STEVE ALBINI ON RECORDING NIRVANA'S 'IN UTERO'!!

[@PhatLvis]

Litt's remixes are good - and probably were necessary for the singles - but Milk It (all Albini) is the best song and mix on the record.

[@SlowerRiot]

Easily.

[@-solidsnake-]

Milk it is one of the heaviest pop songs ever

[@papitodd]

@@-solidsnake-heavy as shit. My favorite Nirvana song…rawest and realist. I love everything they Did though.

[@Errcyco]

Yeah making that album.. at that time.. with a band that huge, and pulling off a garage recording that goes platinum? Fucking impressive. Weirdly I don’t remember any flack from in Utero.. I do remember people being pissed at Muddy Banks being unlistenable.

[@johnkelley158]

Always appreciated his attention to the drum sounds. Can make or break in my opinion

[@SlowerRiot]

In utero is a landmark record for drums. It doesn't get any better, sound and performance wise

[@kylethor0]

Albini's intelligence is a joy to listen to.

[@ericvannielsen]

I love owning all the different mixes of this record. The B2B “accidental” pressing of Steve’s original mix was so eye-opening before the 2013 remaster that Steve did. And yeah, his 2013 mix has some personal taste choices of his, but it still ends up revealing little nooks and crannies of the mix you couldn’t otherwise hear. Love what I first heard in 1997 and love what is available to choose from now (especially the DMM remaster - thank you, Steve).

[@ryline666]

Is this mix online somewhere?

[@AggioSound]

As much as I love Nevermind for getting me hooked on Kurt and Nirvava. Bleach and In utero had so much more charm and character in regards to the sound. Not knocking Vig one bit. He recorded and produced an amazing album/ tracks for other complications. They lucked out with 3 Fantastic producers.

[@readmelancholystrumpetmaster]

Oh Really?

[@samsonlovesyou]

Nevermind is my favourite, including sonically. Vig is just incredible at generating a polished, glossy sound. But In Utero is right for what it was intended to be: raw. I can't quite imagine songs like "Milk It" in the Nevermind production style. Even musical errors were included, which they just wouldn't do in Nevermind.

[@Steaminlidz]

The level of polish on ‘Nevermind’ isn’t solely down to Butch Vig. It’s the Andy Wallace mix.

[@SuperSaiyanScandinavian]

i do love the sound of In Utero, but i'd say I still prefer the Nevermind production over Bleach, but that's just me. while in Utero sounded more raw than Nevermind it still sounded like a big budget record at the same time, but Bleach still sounds like a somewhat amateur production to me. I still like it, just prefer the production on the other two albums. I definitely think Butch's production style worked better for the Pumpkins since they had a much more grandiose sound than Nirvana, but then again some people still complain that Siamese Dream was also overproduced, but I absolutely love that album both production wise and songwriting wise. I know Butch worked on Gish as well which I also love, but I still prefer Siamese Dream.

[@anthonyfrancis2374]

I love Steve he’s always entertaining.

[@jack_rabbit]

the label hated it, and yet it was their best record. that tells you a lot about major labels.

[@reverb508]

It took me about 15 seconds to realize that dog wasn't going to move...

[@davewalsh85]

Haha

[@Jil8840]

Hahaha

[@soculese]

I think the unique aspect that Steve brings is that he just seems like he is really easy to get along with and also has the unique skill set of being able to get the sound an artist wants.

[@invisiblesupermonkey]

Haha that may be what he is like now, but he has been pretty honest about not always having been an easy to get along with guy. Pretty abrasive.

[@kriskalpa]

I think In Utero is timeless. It hasn't dated because there's nothing in it to date, just the basics. Stripped down. I also think he's right when he says it shows the state of mind of the band (I think specifically Kurt) at that point in time. I can remember when I first listened to it and I still listen to it now. Thank you Mr Albini!

[@SlinkiestTortoise23]

I think Kurt was also totally on top of his game and the band in a room were tight as fuck! It was not Nevermind 2 and Steve really captured that fact and let feel Kurt feel completely comfortable for his vocal performances especially - lot of trust in that.

[@kriskalpa]

@@SlinkiestTortoise23 agreed

[@SlowerRiot]

It took me some time to realize it but In Utero is the art rock masterpiece of the 90s. They made one of the most challenging records ever with minimal gear and time whilst being the biggest band on the planet following up a pop culture phenomenon in Nevermind. It's got everything, but I'd like to point out that it never gets enough credit for its swagger and if it were released today it would be hailed as the saviour of rock music.

[@kriskalpa]

yes, I think it's their most emotional work. @@SlowerRiot

[@skumtv544]

GREAT STORY STEVE RULES

[@oxygen69able]

His production on Jesus Lizard "Liar" is as good as gets.

[@oxygen69able]

I saw Shellac in 96. So good. Albini was my idol when I was young.

