With the Lights Out cover

With the Lights Out

Nirvana · 2004

282 min · 81 tracks · alternative rock

A raw, unfiltered collection of early demos and live performances that captures Nirvana's chaotic energy and formative sound.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Smells Like Teen Spirit (rehearsal demo, 1991) — This track captures the raw energy of Nirvana's most famous song in its nascent form, showcasing how their sound evolved during rehearsals. The demo reveals subtle differences in arrangement and performance that distinguish it from the polished studio version.
  • →
    Aneurysm (demo, 1990) — The intensity of this demo underscores Nirvana's dynamic range, with its explosive choruses and relentless drive. It reflects the band's ability to blend vulnerability with aggressive instrumentation, a hallmark of their style.
  • →
    Heartbreaker (live, 1987) Start here — As one of the earliest live recordings included, this track exemplifies the raw punk ethos that shaped Nirvana’s identity before mainstream success. Its frenetic pace highlights their underground roots.
  • →
    Polly (solo acoustic, 1988) — This acoustic rendition brings a haunting intimacy to a song that deals with dark subject matter, showcasing Kurt Cobain's lyrical prowess and emotional delivery. It contrasts sharply with heavier tracks on the album.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

51 /100
Foothills
Higher than 34% of albums we've rated

The album captures Nirvana's formative sound but lacks the polish of studio releases, making it significant yet uneven.

What we noticed

  • Many tracks are presented in their unrefined state, with some featuring incomplete arrangements and rough vocal takes.
  • The sequencing includes multiple versions of songs like 'Polly' and 'About a Girl', highlighting the evolution of these tracks over time.
Composition 25% of the score
6/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
5/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
7/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
8/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
4/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • raw energy from live performances
  • captivating early songwriting explorations
  • wave-like pacing with surprises
  • nostalgic vibes for dedicated fans

Maybe skip if you

  • seeking polished studio productions
  • prefer concise, radio-friendly tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Deep Cut — A collection of rarities that showcases early sound, appealing to dedicated fans.
Themes
punk influences· raw energy· youth culture· Cobain's vulnerability
Career context
Released posthumously in 2004, 'With the Lights Out' showcases Nirvana during their rise to fame, compiling unreleased tracks from the band's early years. This collection arrives more than a decade after Kurt Cobain's death and offers fans a glimpse into their creative process before the iconic 'Nevermind'. It serves as both a tribute to their legacy and an exploration of their artistic evolution.
Stylistic neighbors
Soundgarden· Alice in Chains· Pearl Jam
New to Nirvana? Find your way in →

Tracklist

Disc 1

  • 1 Heartbreaker (live, 1987) Start here 2:59
  • 2 Anorexorcist (radio performance, 1987) 2:44
  • 3 White Lace and Strange (radio performance, 1987) 2:09
  • 4 Help Me I’m Hungry (radio performance, 1987) 2:41
  • 5 Mrs. Butterworth (rehearsal recording, 1988) 4:05
  • 6 If You Must (demo, 1988) 4:01
  • 7 Pen Cap Chew (demo, 1988) 3:02
  • 8 Downer (live, 1988) 1:43
  • 9 Floyd the Barber (live, 1988) 2:33
  • 10 Raunchola / Moby Dick (live, 1988) 6:24
  • 11 Beans (solo acoustic, undated) 1:32
  • 12 Don’t Want It All (solo acoustic, undated) 2:26
  • 13 Clean Up Before She Comes (solo acoustic, undated) 3:12
  • 14 Polly (solo acoustic, 1988) 2:30
  • 15 About a Girl (solo acoustic, 1988) 2:44
  • 16 Blandest (demo, 1988) 3:56
  • 17 Dive (demo, 1988) 4:50
  • 18 They Hung Him on a Cross (demo, 1989) 1:57
  • 19 Grey Goose (demo, 1989) 4:36
  • 20 Ain’t It a Shame (demo, 1989) 2:01
  • 21 Token Eastern Song (demo, 1989) 3:21
  • 22 Even in His Youth (demo, 1989) 3:12
  • 23 Polly (demo, 1989) 2:36

