New Nirvana Songs to Surface In November

By Ian Rice
Arts and Lifestyle Editor 

 Fans of Nirvana, one of alternative rock's most influential and revered bands, will be treated to three previously unissued songs this November, when Geffen Records releases a rarities compilation spanning the group's career. The three new tracks will be accompanied with material that was previously included on the band's 2004 box set, With the Lights Out, which was a top seller last holiday season. The upcoming release, entitled Sliver, will be limited to one disc and is expected to generate a significant amount of sales.

Also noteworthy with regard to the upcoming compilation is the active involvement Francis Bean Cobain had in its assembly. The only daughter of Nirvana's leader and songwriter Kurt Cobain, Francis Bean selected both the title and the cover art images for Sliver. "Courtney and I involve Frances in Nirvana/Kurt decisions whenever we can," Peter Asher, manager of both Cobain's widow Courtney Love and the Cobain estate, told Rolling Stone magazine earlier this month. "She's very perceptive and has cool ideas."

Nirvana formed in Seattle, WA during the late 1980's and made their major label debut in 1991 with the multi-platinum smash Nevermind. The album, which spawned such massive singles as "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and "In Bloom," revitalized the rock world and turned Cobain into a music icon. The attention was not warmly received by Cobain, who suffered from extreme bouts of depression. He retaliated by intentionally crafting a release that would turn-off the mainstream, 1993's In Utero. His plan backfired, however, as the release also garnered mass popularity and critical attention. Crushed under the weight of his unwanted fame, Cobain took his own life on April 8, 1994. His legacy has survived since, despite legal battles concerning his unissued material between his widow Love and his former bandmates Krist Novoselic and Dave Grohl.

Despite the legal mess that surrounded the With the Lights Out box set, Sliver's compilation and impending release has gone quite smoothly, which proves positive for the hope of future releases.