This is the soundtrack to the intriguing documentary of Kurt Cobain’s life that, as of this writing, I have yet to see. Apparently, the entire film is somewhat of a biopic “narrated” by Cobain utilizing conversations tape-recorded by Come As You Are author Michael Azerrad. Though this soundtrack contains no Nirvana music (it does contain a few snippets of Cobain speaking from the movie), it is an excellent mix-tape of sorts that one might suppose Kurt himself would have made for a friend. I happen to like Nirvana, but like them or not, Kurt Cobain had an excellent taste in music, which is reflected here. On what other CD could one find an Arlo Guthrie song followed by “Eye Flys” by the Melvins? Or Creedence Clearwater Revival back-to-back with the Bad Brains’ “Banned in DC?” Other highlights include “Son of a Gun” by The Vaselines, “The Bourgeois Blues” by Lead Belly, the deeply sad “Museum” by Cobain friend and frequent collaborator Mark Lanegan, and “The Man Who Sold The World” by David Bowie — I suspect there are many people out there who’ve heard Nirvana’s tune repeatedly without ever hearing the original Bowie version. Even bands that I have never particularly enjoyed, Butthole Surfers and Scratch Acid, turn in two of their best songs here (“Owner’s Lament” is a great tune, and is perhaps the only really listenable Scratch Acid song). To top it off, the “original” grunge song, “Touch Me, I’m Sick” by Mudhoney, is smack-dab in the middle of the compilation. True, none of these songs are previously unreleased, but this is a great mix just the same, and how convenient having them all here in one tidy package.

(Barsuk Records, PO Box 22546, Seattle, WA 98122)