With the Lights Out is a box set by the American rock band Nirvana, released on November 23, 2004. It contains three CDs and one DVD of previously rare or unreleased material, including B-sides, demos, and rehearsal and live recordings. The title comes from the lyrics of Nirvana's 1991 single "Smells Like Teen Spirit".
With the Lights Out was planned for release in 2001, but was delayed by a legal battle with Courtney Love, the widow of Nirvana singer, Kurt Cobain. As of 2016, it had sold 546,000 copies in the US.Ask Billboard: Rihanna's (Quirky) Record in the Hot 100's Top 10 With 'Needed Me' billboard.com. Retrieved December 6, 2016.
Background Rumors of a posthumous Nirvana anthology surfaced in the mid-1990s, not long after the death of the singer and guitarist, Kurt Cobain, in April 1994. It was reported in Kerrang! in April 1999 that the surviving Nirvana members, Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic, were planning a box set to be released in 2000 at the earliest. It was later announced that a 45-track box set would be released in September 2001, to mark the 10th anniversary of the band's breakthrough album, Nevermind, but it was delayed by a legal battle with Cobain's widow, Courtney Love.
Much of the dispute centered on the unreleased song "You Know You're Right", recorded in January 1994 during the band's final studio session. Grohl and Novoselic wanted it for the box set, but Love blocked its release and sued them for control of Nirvana's legacy. Love's lawsuit asserted that "the parties have fundamentally different concepts of how to manage the musical and artistic legacy of Kurt Cobain", which resulted "in a stalemate of decision making". She believed that "You Know You're Right" would be "wasted" on a box set, and instead belonged on a single-disc compilation similar to the Beatles' 1.
In 2002, the legal battle was settled, and "You Know You're Right" appeared on the "best-of" compilation Nirvana. This paved the way for what became the With the Lights Out box set, which arrived in November 2004, over three years after its original release date but with more music than originally promised, including an acoustic demo of "You Know You're Right".
Release Promotion Before the release of With the Lights Out, a promotional EP, Selections from With the Lights Out, was sent to radio stations, featuring the songs "White Lace and Strange", "Blandest", "Lithium", "Heart-Shaped Box" and "You Know You're Right" from the box set. "Lithium" was also released as an exclusive iTunes downloadable single on November 22, 2004. The music video for the original version of "In Bloom", made in 1990 and first released on the Sub Pop Video Network Program VHS compilation in 1991, was released to music television to promote the box set. The video appears on the box set's DVD. An online trailer was also released for the box set, featuring footage from the DVD and audio from the three CDs.WITH THE LIGHTS OUT promo trailer video nirvana-discography.com. Retrieved June 19, 2018.
Packaging With the Lights Out is packaged in heat-sensitive material which changes color when touched, revealing images of recording session tapes.
Each of the three CDs loosely represents the rare recordings from three periods in Nirvana's history, in line with the band's three studio albums, Bleach, Nevermind and In Utero, which were released in 1989, 1991 and 1993 respectively. The DVD contains rare live performances and rehearsals from throughout the band's career.
It includes a 60-page booklet which contains liner notes by Thurston Moore of the American rock band Sonic Youth and the journalist Neil Strauss, as well as photographs and a chronological catalog of the band's recording history, including studio sessions, television and radio appearances, live performances and home demo recordings sessions.
The band's May 6, 1987 radio session at KAOS 89.3 FM in Olympia, Washington, is mislabeled as being from April 17, 1987.
Reception
With the Lights Out received generally positive reviews from music critics, many of whom saw it as a valuable glimpse into the band's evolution. Julian Marshall of the NME called it "a humanising, comprehensive and often heartbreaking document of a man who, in five years, changed the face of music, almost by accident". John Jeremiah Sullivan of New York Magazine called it "an appropriately eccentric testament to Cobain's talent".
However, several critics felt it contained too much second-rate material never intended for release. Mark Richardson of Pitchfork wrote, "Those hoping for a trove of overlooked gems will be disappointed ... Simply put, there's enough good stuff here for a solid single disc." Tim O'Neil of PopMatters wrote, "The majority of the material presented here will appeal only to a select group of hardcore fans, music historians and critics."
Track listing All songs written by Kurt Cobain, except where noted.
