Nirvana
The essential Nirvana records, ranked — where to start and what to reach for next.
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1NevermindNirvanaStart here
Nevermind
The record that dragged underground rock into the mainstream overnight, marrying punk energy to pop hooks and Butch Vig's clean production. 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' is the calling card, but the album runs deep. Its impact on the 1990s is impossible to overstate.
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2In UteroNirvanaClassic
In Utero
Raw, abrasive and uncompromising, the band's response to sudden fame, recorded with Steve Albini for maximum bite. Beneath the noise are some of Cobain's strongest melodies. A harrowing, honest record.
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3MTV Unplugged in New YorkNirvanaClassic
MTV Unplugged in New York
A hushed, haunting acoustic set that revealed the band's tenderness, recorded months before Cobain's death. Intimate and poignant. A beloved farewell.
- Smells Like Teen Spirit from Nevermind · on Best Songs of the 1990s, Best Rock Songs of All Time, Best 1990s Alternative & Indie Songs
Tracks we've featured in our best-of lists — tap a title to find it on Amazon Music.