Let me explain that for a second: This IS one of the quintessential Nirvana albums, along with Unplugged. Where Unplugged was a soft, calm recording focusing on the influences of the band and Kurt Cobain's lyrics, Muddy Banks is a showcase of their sheer ENERGY and rage during their live shows.

And it lets you know from the start, with Kurt "clearing his throat," sounding like he's giving birth to a full-grown cow through his ass, and the classic from Bleach, "School." There is not a real soft moment on this record. None. At all. Every song is a rocker. There ain't no acoustic "Pennyroyal Tea" here. No subtle, soft singing by Cobain. This is ALL electric guitars, ALL pounding drums , and all Kurt permanently scarring his vocal chords. That boy didn't care; even if he had lived, he'd have been mute by 35.

Even "Polly," one of the few quiet moments on their breakthrough Nevermind, is showcased here in an alternate, electric, "Live-like-today-is-your-last" style. All the hits are covered between this and Unplugged. "Smells Like Teen Spirit," of course, is present. So are "Lithium," and "Heart-Shaped Box." That is what makes this half of the essential Nirvana albums.

All the albums are represented here, too. Bleach, Nevermind, In Utero, and even the rarities/B-side/gap-filler release, Incesticide. Speaking of which, that album's main highlight (And Nirvana's best song) "Aneurysm" is here, too! Rock on, Krist! Of course, the studio version is better than this live version, but this live version is great all the same.

Personally, I never understood why this album gets a lot of flack. There is some damned good music on here. I sounds somewhat lazily put together because there are fade-outs between each song, and it doesn't flow like a real concert, but that doesn't hurt the actual songs. Hell, Courtney Love once called it "stupid." Now, now, Courtney… no need to bring this down to your level…

Anyway, get it if you want to check out Nirvana's basic sound.