Montage Of Heck: The Home Recordings
by Kurt Cobain
Metascore
56

Mixed or average reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 18
  3. Negative: 4 out of 18
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  1. Q Magazine
    Dec 14, 2015
    60
    While there are a few pops and crackles of magic--it's often dead air. [Jan 2016, p.114]
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  2. NOW Magazine
    Dec 2, 2015
    60
    The amoebic versions of Nirvana songs sound only unfinished and strange. If the goal was to render Cobain an artsy oddball more than a rock god with a Midas touch, then mission accomplished.
  3. New Musical Express (NME)
    Nov 9, 2015
    60
    It’s those sudden, inexplicable breakthroughs, those little lightning strikes of inspiration, that this compilation is ultimately concerned with. And it’s in those moments when these crappily-recorded fumblings become a source of real fascination.
  5. Classic Rock Magazine
    Nov 9, 2015
    50
    A haunted, husky-voiced cover of the Lennon/McCartney classic And I Love Her is another highlight, invoking the naked beauty of Nirvana’s 1993 Unplugged session. But these are rare meaty morsels in a musical slop bucket of scraps. At best, Montage Of Heck is an ideal Christmas present for the most undemanding of Cobain completists. At worst, a barrel-scraping cash-in that demeans his legacy.
  6. Mojo
    Dec 14, 2015
    40
    It's hard to imagine even hardcore fans listening to this twice, as it sounds too much like an empty barrel being scraped. [Jan 2016, p.106]
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  7. Pitchfork
    Nov 12, 2015
    40
    Montage of Heck is like a shaggier version of Family Tree, a voyeuristic document that attempts to plop you down in the living room of a dead hero, and it leaves you with a similar hollow feeling.
  8. The Guardian
    Nov 12, 2015
    40
    [Do Re Mi] is beautiful and it’s one of a scant handful of moments on Montage of Heck that anyone other than a Cobain obsessive might conceivably play more than once: proof that, even at the bottom of the barrel, you can occasionally scrape up something of interest.
  9. Spin
    Nov 10, 2015
    40
    Listening to the man find his voice is the only “thrill” here, as familiar (if hardly marquee-level) Nirvana staples like “Been a Son,” “Scoff,” “Sappy,” and “Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge on Seattle” all appear sans finished lyrics, or sung in too-high or too-low range-testing cadences like a very bored kid performing for a live studio audience of stuffed animals.

User Reviews

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User Score
4.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 12 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 12
  3. Negative: 5 out of 12
  1. ReubenIsAGod
    Nov 15, 2015
    4
    Nirvana is one of my favorite bands of all time. "In utero" is my personal favorite album from them....its just has more depth behind itNirvana is one of my favorite bands of all time. "In utero" is my personal favorite album from them....its just has more depth behind it opposed to their break through album "Nevermind". If your a fan of Nirvana you will love this release....But im here to rant about what Nirvana has became to a new generation of scene kids....it was already bad....but it seems to be getting worse. Kurt Cobain is no Jesus....the guy was a Junkie....im sick of these scene kids and other Grunge acts making him out to be this creative Genius...yes he was talented...yes he was a very creative and really changed the grunge scene....but he himself is no Jesus...he screwed up...and he killed himself because of his screw ups....I just sick of these teenage girls and guys making him out to be their hero and then posting all this suicidal crap....its **** immature and stupid....please stop it.....suicide is **** you wanna die go get help instead of parading it on your twitter, instagram, tumblr posts. **** its annoying.… Full Review »
  2. currer_bell
    Nov 15, 2015
    6
    I was ready to hate that album but in the end, I think it's not that bad... There is some surprising things on this (I'm talking of "Things"I was ready to hate that album but in the end, I think it's not that bad... There is some surprising things on this (I'm talking of "Things" coz you can't really call any of those tracks "Songs" so...) I especially liked Burn the Rain & The Happy Guitar... the 1988 Commercial is funny also.

    If you're planning to buy the album buy the Deluxe version absolutely, because all the best "things" are there and not on the non-Deluxe. Still, the album isn't necessary at all... but it's an interestingly weird listening.    … Full Review »
  3. RyFox
    Dec 19, 2015
    2
    To be honest, this whole album can be summed up in one word. This word would be disappointment. I honestly thought it would be better sinceTo be honest, this whole album can be summed up in one word. This word would be disappointment. I honestly thought it would be better since well, it is Kurt Cobain. BUT NOPE! At least his voice is good but other than that I do not have anything good to say about this album.… Full Review »
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