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With The Lights Out
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  • Record Label:
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With The Lights Out Image
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 26 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 87 Ratings

  • Summary: 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.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. Spin
    100
    Mostly great. [Jan 2005, p.96]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. Delusions of Adequacy
    90
    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.
  3. Uncut
    80
    A hardcore fan's wildest dreams fulfilled. [Jan 2005, p.134]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. Q Magazine
    80
    As the set progresses, the trademark Nirvana sound begins to take shape. [Dec 2004, p.152]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. The A.V. Club
    70
    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.
  6. Pitchfork
    63
    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.
  7. Drawer B
    40
    This collection is the antithesis of anything Kurt Cobain would have authorized, right down to the shiny metal packaging.

See all 26 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 33 out of 48
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 48
  3. Negative: 8 out of 48
  1. BenjaminS
    Dec 10, 2004
    10
    Loved it. I was truly shocked, and pleasently surprised by the quality of the box set. As a fan for nearly a decade, and a member of the Loved it. I was truly shocked, and pleasently surprised by the quality of the box set. As a fan for nearly a decade, and a member of the online Nirvana community for about that long, I had sky high expectations for this set. I thought sure they'd drop a crap-fest with nine alternate versions of Been A Son on it and the ultra-rare Scott Litt mix of Pennyroyal Tea...but they got all that out of their system on "Nirvana", the greatest hits album. This is for us, the fans, the die-hards. Finally.… Expand
  2. Amory
    Jan 20, 2005
    10
    One word...the box set was pure Nirvana!
  4. Sloaneraced
    Jul 23, 2009
    10
    The album/Dvd was the best investment i've made in A long time, i completely suggest you purchase the set. although the dvd makes me The album/Dvd was the best investment i've made in A long time, i completely suggest you purchase the set. although the dvd makes me wish kurt was still alive more and more it was still GREAT, from the first set that included smells like teen spirit to the release of unplugged. not to give anything away but the dvd also includes nirvanas days as a litteral garage band taped as a home video at kurts cobaines parents house..... A MUST BUY.… Expand
  5. DylanV
    Jan 24, 2005
    8
    In all, with the light's out is a great box set for the general nirvana fan. It includes some rare and unreleased demos, outakes and In all, with the light's out is a great box set for the general nirvana fan. It includes some rare and unreleased demos, outakes and acoustic songs and is really a time line for thier music. The dvd is a nice bonus. Although some of the footage is pure shite, it is still interesting to view, especially for the people like me who weren't there when it happened. It is amazing to hear the developement in thier the musical style. Early songs such as Mrs. Butterworth show influences by Black Flag, and Pen cap chew sounds very influenced by the melvins. Latter songs such as Marigold and Doh Re Mi hint at REM. In all this is a very good collection for the nirvana Fan, definately not a starting point though.… Expand
  6. JasonS
    Nov 25, 2004
    7
    Definitely more of a story than a CD collection. It's a story worth listening to though. First disc is, like someone said, only worth it Definitely more of a story than a CD collection. It's a story worth listening to though. First disc is, like someone said, only worth it for the 'wow, they turned this stuff into Nevermind?!' factor. Second disc is where most of the good stuff comes in, including a couple that really should've been on a Nirvana album. Third disc is 'what could've been,' a collection of stuff that would've been great had Kurt lived to finish the job. DVD makes it well worth the $28 I paid for it.… Expand
  7. All_ButTrU4
    Aug 6, 2022
    5
    If you are a fan this is considerably essential listening. So many fun interesting moments are on here at varying degrees of execution andIf you are a fan this is considerably essential listening. So many fun interesting moments are on here at varying degrees of execution and seemingly glimpse of brilliance and angst. Nirvana demos are endlessly enjoyable and previously unreleased jams such as Sappy or Even in his youth stand as a testament to the nearly boundless talent they had… Expand
  8. davidmac
    Dec 10, 2004
    0
    nirvana r crap and couldnt make any good material so why buy an overated peice of junk that this crap band made

See all 48 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

37
#37 Most Discussed Album of 2004
46
#46 Most Shared Album of 2004

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