“Montage of Heck: The Home Recordings”, the soundtrack to the critically acclaimed documentary on rock legend Kurt Cobain has been released to the world, opening a musical time capsule whose contents are still fresh in most people’s heads.
“The Home Recordings”, much like the film with the same title, “Montage of Heck” which debuted in May through the cable giant HBO, offers a more personal glimpse into the troubled and jovial mind of the music icon.
These lost recordings show the infancy of notable songs such as “Something In The Way”, which started out, as chaotic and heavy before ultimately morphing in to the somber final cut and a brief appearance of “Been A Son”, which remains recognizable but with slightly different lyrics in the chorus. “Sappy” which was released in a hidden track in 1993, started as a gloomy anthem for unhappy individuals before earning its Nirvana-esque sound which seemed to work well either way.
“Montage” also treats listeners to a cover of The Beatles song “And I Love Her”, which Cobain beautifully revamps with a lethargic pace with the help of his trusted guitar. Cobain’s signature melodious but gravelly voice sheds the 60’s campiness and instills a relatable sense of pain and longing inflicted by unrequited love.
The handful of short never-before heard songs that “Montage” introduces, such as the bitter and vindictive “She Only Lies” and the potential, would-have been hits, “Poison’s Gone” and “What More Can I Say” just to name a few, stir a fleeting intrigue. Some of these newer songs however are found in the deluxe version of the album, which has 18 additional songs as opposed to the standard.
The soundtrack stays true to its “The Home Recordings” title by peppering the album with several short and lighthearted ramblings courtesy of Cobain in-between demos. However, the album briefly reaches some personal depth with the narrative track “Aberdeen” where Cobain offers a glimpse into his tumultuous and lonely youth, which was brought to life in the film through animation.
The devoted admirers of Nirvana will develop a craving of what could have been and will vaguely reignite their residual angst for old time’s sake, but just barely. Though there is plenty of audio of Cobain shooting the breeze and inviting listeners to observe him letting loose in his creative process, it is something that diehard fans will appreciate the most.
Though Nirvana – along with their legendary front man – will remain relevant to future generations to come, there’s only so many “lost” recordings the label can conjure up to make a profit and attempt to reintroduce the driving force behind the influential band. The band and Cobain don’t seem to need any help in cultivating interest, nearly 22 years after his death. Though the singer/songwriter has been long gone, he along with his creation don’t seem to be slowing down, with or without special box sets and “never before” heard demos.
The album is available for purchase in stores or at Amazon and iTunes or can be heard for free at YouTube.
