In 1989, Nirvana were mentioned in the same breath as Mudhoney, Tad and The Melvins--just another band doing the rounds on the Seattle underground. Bleach doesn't adequately explain why, so many years on, Nirvana remains a household name when so many of their contemporaries have been forgotten, but it offers the first essential clues. "About A Girl", for instance, which was later memorably revived for their MTV Unplugged In New York album, is one of Nirvana's finest moments--a Beatles-esque light touch between the caustic likes of "Floyd The Barber" and "School". It was when Nirvana toned down the fuzz-metallic tendencies so characteristic of the Sub Pop label that Cobain's gift for melody shone through- -notably, the cover of Shocking Blue's "Love Buzz". Of course, Cobain quickly realised this, and much better was to come with 1991's classic Nevermind. --Louis Pattison

CD Description

'Bleach' was the debut album from Seattle grunge legends Nirvana. Originally released in 1989 on indie label Sub Pop and later reissued by Geffen in 1992, it is a fusion of down-tuned rock and melodic punk. Heavily influenced by The Melvins, Sonic Youth and most notably The Pixies with their punk attitude and pop melodies. The drums on the album were playedby Chad Channing who was replaced by Dave Grohl in 1990.

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Customer Reviews

60 Reviews

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(21)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
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Average Customer Review

4.4 out of 5 stars (60 customer reviews)

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16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nirvana's Best Album, 26 Jul 2007

By	Gertrude Stein (England.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bleach (Audio CD)

In my opinion this is Nirvans best album by far, followed by 'In Utero' Then 'Nevermind'.

The most striking thing about it (after you've heard Nevermind) is the production. Its much rawer and adds to the aggression of the songs. Kurt himself complained that 'Nevermind' sounded like 'a Bon Jovi album' and it suits them when they leave things scuzzed up as on here and 'In Utero'

My favourite tracks on here have to be 'School' and 'Downer', which for me are classics even to this day.

I cannot think of a single track on here that would come under the category of 'filler'. You can see why it didn't sell well though, until Nevermind hit the big time. It is much darker than any of Nirvanas other work, with fewer melodies and brooding, droning songs, I love it!!!!

This is a must buy and if you only own 'Nevermind', you are missing out here. This is by far Nirvanas best album.

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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Pure Grunge Album, 31 Aug 2007

By	D. Newton (Swindon, Wilts) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Bleach (Audio CD)

Recorded on a shoestring budget and released back in 1989 when Seattle was still a relatively obscure musical backwater, it was nevertherless clear that Nirvana were something special. Grunge contemporaries like Tad, Mudhoney and Soundgarden certainly had some fine moments but none were able to produce records of such consistent excellence.

All of the ingredients for a grunge classic are here: slow, heavy riffing of sludgy guitars and lyrics which convey the stifling frustration of being a social misfit in a small American town.

What sets `Bleach' apart from its peers, though, is Cobain's seemingly innate deftness of touch and pop sensibility. This really shines through on `Blew' and the rightly celebrated `About a Girl' (which Cobain feared might be too poppy for his label) but is also present on heavier numbers like `Floyd the Barber', `School' and the claustrophobic `Sifting'. Even the out-and-out thrilling thrash-fest of `Negative Creep' can be sung (or screamed) along to.

`Bleach' caught the ear of David Geffen and `Nevermind' catapulted Cobain to reluctant superstardom, but the seeds of greatness were sown in this brilliant record, arguably the greatest grunge LP recorded.

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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Offers some clues of things to come..., 24 Jul 2002

By	"haller_1979" - See all my reviews

Even though this is a tackily produced album there are some tracks on it which demonstrate the melodic prowess that made Nirvana great. It opens with a cool grungy tune 'Blew' in which Krist's bass is more noticable than usual and then delivers 'Floyd the Barber' a highly likable song about a nightmarish visit to the barber shop. 'About a Girl' is probably the most sophisticated track lyrically and musically and is just as enjoyable on this as it is on MTV Unplugged. School is another rocking track that should appeal to any rock fan as it has a nice riff and strong bass line coupled with Kurt screaming the amusing line 'Won't you believe it's just my luck? - NO RECESS!!'
Love Buzz is a good cover, originally recorded by some obscure Dutch group called 'Shocking Blue' (another example of Kurt's reverence for little known bands). The remaining tracks are coarser and less melodically defined than the first five, Paper Cuts is enjoyable for Kurt's hair-raising wailing if nothing else and tracks like Negative Creep and Scoff offer strong riffs from start to finish without approaching anything near great musicianship.
Chad Channing's average drumming highlight's even further the importance of Dave Grohl (and a bigger record label) in Nirvana's later commercial success.
A debut album to be proud of.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Nothing special
Certain cloth-eared punk puritans would have you believe this is a superior album to Nevermind. In reality in only hints at the songwriting talent Kurt Cobain would develop into... Read more

Published 9 months ago by J. Jenkins

5.0 out of 5 stars Nirvana at their rawest
This is my favourite nirvana album, I first heard it when I was 11, I'm now 27! I had previously heard Nevermind and fell in love with Lithium, so I had to discover their earlier... Read more

Published 13 months ago by B. olney

5.0 out of 5 stars You either get it or you don't...
To put it bluntly, you can always tell the people who really get what Nirvana were about - they're the ones who recognise Bleach as the best album, In Utero as the next best, and... Read more

Published 16 months ago by Matt_K

5.0 out of 5 stars Nirvana's real classic.
I actually bought this CD before Nevermind and the copy I have is an original CD on the Sub-Pop label. Read more

Published on 30 Aug 2007 by P. Philips

4.0 out of 5 stars A fantastic example of the grunge music genre.
This is the debut album made by the late Kurt cobain and the crew. It never really became well known untill the later album Nevermind by them became a massive hit with the track... Read more

Published on 18 Jul 2007 by James Petford

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent start to a brilliant band
Nirvana's debut album is an excellent example of the Seattle sound. This album is based on all the bands that influenced Kurt. Read more

Published on 6 Mar 2007 by no quarter

4.0 out of 5 stars A Pleasent Surprise
This is actually the first album ive ever brought by Nirvana which most of u mind consider strange coz BLEACH is not the first thing people usually start their musical... Read more

Published on 18 Jul 2006 by Crazy Rocket Guy In Superman O...

5.0 out of 5 stars wicked album!
ive only just gotten into nirvana and i bought 'in utero' which is an amazing album, no doubt about it, and i bought it for the song 'heart shaped box'. Read more

Published on 1 Jun 2006 by K. L. Norman

5.0 out of 5 stars bleach album
all you hear about it Nevermind, yeah Nevermind is an awesome album 5/5. but you must remember Bleach was Nirvana's first album full of grunge and raw punk. Read more

Published on 11 April 2006

5.0 out of 5 stars Underrated classic
I've been a Nirvana fan for a number of years now and i've loved music since I can remember, but rarely have I seen such an intense love/hate relationship between music fans than... Read more

Published on 23 Mar 2006 by Graham S. Clark

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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

	53% buy the item featured on this page: Bleach 4.4 out of 5 stars (60)
	16% buy In Utero 4.7 out of 5 stars (76) �4.98
	14% buy Nevermind 4.4 out of 5 stars (197) �4.98
	10% buy Bleach (Remastered) �8.98