"From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah" is a live album by American rock band Nirvana, released on October 1, 1996, by DGC Records. The album features performances recorded between 1989 and 1994, showcasing the band's raw energy and heavier sound, especially in contrast to the acoustic vibe of their previous release, MTV Unplugged in New York.
The album was compiled primarily by bassist Krist Novoselic and came out two years after the tragic death of the band's frontman, Kurt Cobain, in April 1994. Originally intended to be packaged as part of a double album titled Verse Chorus Verse alongside MTV Unplugged, the project faced challenges in its execution, particularly in the emotional aftermath of Cobain's passing. While a live album was initially planned in 1994, the compilation of From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah took more time and underwent significant changes, ultimately resulting in a selection of tracks that highlighted the band's live prowess.
The title of the album references the Wishkah River in Aberdeen, Washington, a place that Cobain famously connected with in his lyrics. Though he claimed to have spent nights sleeping under a bridge there, Novoselic later refuted this notion, noting it was more a part of Cobain's artistic narrative than reality.
Upon release, From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, selling nearly 159,000 copies in its first week. The album spent 25 weeks on the chart and became Nirvana's sixth platinum album in the U.S. The promotional single "Aneurysm" performed well, reaching number 11 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, and its music video gained traction in Canada. A second single, "Drain You," also charted briefly.
Critically, the album was well-received, ranking as the ninth best album of 1996 in Rolling Stone's annual critics' poll. The live recordings capture the spirit of Nirvana's live shows, encapsulating the band's impact on rock music during their brief but influential career.
