“Is it the choice of material or the spare surroundings that make it so effective? Well, it's certainly a combination of both.” ^STE “The powerful, reverent covers of Lead Belly, Bowie and Meat Puppets songs sum Nirvana up as a haunted, theatrical and, ultimately, truly raw band.” ^RS “The version of the Vaselines' Jesus Don't Want Me for a Sunbeam or the three covers of Meat Puppets II songs mean as much as All Apologies or Something in the Way.” ^STE

“This, in many senses, isn't just an abnormal Nirvana record, capturing them in their sincerest desire to be R.E.M. circa Automatic for the People, it's the Nirvana record that nobody, especially Kurt, wanted revealed. It's a nakedly emotional record, unintentionally so, as the subtext means more than the main themes of how Nirvana wanted to prove its worth and diversity, showcasing the depth of their songwriting. As it turns out, it accomplishes its goals rather too well; this is a band, and songwriter, on the verge of discovering a new sound and style.” ^STE

“Then, there's the subtexts, as Kurt's hurt and suicidal impulses bubble to the surface even as he's trying to suppress them. Few records are as unblinkingly bare and naked as this, especially albums recorded by their peers. No other band could have offered covers of David Bowie's The Man Who Sold the World and the folk standard Where Did You Sleep Last Night on the same record, turning in chilling performances of both – performances that reveal as much as their original songs.” ^STE