Disc one 1987 show in Raymond, Washington. "Heartbreaker" (John Bonham/John Paul Jones/Jimmy Page/Robert Plant) – 2:59 May 6, 1987 radio session at KAOS 89.3 FM, Olympia, Washington. (Nirvana's first radio session) "Anorexorcist" (a.k.a. "Annorexorcist") – 2:44 "White Lace and Strange" (Chris Bond) – 2:09 "Help Me, I'm Hungry" (a.k.a. "Vendetagainst") – 2:41 Summer 1987 band rehearsal in Aberdeen, Washington. "Mrs. Butterworth" (a.k.a. "Unknown #2") – 4:05 January 23, 1988 studio session at Reciprocal Recording Studios, Seattle, Washington. Producer: Jack Endino. (Nirvana's first studio session) "If You Must" – 4:01 "Pen Cap Chew" – 4:02 January 23, 1988 show at the Community World Theatre, Tacoma, Washington. "Downer" – 1:43 "Floyd the Barber" – 2:33 "Raunchola" (a.k.a. "Erectum")/"Moby Dick" ("Moby Dick" – John Bonham/John Paul Jones/Jimmy Page) – 6:24 1987–1988 solo 4-track home recordings, Aberdeen, Washington. "Beans" – 1:32 "Don't Want It All" (a.k.a. "Seed") – 2:26 "Clean Up Before She Comes" – 3:12 "Polly" – 2:30 "About a Girl" – 2:44 June 11, 1988 studio session at Reciprocal Recording Studios, Seattle, Washington. Producer: Jack Endino "Blandest" – 3:56 Spring 1989 studio session at The Evergreen State College Audio Studio, Olympia, Washington. Producer: Greg Babior. "Dive" (Kurt Cobain/Krist Novoselic) – 4:50 August 20 and 28, 1989 studio session at Reciprocal Recording Studios, Seattle, Washington. Producer: Jack Endino. (Studio session for "the Jury", a Lead Belly cover band featuring members of Nirvana and the Screaming Trees) "They Hung Him on a Cross" (Huddie Ledbetter) – 1:57 "Grey Goose" (Huddie Ledbetter) – 4:36 "Ain't It a Shame" (Huddie Ledbetter) – 2:01 September 1989 studio session at Music Source Studios, Seattle, Washington. Producer: Steve Fisk. "Token Eastern Song" – 3:21 "Even in His Youth" – 3:12 "Polly" – 2:36
Disc two September 25, 1990 solo radio session on Boy Meets Girl, KAOS 89.3 FM, Olympia, Washington. Host: Calvin Johnson. "Opinion" – 1:34 "Lithium" – 1:49 "Been a Son" – 1:12 1990 boombox-recorded home demos, Olympia, Washington. "Sliver" – 2:09 "Where Did You Sleep Last Night" (traditional) – 2:31 April 2–6, 1990 studio session at Smart Studios, Madison, Wisconsin. Producer: Butch Vig. "Pay to Play" (early version of "Stay Away") (previously released on DGC Rarities: Volume 1 in 1994) – 3:29 "Here She Comes Now" (John Cale/Sterling Morrison/Lou Reed) (previously released on split-single with the Melvins in 1991) – 5:01 April 1991 4-track demo, San Francisco, California. Features Dale Crover on drums and Dave Grohl on bass. "Drain You" – 2:38 January 1, 1991 studio session at Music Source Studios, Seattle, Washington. Producer: Craig Montgomery "Aneurysm" (Kurt Cobain/Dave Grohl/Krist Novoselic) (previously released on "Smells Like Teen Spirit" single in 1991) – 4:47 March 1991 band rehearsal, Tacoma, Washington. "Smells Like Teen Spirit" (Kurt Cobain/Dave Grohl/Krist Novoselic) – 5:40 May 1991 studio session at Sound City Studios, Van Nuys, California. Producer: Butch Vig. (Studio session for Nevermind) "Breed" (Butch Vig rough mix) – 3:07 "Verse Chorus Verse" – 3:17 "Old Age" – 4:20 September 3, 1991 radio session at Maida Vale Studios, London, England. (John Peel session) "Endless, Nameless" – 8:47 "Dumb" – 2:35 October 21, 1990 radio session at Maida Vale Studios, London, England. (John Peel session) "D-7" (Greg Sage) (previously released on "Lithium" single in 1992) – 3:46 April 7, 1992 studio session at Laundry Room Studios, Seattle, Washington. Producer: