Bleach (20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition) [Extra tracks, Deluxe Edition]

Nirvana | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 3, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 1989
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Extra tracks, Deluxe Edition
• Label: Sub Pop
• ASIN: B002JN74VY
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (50 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,783 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Blew

2. Floyd the Barber

3. About a Girl

4. School

5. Love Buzz

6. Paper Cuts

7. Negative Creep

8. Scoff

9. Swap Meet

10. Mr. Moustache

11. Sifting

12. Big Cheese

13. Downer

14. Intro (Live)

15. School (Live)

16. Floyd the Barber (Live)

17. Dive (Live)

18. Love Buzz (Live)

19. Spank Thru (Live)

20. Molly s Lips (Live)

See all 25 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Marking the 20th Anniversary of Nirvana s debut album, Sub Pop will re-issue the Platinum Certified Bleach on November 3, 2009. This expanded CD will include special packaging & a never-before-released live performance. Originally recorded over three sessions with producer Jack Endino at Seattle's Reciprocal Recording Studios in December 1988 and January 1989, Bleach was released in June of 1989 and remains unequivocally/unsurprisingly Sub Pop's very favorite Nirvana full-length. The album initially sold 40,000 copies, but was brought into the international spotlight following the release and worldwide success of their 1991 sophomore effort, Nevermind. Subsequently Bleach went on to sell 1.7 million copies in the US alone, according to Nielsen SoundScan. This 20th Anniversary Edition has been re-mastered from the original tapes at Sterling Sound in a session overseen by producer Jack Endino. This edition will include an unreleased live recording of a complete February 9th, 1990 show at the Pine Street Theatre in Portland, Oregon. The show features performances of "Love Buzz," "About a Girl" and a cover of The Vaselines song "Molly's Lips" and has been re-mixed from the original tapes by Endino (complete track listing below). A 48-page CD booklet which includes candid photos of the band not previously released to the public will also be included in this deluxe edition.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 60 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing CD. One of the best reissues I have the pleasure to own. November 9, 2009

By Juan Fuentes

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

I suppose that, If you're reading this, there's a high chance that you're already a Nirvana fan, and you might be wondering if this reissue is worth buying. Or maybe you're new into Nirvana, and want to know if this one is a good place to start. Whoever you are, I highly recommend you get this CD, and I'll tell you why.

If you're a Nirvana fan, let me tell you two things. First, the whole record sounds better. Of course, it won't sound "Produced in 2009" better, but the songs do sound better compared with my old Bleach CD. Second, the live tracks and picture booklet are worth the spend just by themselves. I am amazed at how a 1990 Sub Pop live recording sounds that good. "Sappy" is one of my favorite Nirvana songs, and the live version here is just amazing. Again, it's not "2009 produced" sound quality, but hey, 1990, three instruments, one voice. Grunge at its best. What's not to like? Buy it.

If you're new to Nirvana, the obvious advice would be to tell you to get Nirvana's "Nevermind" first. You probably have heard "Smells Like Teen Spirit" already. so you should get that one, right? Well, not at all. I think it would be a greater experience if you get Bleach first (this Deluxe Edition, while you're at it), so you can see where this band came from in the first place. You will find yourself attracted to the raw and dark emotion of songs like "Blew", "School", "Negative Creep" or the haunting "Paper Cuts", and you will be amazed that Nirvana could also put some good pop-rock songs like "About A Girl" or "Love Buzz" on the same CD. Or you'll just simply love songs like "Sifting" and "Downer", like I do, just because. Then, you'll have the opportunity to hear some of these songs live, on the same disc.... When you have experienced that, and liked that, you'll be in a greater state of mind to buy "Nevermind" and be blown away.

On a more particular note, I own a lot of reissues from other bands, specially from bands that have been around for longer than I have been alive. Usually, they'll throw in 2-4 demos or live tracks, that are ussually not as interesting as the album, and a booklet with plenty of words of wisdom from the band or people close to it. What really makes this Bleach edition stand out is the inclusion of a whole concert, and the booklet with all the pictures that do a good work into bringing you back to that era. As I said before, the bonuses are worth the spend.