[@czechpirc3212]

Congrats on 2nd bracelet Steve, #legend

[@codymcgrew94]

Thank you for getting this recorded! I’d always “read” that Steve said “Everyone involved in Nirvana Inc., besides the members of the band, were complete pieces of shit” and had always wondered if he actually said that. But now it’s confirmed haha It sounded like something Steve would say, with “Nirvana Inc.” and all; so I figured it was true, but nice to have it confirmed haha

[@Spectrescup]

Before Albini 'went nice' sometime over the past 20 years, he had some incredibly savage things to say about bands he'd recorded, such as the Pixies. If you ever find his 'Record Producer Record Reviews' from Forced Exposure mag, it's worth reading.

[@SlowerRiot]

​@@Spectrescupit's like David Yow said in that Foo Fighters tv series - "time has been kind to Steve. It used to be only black or white, but now there is some grey in his life." funny but also touching.

[@JJJGGGGGGG]

Crude as it is, thanx

[@RevertFlip]

rip brother

[@keithbertschin1213]

In Utero is a masterpiece, cannot fathom the opinion of the record company. What were they expecting? Coldplay?!

[@kevgamble]

Presumably, they were expecting Nevermind II, all upside, no challenges. How they could look at and listen to Kurt Cobain and think they had a reliably money-printing pop star is pretty baffling. They could have just settled for less (but still a lot of) cash and chosen to validate Cobain's artistic ideals, and maybe things would have turned out differently for him. He put his heart into it and they called it trash.

[@keithbertschin1213]

@@kevgamble he was a musical genius from the top shelf, you just let them run free you’ll still make the cash!

[@kevinbeck7007]

Because usually the people working at record companies are not musicians or musically/creative minded people. They have business or marketing degrees. They're morons basically, with no vision.

[@JDAfrica]

A record company isn’t there to give you artistic freedom and fund ur wants. It’s a business. And they will always choose a tried and tested result (song length, radio friendly mix) to give mass appeal and sell as many records as possible.

[@keithbertschin1213]

@@JDAfrica with the majority of artists maybe but with an extraordinary group like Nirvana, you’re gona make your money whatever they do. Plus, it’s futile to try and box them in, they wouldn’t do it. So just leave them alone and count the cash

[@jtlemay4878]

The dog tho

[@Errcyco]

Kurt’s only real business efforts he got serious for were the suits fucking with his sound. That was all he had, good for him. I always assumed this was why but nice to hear it confirmed. Good 👍 interview

[@johnran6015]

"and then we looked at pizza, mmmmmm cheese pizza" - steve albini

[@MiguelPaulettePerez-bj8ml]

Just relistened to this after Steve died... I would say the bass would be my only thing I would have changed... the drums, vocals, and guitars sound amazing... the bass is just a cloudy woof in the background... id imagine intentional, but distracting at times.

[@hughjanus5525]

That dog is having a flashback to Vietnam

[@robbiepeterh]

As much as I love In Utero, I’d much rather spend an hour fussing that dog

[@thefirst9500]

Lol, the executives must've shat themselves when they first heard the album. Serve the Servant starts off so dissonant, uses 7th chords (not usual for Nirvana), has an understated chorus, depressive mood. I bet they started to sweat: "this sucks but maybe it'll get better." Then Scentless Apprentice begins, lmao. One of Nirvana's most violent songs, with maybe Kurt's most tortured vocals ever. By the time they got to Heart Shaped Box, they were already having panic attacks. The more easy listening, SLTS reminiscent "Rape Me" goes rape me again and again. Then songs like Frances Farmer, Milk it, Radio Friendly..., it was far from Lithium and Come as You Are. No wonder they completely hated it. But if Nirvana had tried to surf on their success and make popular songs, they never would've become that legendary band. And if execs had their way, songs like SLTS could never have been created to begin with.

[@Overlorddz]

Albini is still notorious for obnoxious shit he said in the 80s and I personally did not like the stuff he said about Courtney Love in azerrad's book. But I saw him speak some years back and he was questioned about his past remarks and he was flat out. (no quotes) 'I was young and stupid and very ego-driven I thought it was time to let the whole world have it.' Then when he was asked more deep about that shit he said he made a statement about PC that is very important to not forget!! "Some people may call it political correctness, but I think: is anything wrong with being nice? Why would you want to hurt anyone?' I actually have a recording of the interview in question. I instantly liked him personally. Not only did IT show his growth. But HE showed responsible concern, not by restoring, but contributing. I just loved that. ( I only went there to ask him questions about his gear).

[@johneapleseed6876]

I challenged Salbini to a mic cable fight. He cried and hid underneath a billiard table.

[@snomad2248]

which voice is coming from the dog?

[@prospectnyc]

L E G E N D

[@johnvalencia9927]

I don't understand all the sentiment that In Utero was such a problem....all apologies and heart shaped box are incredibly commercial, and were all over the radio in 94...isn't that all the record company is looking for?? Did they really expect the entire album to have hits? Nevermind only a few hits too...and a lot of album tracks. So what. It's not like they handed in a melvins record.

[@AvalancheUKOfficial]

My understanding was even the songs you mentioned were too abrasive to be released as singles so a compromise was agreed to have them remixed. This is why they sound commercial, they did not originally.

