BREED (3:28)
The second and last song with Chad on drums. It starts with high pitched feedback and a rather rushed drum roll. The verse has Kurt singing (well moaning) which is a deterrent from the song. The chorus which sounds lazy, lifts the song, but only fractionally. The solo is rather inaudible at the start, which is also frustrating. Kurt drags out the 'She said' line far too long. 1.5/5
16. TOURETTE'S (1:55)
I hate the original, but this version is frantic and insane. Starts of with guitar then Kurt goes mad. Drums and bass kick cheese too. 5/5
17. BLEW (3:36)
This song is good but nothing special, should've ended with Tourette's instead. The verse, as per usual, has Kurt mumbling and the chorus is filled with life and emotion with an insane solo to add. 3.5/5
What's good:
The 'Live' feeling
The band's energy
Been A Son
Tourettes
What's bad:
Ruined Classics (SLTS)
Kurt Moaning
