In Utero (20th Anniversary Edition)

If Nevermind's polished sound was a glorious blaze in a candle factory, In Utero's was a grease fire on a blackened stove. The trio recorded the follow-up to their multi-platinum triumph with indie godhead Steve Albini. Kurt Cobain had a case of squawling dissatisfaction to unload, and from "Scentless Apprentice" to "Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge on Seattle," he soaked the floors with it. The band also covered the bases from regret ("All Apologies") to incoherence ("Tourette's") and even a grudging pleasure ("Dumb"). In Utero is final proof that a record can't expel all the poison from an artist's system.