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With The Lights Out
by Nirvana

Nirvana reviews
Critic Score
Metascore: 76 Metascore out of 100
User Score  
7.1 out of 10
based on 26 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
based on 51 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album

This three-disc box set contains more than 50 previously unreleased recordings by the legendary Seattle band, including demos, live tracks, and alternate versions. Also included is an extensive bonus DVD filled with live performances.

LABEL: Geffen
RELEASE DATE: 23 November 2004
DISCS: 3 CD + 1 DVD
GENRE(S): Alternative, Rock

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100
Spin
Mostly great. [Jan 2005, p.96]
91
Entertainment Weekly
It's no surprise that most of it's raw; it is a surprise that most of it's worth hearing. [10 Dec 2004, p.89]
90
Delusions of Adequacy
One of the band’s finest releases and arguably the most comprehensive statement to date on just where the musicians were coming from, the roads they took to get where they ended up, and even possibly where they were headed.
Read Full Review
90
Dot Music
It’s the way “With The Lights Out” fleshes out the plot that makes it so compelling.
Read Full Review
89
Austin Chronicle
For the fan-atic, WTLO's scrapbooklike discography unveils both a gold mine of (still) unreleased material and the Seattle trio's penchant for dashing off B-sides, tributes, and noise at the smash of a guitar.
Read Full Review
80
Rolling Stone
If you think you want it, you do. [9 Dec 2004, p.184]
80
Billboard
A revelatory, emotional listen from start to finish, "With the Lights Out" crystallizes Cobain's tortured genius.
Read Full Review
80
Q Magazine
As the set progresses, the trademark Nirvana sound begins to take shape. [Dec 2004, p.152]
80
The New York Times
It's a collection of odds and ends, yet the music can be cathartic and it can be achingly intimate. [29 Nov 2004]
Read Full Review
80
The Guardian
Nirvana's feat of moulding indie-band attitude, heavy metal, post-industrial noise and classic pop into an intense incandescent eruption has now been analysed to death. To rip away the posthumous repackaging and expose the band's raw nerve-endings is an amazing feat.
Read Full Review
80
Village Voice
So, in theory, this big Christmas stocking of demos, B sides, compilation tracks, and curiosities is mostly useful for its historical value, as context. The context, it turns out, rules.
Read Full Review
80
All Music Guide
While there is much good music here, there isn't much that adds to Nirvana's legacy, nor is there much that's revelatory.
Read Full Review
80
Blender
With 81 chronologically ordered tracks... With the Lights Out can be a slog. But for Nirvana fans, it's also a necessary rite. [Jan/Feb 2005, p.119]
80
Uncut
A hardcore fan's wildest dreams fulfilled. [Jan 2005, p.134]
75
cokemachineglow
The three audio discs... are a mixed bag at best.
Read Full Review
70
The Onion (A.V. Club)
The crown jewel for those without the patience or proclivity to wade through sketches of songs better heard in full, the fourth disc is a DVD of live footage from the beginning to the end.
Read Full Review
70
New York Magazine
Manages, despite an excess of throwaway material, to be an appropriately eccentric testament to Cobain’s talent.
Read Full Review
70
New Musical Express
If you're after better versions of classic songs, think again. But as a humanising, comprehensive and often heartbreaking document of a man who, in five years, changed the face of music, almost by accident, it's essential. [20 Nov 2004, p.55]
67
E! Online
For hard-core fans, there's a wealth of rare gems here.
Read Full Review
63
Pitchfork
Those hoping for a trove of overlooked gems will be disappointed, as too much of With the Lights Out sounds like nothing so much as a dull-edged instrument lifting flakes of material from the bottom of a barrel. Simply put, there's enough good stuff here for a solid single disc.
Read Full Review
60
Paste Magazine
So by all means pick up With the Lights Out, but go ahead and trash the curiously un-Nirvana-like packaging, discard the heat-sensitive (!) box, pitch the liner notes, maybe even throw away the DVD.
Read Full Review
60
Mojo
Not the Holy Grail that was promised... But considering what material is present, the set plays like a fairly compelling musical narrative. [Dec 2004, p.120]
60
Stylus Magazine
There isn’t a doubt in anyone’s mind that this collection plays it way too safe to satisfy the über-devoted.
Read Full Review
50
PopMatters
The majority of the material presented here will appeal only to a select group of hardcore fans, music historians and critics.
Read Full Review
40
Alternative Press
The Nirvana box set isn't the Holy Grail. The Nirvana box set isn't even Incesticide. [Jan 2005, p.105]
40
Drawer B
This collection is the antithesis of anything Kurt Cobain would have authorized, right down to the shiny metal packaging.
Read Full Review

