Top 10 Best Best Nirvana Albums
Maybe "Smells Like Teen Spirit" blasted from your headphones in high school and rewired your brain. Maybe you've shouted every word of "Heart-Shaped Box" in your car at midnight with the windows down. Or maybe you're the rare breed who swears "Bleach" is the real beginning, raw and scuzzy and beautiful in its own filthy way.Whatever your angle, it's time to weigh in.
This list is your chance to help rank the absolute best of Nirvana's album catalog. Studio records, live sessions that somehow felt more honest than anything cooked up in a studio, even that one album where unplugged meant more emotional charge than electricity ever could. They're all up for debate. Some hit you in the gut, some get under your skin, and some you play on repeat until the neighbors complain. Which ones belong at the top?

Nevermind is a brilliant album, an absolutely brilliant album. When I was about to listen to In Utero, I thought to myself that this could not beat Nevermind. Nevermind is a classic, one of the best-selling albums of all time and one of the greatest albums of all time.
But when I listened to the entirety of In Utero, it made me want more from Nirvana. It made all of us want more from Nirvana. I couldn't explain it, but In Utero gave me a feeling I've never had, a feeling that cannot be explained. Nevermind just didn't give me this feeling.
With songs like Heart-Shaped Box all the way to All Apologies, it's safe to say that In Utero is an excellent closing to Nirvana's legacy that will never be forgotten.

No controversy here! However alternative you consider yourself within alternative rock, this is one you'll return to endlessly. Maybe it's because the singles are overplayed, but I like the second half of the album even more.
In Utero is a good album, but this is far better and should be #1.
Fantastic album again, cannot be knocked. Pure gold!

While this isn't Nirvana's most interesting album in terms of lyrics and instrumentals, and they do kind of wear their influences on their sleeves, it's simply the most energetic and entertaining from their discography. It provides a pure thrill ride of raw, distorted anger which they never quite presented in the same way after.
It's great, but not always so. Many of these songs are unlistenable, and while songs like Paper Cuts and Floyd the Barber are certainly underrated, Bleach could have been perfected and maybe earned this spot in EP form. #5 would be more accurate, right after Incesticide.
But since I've criticized it enough already, Bleach is, again, a great album. Blew is undoubtedly the best banger, but About a Girl and, of course, School come close after. (Also, can I say that Negative Creep is overrated?)

Shows a calmer, more talented Nirvana. Behind the screams, you find real emotional depth, plus an outstanding cover of Bowie's The Man Who Sold the World - in my opinion, better than the original. It can also be heard on the best of.
Should be number 1. A perfect masterpiece.

My personal favorite. This album is everything grunge was meant to be: raw, nihilistic, and just a good album overall. I understand that Nevermind is seen as the best by many, but if you want less commercial, stripped-down music, this is where it's at.
The lows are undeniably low, but the highs (Aneurysm, Sliver, Dive, Son of a Gun, Molly's Lips, and Been a Son) are amazing. #5 is not right, because this album should be above Bleach just for that freaking closer. #4 would be more like it.
For a rarities album, you won't be disappointed. Obviously weaker than the studio releases but still worth a listen.

Live at Reading has a bunch of great tracks off of Bleach, one off of In Utero, and a bunch of good songs off Nevermind. It also has so much energy that it blows the listener away. Definitely pick up this record.
Although not highly rated, it does contain a lot of hits performed live plus rare tracks I have found nowhere else.
I should have voted for this because I didn't read this far down, so I've already voted for Bleach.

Could contain more from Bleach, but the content is amazing. No bad songs, but it really should be longer. More rarities and a second disc would be more satisfying.

If you love Nirvana, buy it. If they're average to you, don't. It contains a few rare tracks, but it's nothing special.
I close my eyes and imagine I'm at their concert when I listen to this.

Personally, not fussed about this. It's an album for money, in my opinion.

More tracks you won't have heard. In fact, you probably don't know this one exists, but for a hardcore fan, it's essential.
The Newcomers



I know this isn't necessarily an album, but it's great.