[@nonyobussiness3440]

I like aspects of steve's recording and mixing but I don't like how he does vocals in some cases. Adam Kasper seems to be a good blend of Steve and butch

[@yumyab256]

I thought that this was a video so I was wondering how the fuck Steve managed to achieve such perfect statuesque stillness, then I noticed his dog was also perfectly still and felt stupid as hell as the realization hit.

[@ilikemusic76]

What is so special about In Utero! We‘ll, that its not Nevermind.

[@aboutthisproduct7674]

Whitehouse!

[@ned_interrobang]

wonder how much he liked dealing with junky kurt

[@Paul-dw2cl]

5:57

[@Paul-dw2cl]

6:01

[@Paul-dw2cl]

6:06

[@maddymud]

It’s not like Scott Litt is an artless hack such as the clown who purposely sabotaged Patty Schemel. Litt produced REM records that are artful! He also turned me down - so he has a great aesthetic

[@TheNathanMChannel]

Damn record industry sneaks in when you're half seized over and cuts the money right out of your jeans pocket.

[@SuperSaiyanScandinavian]

while I do really appreciate Steve's production, I'll always have a slight grudge on the fact that he's completely shit on The Smashing Pumpkins. it's one thing to have an issue with Corgan's personality, but to completely disrespect what they accomplished on their first 3 albums is insane to me.

[@BullyMaguire4ever]

I can understand that SP isn’t punk rock enough for Steve, but it’s silly for him to deny their talent.

[@mrthizzle123]

People that feel In Utereo is bland don’t want “Better Musicians”, to produce records. They want recording company stooges that make slick overly produced records for the label’s executives. Albino made the record that the Amazing musicians in the band wanted. You think it sounds bland? That’s the record the great musicians in Nirvana wanted. Criticizing Albini’s production is criticizing Cobain and Dave Grohl as musicians. All producers should serve the band and the music, not labels, businessmen, or the public that thinks records should sound nothing like actual live music.

[@koletina]

I like pugs

[@GearStuffandThings]

In Utero is the most themselves Nirvana ever was.

[@blackcorridors]

I doubt there was a day that Nirvana was not 100% themselves, there's a reason people still talk about them to this day

[@GearStuffandThings]

@@blackcorridors I don’t think you understood what I was saying. Read any article about the band’s thoughts on that record and they acknowledge the same point. It was the band being what they always wanted to be. A band finding it’s voice was everything prior to in utero. In Utero is that voice. That was my point.

[@witheredmedia]

i wonder how much Steve charges to record bands now days

[@jrd33]

From $900 per day. Pretty cheap. It's on his recording studio's website.

[@damienlewis7882]

Scott Litt saved that album lets be real

[@dathorndike4908]

Scott Litt tried to makes several tracks "radio friendly" which was the antithesis of what that album was about. Litt had no business on that album.

[@indiegrab360]

The album is pretty good. The tracklisting couldve used Sappy and Marriiiihuannnaaa and I hate myself... Remove 3 tracks to make room. Dumb, tourettes and "In the sun I feel as one" forgot the name of ut

[@jjk087]

Dumb is a great track

[@colico14]

I agree with adding Sappy/Verse Chorus Verse and I Hate Myself and Want to Die, but don't subtract anything. The record clocks in at just 41:23. Plenty of room to include those tracks. MV is better as a B-side, imo. Same with Gallons of Rubbing Alcohol Flow Through the Strip, though it's on an import In Utero.

[@tpm5002]

“In the sun…” it’s called All Apologies, and removing it would be a fucking sin

[@KennedyIvy]

Tourettes is such a good song tho. Sappy defs should've made the album, such a good song

[@maddymud]

@@KennedyIvy - Sappy sounds amazing when played on piano piece. I used to beg my old classically trained pianist girlfriend to play it that way

[@banyarling]

Albini is a hack. Nobody would know his name without Nirvana. Anyone into songwriting and/or production, do the opposite of what Albini would do.

[@SlinkiestTortoise23]

What utter nonsense! Listen to the album he produced for PJ Harvey - that’s why Kurt wanted to work with him! Steve Albini is certainly no hack and he worked with Nirvana as he did any other band - he was not overwhelmed by them whatsoever. They were the absolute hot ticket and Steve put them in a room and recorded them - I think he just left them to it, mic’d them everything properly and pressed record.

[@jrd33]

He was well known in the indie field before Nirvana. Perhaps you are you young to remember before Nirvana though.

[@banyarling]

@@jrd33 not young at all, sadly. You sound like you have rose-tinted nostalgia glasses. A lot of that stuff sounded like crap. Albini's "indie field" was tiny before Nirvana. Maybe because Albini productions don't sound too good. Funny how that works.

[@banyarling]

@@SlinkiestTortoise23 PJ Harvey is trash and In Utero's production sounds terrible. Their worst album easily.

[@dathorndike4908]

You are a tool. Albini is responsible for a ton of the best music ever made. Just look at the man's discography. Classic album after classic album