POSTHUMOUS ALBUMS: Come As You Are

In November of 1993, Nirvana performed on MTV's Unplugged. It was something all the top stars of the day (and days past) were doing, and Nirvana had a new album, In Utero, to promote. Unintentionally, they ended up showing the world just how versatile a group they were.

Touring guitarist Pat Smear and cellist Lori Goldsten augmented the core trio of Kurt Cobain, bassist Krist Novoselic and drummer Dave Grohl. Cris and Curt Kirkwood of the Meat Puppets joined the band for three of their own songs. Fleshed out but not fattened, Nirvana painted with a lot of colors they hadn't used before. Novoselic played accordion on "Jesus Doesn't Want Me For a Sunbeam," and though his Foo Fighting days lay ahead, Dave Grohl plucked a little bass and supplied backing vocals.

The band attempted several covers that night, ranging from David Bowie's "The Man Who Sold the World" to Leadbelly's "Where Did You Sleep Last Night?", the album's finale and highlight. (They also cheated a little: some electric guitar sneaks in here and there, but the sound is still crisp and intimate).

Five months after the performance, Cobain took his own life. MTV Unplugged in New York arrived on CD that November, a year after its recording. It's noteworthy not for just being a great posthumous release, but also for displaying previously unheard potential that would never be further developed.

It may not be Nirvana's most groundbreaking album. That prize goes to the era-defining Nevermind. Grohl has said Bleach may be the group's best overall, and he didn't even play on it. But Unplugged is the finest example of Nirvana's collective skills. It's their most diverse, surprising album, full of moments both lovely and terrifying. It's also the saddest; without all the electric noise of their other records, you can really hear how badly Cobain was hurting.

TODAY'S RECOMMENDATION: "Where Did You Sleep Last Night" by Nirvana
AVAILABLE ON: MTV Unplugged in New York; iTunes