Bleach was the debut album by Nirvana, released in 1989 through Sub Pop.

Most of the songs feature themes based on life in Aberdeen, Washington, a small, working class town where songwriter Kurt Cobain grew up. The album is heavily influenced by early Black Sabbath as well as the heavy dirge rock of The Melvins and Mudhoney. The band's punk rock roots are most evident on "Negative Creep" though there is little trace of the direction they would later go in. "Love Buzz", Nirvana's first single, is a cover of a Shocking Blue song and "About A Girl" displays the quiet/loud dynamic of the Pixies and Dinosaur Jr., a dynamic Nirvana would later make their own. Bleach was recorded at the Reciprocal Recording Studios in Seattle, Washington for $600, by perhaps the best music producer could buy for that price: Jack Endino.

Track listing

1. "Blew" (Cobain) - 2:54
2. "Floyd The Barber" (Cobain) - 2:17
3. "About a Girl" (Cobain) - 2:48
4. "School" (Cobain) - 2:42
5. "Love Buzz" (Cobain) (Robby Van Leeuwen) - 3:35
6. "Paper Cuts" (Cobain) - 4:05
7. "Negative Creep" (Cobain) - 2:55
8. "Scoff" (Cobain) - 4:10
9. "Swap Meet" (Cobain) - 3:02
10. "Mr. Moustache" (Cobain) - 3:23
11. "Sifting" (Cobain) - 5:22
12. "Big Cheese" (Cobain) - 3:42
13. "Downer" (Cobain) - 1:42

The 1992 re-release by Geffen Records added "Downer", which can also be found on Incesticide.

Singles

"Love Buzz" was released with "Big Cheese" in October 1988. The version of "Love Buzz" on the single has a different mix than the album version, and features a sound collage by Kurt Cobain.

"Blew" was released through Tupelo Records in December 1989 with "Love Buzz", "Been a Son" and "Stain". "Been a Son" and "Stain" were written by Kurt Cobain and Krist Novoselic.

Chart position

Personnel

• Kurt Cobain - Vocals, Guitar (as Kurdt Kobain)
• Krist Novoselic - Bass (as Chris Novoselic)
• Chad Channing - Drums
• Jason Everman - Guitar (paid for the recording but he does not perform on the record)
• Dale Crover - Drums ("Floyd The Barber", "Paper Cuts" and "Downer")
• Jack Endino - Producer
• Tracy Marander - Photography
• Charles Peterson - Photography
• Lisa Orth - Design
• Jane Higgins - Execution

External links

• Bleach Lyrics - Nirvana