I would also like to correct a fellow reviewer. This live show existed on bootleg form, though not complete (look for the bootleg "World Without End"). Needless to say, the bootleg sounds like crap compared to the sound quality of this Deluxe Edition of Bleach.

Again, highly recommended. And a good price too. Get it. Read more ›

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Can't believe this is twenty years old... November 3, 2009

By theshape1

Format:Audio CD

I Picked up this edition of the classic debut from Nirvana today. Really does sound great! All of the original album tracks sound like they have been treated with great respect in the remastering process. The extended packaging is great. Because, lets face it, the original "Bleach" packaging left something to be desired... And to top it all off, an awesome "Bleach" era concert! One that, in all my bootleg collecting years, I have not yet heard.

If you're a fan, do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of this "20th Anniversary Edition of "Bleach"! You won't regret it ;)

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars very well made November 3, 2009

By Music Fan

Format:Audio CD

I can say I am not disappointed with the re-release of Nirvana's debut album "bleach". The packaging is very well done and it contains a booklet with a LOT of never seen pictures from the band back in 1989-90. It even contains I believe all the pictures that were taken to promote the album back then. You get one CD with a remastered version of the album that sounds pretty darn good. It is followed by the audio of an entire live concert that was recorded back in 1990. I had never heard live versions of songs like "sappy" and "molly's lips" so I was pretty impressed with this. The sound of the concert is also excellent. Overall a very good product. They didn't mess with the fans.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Good remaster, Great reissue. Good package. Buy this if you enjoy the album. November 24, 2009

By T. Herremans

Format:Vinyl|Amazon Verified Purchase

You can really tell it was remastered.. It sounds great. crisp. high in detail. Buy it now to get the limited wax. Also just so you are clear, the amazon picture shows the CD next to the album, leading you to believe maybe it comes with it. However, it does not. It does come with a digital download registration though, which I won't need since I bought the CD version of this release also. Which sounds great too, noticeably "different" sounding, but in a good way.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Soaked In Bleach... October 10, 2010

By Scott Lancaster

Format:Audio CD

20 years after the release of Nirvana's first album, the good, but not great Bleach, it finally gets the reissue treatment courtesy of Sub Pop.

The Packaging: Very well done job with this. Lots and lots of unseen early photos of the band.

The Mixing: Major props go to Jack Endino for this. The mixing is excellent and isn't too loud, unlike every other Nirvana release since the 2002 compilation "Nirvana"

Bonus Content: Includes a complete concert of a Nirvana show at the Pine Street theater, in early 1990, a few months before drummer Chad Channing's departure.
This show was also used previously for b-sides on the Sliver single. Unfortunately most of the stage banter is cut, and the editing is choppy. And the fact that it's at the end of the first disc makes it rather awkward. I would have preferred a 2nd disc with the show. But it does include rarities such as an early Sappy and a live Molly's Lips, and even here the band does sound powerful live.

Also, being greedy from lots of other excellent reissues lately (Pavement, Sonic Youth, Radiohead) there are plenty of rarities that could have been included as bonus content on the 2nd disc, including:

A 1989 John Peel Session with 4 songs
The "Blew EP" b-sides Been A Son and Stain
The original 7" mix of Love Buzz
The Sub Pop 200 version of Spank Thru
Various outtakes that were included previously on Incesticide (Big Long Now) and With The Lights Out (If You Must, Pen Cap Chew, Blandest)
Other recordings that have surfaced on bootlegs, including alternate versions of Spank Thru, Blew, Sifting and Mr. Moustache
A version of Hairspray Queen attempted during the sessions, that has been unheard anywhere....

Of course, most of this is nitpicking but super elitist collector fans. I think casual fans will be happy with this release, and although it may be a small disappointment, it is still an enjoyable listen. Read more ›