What Our Users Said

Vote Now! The average user rating for this album is 7.1 (out of 10) based on 51 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Paco Y. gave it a4:
I was a HUGE Nirvana fan, and while I've listened to them to death, I still do have a huge affinity for all of their albums, especially In Utero (their very underrated best all around album). I have owned 3 bootlegs, 2 live shows (Rome, and a rather poor sounding Seattle show) and 1 set of their besides (like Marigold, Marijuana, etc) and I was extremely excited when this set first came out. But then I heard it and instantly realized why this stuff was left for dead on the shelf....it's just not very good. Kurt was a genius, no doubt, but it took him a while to harness his genius. THis set is mostly filled with ineffective projects, rough playing, poor singing, and bad sound quality. Had Nirvana released this stuff on their albums, their impact would have been greatly reduced. While it's nice that some of this has seen the light of day, I'd say of the 3 disc set only about 40 minutes of it is truly memorable, and maybe 30 minutes is good and maybe 20 minutes is fantastic This basically should have stayed on the shelf. If they had uncovered some of the Michael Stipe tapes, etc, or released some of Kurt's versions of the "Live Through This" material, then it would have risen this to maybe a 5-6 even with the filler. If you want "raw" Nirvana, stick with Bleach, a fantastic all around record, besides the overly cheesy Big Cheese. Don't waste your money. I'm a former HUGE nirvana fan (still like 'em...but have listened to them to death) and I'd say there's better music out there for your money. Plus the DVD isn't all that exhilarating either. The critics want to rate this high because of what Kurdt did to the music biz, but this set isn't worth more than a stretched 6/10. I feel like I'm stretching giving this a 4/10.

FirstName LastName gave it an8:
The greatest comfort of Nirvana is that the music is so uncomfortable.

Jon D gave it a9:
This is true nirvana... ok it might not be what kurt wanted nirvana to be because its not what we want to hear, but nirvana was grunge... dirty, sad, emotional music not for the people that want to listen to music to be amazed. the lyrics have multiple meanings and the songs are very addictive once you learn what nirvana was about. And to Bill S Kurt was a musical genious because he started a type of rock music that changed the world of music, he could hold notes just he didnt in most songs because it went with the song better, in the cd unplugged listen to some of the songs and you will hear a voice that wont crack a single time because he wants to hold teh voice. kurt wasnt a bad guitarist he was better then some and he knew what he was doing. nirvana was a true rock milestone and too see how they built that stone buy this box set if you dont want to learn about the band because ur to naive to understand the band then go ahead dont buy it... its for nirvana fans not for nirvana haters.

Ben S gave it a9:
Yep, got to say it, kurt would not have liked this being released but hey, lets just sit back and soak in the music, and thats what really matters. No, kurt was not one of musics greatest musicians, his guitar playing could definately not beat for example, hendrix. But kurt had THAT thing, that unquestionable thing that makes a song really work. 'teen spirit' for example is not exactly a musical masterpeice but it is what we WANT to hear, shortish, sharp, perfect for air drums, headbanging riff, neat solo, perfect air guitar opening, perfect. Of course as the cds prove they were no 1 trick pony, yes ok we dont need all the slightly pointless versions but listen to the REAL songs and just marvel at it. Nothing particurlarly complicated, just rock in its purest form, delicious melodies, headbanging riffs, searing choruses, superb. The DVD is awesome as well, all in all brilliant music, a lot of tracks are forgettable but the wealth of pure classics stuns you, kurt will always be missed and krist and dave should also be considered legends. ROCK ON

Nicole gave it a10:
This is absolutely brilliant!! Well at least for Cobain fans! I've been reading many of the reviews and they all seem to say "Only for hard core fans." Well no fucking DUH! I just kinda heard of Nirvana and i think they're okay....so let me buy their box set! Let me quote the great Cobain: "Humans are DUMB!" You should only get this box set if you really love Nirvana and find beauty in all of Cobain's work. IF you are just a "Smells Like Teen Spirit" fan....then you are aren't even worthy of listening to this masterpiece. Nirvana is not for all, so that why there may be some bad reviews. But for people, like myself, who can see through the agony and the pain, you will find the beauty that is like no other! This box set is for the select intellegent ones that can see this genius and truly understand what music is about!

Marco M gave it a10:
Pure Genius

Fred R gave it a0:
I just bought Sliver, The Best Of The Box, and I cannot wait for the reviews to write my opinion, I have to vent! If what I bought is the best of this box-set then I sincerely feel bad for anyone who spent actual money on this drivel. I'm a huge Nirvana fan and I do not buy boxed sets by anyone because I've had bad luck with them, they never seem to get it right. But Sliver should have a warning sticker on it, something that says, basically, THIS CD DOES NOT CONTAIN ANY MUSIC THAT WAS MEANT TO BE RELEASED COMMERCIALLY. I mean, seriously, I want my money back, and not because I need it, because I feel ripped off. If Francis Bean really needs money for college I guess it ok to rip off Nirvana fans, but c'mon, this is a disgrace to even the memory of a man who suffered tremendously for his art and expression. Thank GOD the expression "turning over in his grave" is just that, an expression. I think Kurdt would be pissed. Maybe he's somewhere (I don't believe that mystical magical malarky, but just humor me here) better... and glad he's dead. This is... ARGH... DON'T BUY IT... I'll send you mine.

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