Disc 2

  • 1 Opinion (solo acoustic, 1990) 1:34
  • 2 Lithium (solo acoustic, 1990) 1:49
  • 3 Been a Son (solo acoustic, 1990) 1:12
  • 4 Sliver (solo acoustic, 1989) 2:09
  • 5 Where Did You Sleep Last Night? (solo acoustic, 1989) 2:31
  • 6 Pay to Play (demo, 1990) 3:29
  • 7 Here She Comes Now (demo, 1990) 5:01
  • 8 Drain You (demo, 1990) 2:38
  • 9 Aneurysm (demo, 1990) 4:47
  • 10 Smells Like Teen Spirit (rehearsal demo, 1991) 5:40
  • 11 Breed (rough mix, 1991) 3:07
  • 12 Verse Chorus Verse (outtake, 1991) 3:18
  • 13 Old Age (outtake, 1991) 4:20
  • 14 Endless, Nameless (radio appearance, 1991) 8:48
  • 15 Dumb (radio appearance, 1991) 2:35
  • 16 D‐7 (radio appearance, 1990) 3:46
  • 17 Oh, the Guilt (B‐side, 1992) 3:25
  • 18 Curmudgeon (B‐side, 1992) 3:03
  • 19 Return of the Rat (outtake, 1992) 3:09
  • 20 Smells Like Teen Spirit (Butch Vig mix) 4:59

Disc 3

  • 1 Rape Me (solo acoustic, 1992) 3:23
  • 2 Rape Me (demo, 1992) 3:01
  • 3 Scentless Apprentice (rehearsal demo, 1992) 9:32
  • 4 Heart‐Shaped Box (demo, 1993) 5:31
  • 5 I Hate Myself and I Want to Die (B‐side, 1993) 4:03
  • 6 Milk It (demo, 1993) 4:34
  • 7 M. V. (demo, 1993) 1:56
  • 8 Gallons of Rubbing Alcohol Flow Through the Strip (B‐side, 1993) 7:34
  • 9 The Other Improv (demo, 1993) 6:24
  • 10 Serve the Servants (solo acoustic, 1993) 1:36
  • 11 Very Ape (solo acoustic, 1993) 1:52
  • 12 Pennyroyal Tea (solo acoustic, 1993) 3:30
  • 13 Marigold (B‐side, 1993) 2:34
  • 14 Sappy (B‐side, 1993) 3:26
  • 15 Jesus Doesn’t Want Me for a Sunbeam (rehearsal demo, 1994) 3:57
  • 16 Do Re Mi (solo acoustic, 1994) 4:24
  • 17 You Know You’re Right (solo acoustic, 1994) 2:30
  • 18 All Apologies (solo acoustic, undated) 3:33

Disc 4

  • 1 Love Buzz 2:33
  • 2 Scoff 0:28
  • 3 About a Girl 3:05
  • 4 Big Long Now 4:21
  • 5 Immigrant Song 1:57
  • 6 Spank Thru 3:03
  • 7 Hairspray Queen 3:38
  • 8 School 2:54
  • 9 Mr. Moustache 3:47
  • 10 Big Cheese 3:15
  • 11 Sappy 4:28
  • 12 In Bloom 4:31
  • 13 School 2:33
  • 14 Love Buzz 3:41
  • 15 Pennyroyal Tea 1:55
  • 16 Smells Like Teen Spirit 6:17
  • 17 Territorial Pissings 2:45
  • 18 Jesus Doesn’t Want Me for a Sunbeam 3:31
  • 19 Talk to Me 3:33
  • 20 Seasons in the Sun 3:22

What to play next

In Utero
Listen next

In Utero

1993

It continues the raw energy and emotional depth found in 'With the Lights Out'.
Incesticide
Go back to

Incesticide

1992

This album offers a similar chaotic sound and is a natural precursor to 'With the Lights Out'.
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Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata