Bleach   by Nirvana

Bleach, released in June 1989 by Sub Pop, is the raw foundation upon which the legend of Nirvana was built. With a budget of just $606, producer Jack Endino managed to capture a dark and heavy sound, influenced by the sludge metal of the Melvins and the punk of that era.

The album's sound is abrasive and muddy. Although its success was initially limited to Seattle’s underground circles, Bleach proved Kurt Cobain's unique ability to combine aggression with pop melodies. Its significance is immense, as it paved the way for the grunge explosion, establishing Nirvana as the face of an entire generation. The song "About A Girl" stands out as a rare moment of pure melody, showcasing Cobain’s love for the Beatles amidst the chaos of distortion. Even though Jason Everman is credited on the cover as a guitarist (since he paid for the recording costs), he didn't play a single note on the record! Bleach remains the band's most honest and unrefined moment.

Upon its 1989 release, Bleach failed to enter any official charts. Despite positive reviews, sales were limited, reaching only 40,000 copies in North America before the band's breakthrough. Following the massive success of Nevermind, Geffen re-released the album, which then reached No. 89 on the US Billboard 200 and No. 33 on the UK charts. Bleach saw another surge, hitting the top of the Top Pop Catalog Albums in May 1994, following Cobain’s death.