Barrett Jones. "Oh, the Guilt" (alternate mix of previously released song on split-single with the Jesus Lizard in 1992) – 3:25 "Curmudgeon" (alternate mix of previously released song on "Lithium" single in 1992) – 3:03 "Return of the Rat" (Greg Sage) (alternate mix of previously released song on Eight Songs for Greg Sage and the Wipers in 1993) – 3:09 May 1991 studio session at Sound City Studios, Van Nuys, California. Producer: Butch Vig. (Studio session for Nevermind) "Smells Like Teen Spirit" (Kurt Cobain/Dave Grohl/Krist Novoselic) (Butch Vig mix) – 4:59
Disc three May 1991 solo boombox-recorded home demo, Los Angeles, California. "Rape Me" – 3:23 October 25–26, 1992 studio session at Word of Mouth Studios (former Reciprocal Recording Studios), Seattle, Washington. Producer: Jack Endino. "Rape Me" – 3:01 Winter 1992 band rehearsal, Seattle, Washington. "Scentless Apprentice" (Kurt Cobain/Dave Grohl/Krist Novoselic) – 9:32 January 19–21, 1993 studio session at Ariola Ltda BMG, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Producer: Craig Montgomery. "Heart-Shaped Box" – 5:31 "I Hate Myself and Want to Die" – 4:03 (mislabelled as the "b-side" version) "Milk It" – 4:34 "Moist Vagina" (a.k.a. "MV") – 1:56 "Gallons of Rubbing Alcohol Flow Through the Strip" (Kurt Cobain/Dave Grohl/Krist Novoselic) (previously released on non-U.S. versions of In Utero, 1993) – 7:33 "The Other Improv" – 6:24 Fall or Winter 1992 solo boombox-recorded home demos, Seattle, Washington. "Serve the Servants" – 1:36 "Very Ape" – 1:52 1993 solo boombox-recorded home demo, Seattle, Washington. "Pennyroyal Tea" – 3:30 February 12–26, 1993 studio session at Pachyderm Studios, Cannon Falls, Minnesota. Producer: Steve Albini. (Studio session for In Utero) "Marigold" (Dave Grohl) (previously released on "Heart-Shaped Box" single in 1993) – 2:34 "Sappy" (previously released as "Verse Chorus Verse" on No Alternative in 1993) – 3:26 February 5, 1994 band rehearsal at Pavilhão Dramático, Cascais, Portugal. "Jesus Doesn't Want Me for a Sunbeam" (Eugene Kelly/Frances McKee) – 3:57 1994 solo boombox-recorded home demo, Seattle, Washington. "Do Re Mi" – 4:24 1993 or 1994 solo boombox-recorded home demo, Seattle, Washington. "You Know You're Right" – 2:30 1991 or 1992 solo boombox-recorded home demo, Olympia, Washington, or Seattle, Washington. "All Apologies" – 3:33
For a limited time, the US iTunes store included Nevermind It's an Interview as bonus tracks.
DVD 1988 band rehearsal, residence of bassist Krist Novoselic's mother, Aberdeen, Washington. "Love Buzz" (Robbie van Leeuwen) – 2:32 "Scoff" – 0:47 "About a Girl" – 3:05 "Big Long Now" – 4:22 "Immigrant Song" (Jimmy Page/Robert Plant) – 1:57 "Spank Thru" – 3:10 "Hairspray Queen" – 3:37 "School" – 2:53 "Mr. Moustache" – 3:47 June 23, 1989 show at Rhino Records, Los Angeles, California. "Big Cheese" (Kurt Cobain/Krist Novoselic) – 3:13 February 16, 1990 show at Bogarts, Long Beach, California. "Sappy" – 4:27 (mislabeled as track 12 on the cover) 1990 Sub Pop music video. Director: Steve Brown. "In Bloom" – 4:28 (mislabeled as track 11 on the cover) (Pre-Nevermind version, featuring Chad Channing on drums, recorded April 1990 at Smart Studios, Madison, Wisconsin. Producer: Butch Vig) September 22, 1990 show at the Motor Sports International Garage, Seattle, Washington. "School" – 2:33 October 11, 1990 show at North Shore Surf Club, Olympia, Washington. (Drummer Dave Grohl's first show) "Love Buzz" – 3:40 April 17, 1991 show at OK Hotel, Seattle, Washington.