Finding Nirvana again

Buying a greatest hits album is one of the best ways to learn more about a musical group you know little about.

So, if the only thing you know about Nirvana is that the lead singer Kurt Cobain killed himself, realize you’ll be schooled upon listening to the band’s newly-released self-titled album.

This compilation is your vehicle, equipped with a touring package through Nirvanaland.

“You Know You’re Right” is the perfect introduction to the kind of intensity and passion the band put into it’s work.

“You Know You’re Right” is also one of the key songs in a legal battle between Krist Novoselic and Dave Grohl, the existing members of Nirvana, and Cobain’s widow, Courtney Love.

The track appears as one of two previously unreleased tracks.

It sounds dark and aggravated. The verse-to-chorus transitions in the music sound like time bombs waiting to detonate.

It simmers low, rises, then explodes with Kurt Cobain’s vocals and guitar tearing through the drums in the background.

After the grand entrance, the album takes an awkward turn into three punk songs from the band’s earlier days.

By track five, we’ve reached the Nevermind era and the mood flips into full-out grunge mode with “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” “Come As You Are,” “Lithium” and “In Bloom” were also selected from Nevermind.

“In Bloom” is low and soulful. In the beginning the melody is mildly reminiscent of Prince’s “Darling Nikki.”

“Heart Shaped Box” shifts gears over to the songs from In Utero. “Rape Me” and “Dumb” are included, as well as an unreleased Scott Litt remix of “Pennyroyal Tea.”

“All Apologies” and “The Man Who Sold the World” from the MTV Unplugged album close the composition.

The Verdict: Kudos to Novoselic and Grohl’s legal team for winning the war against Courtney Love for control of Nirvana’s unreleased tapes.

“You Know You’re Right” is pure art. The rest of the compilation is a solid tour through a few highlights of the band’s musical history.

Even the album insert is interesting. Along with pictures of the band, there’s a moving essay about the work, songs and spirit that this album is made of. If you didn’t really know Nirvana before, you’ll want to know them after this.