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I agree with this, but I like the Albini version. My first listen to this track (in a long time since hearing the other version) the vocal is centered with good imaging, and is much less boomy than the original CD version.

Very much like it's a person in a room, instead of processed.

It is far less "in your face", and arguably, teenagers then might not have thought it cool. Like a band from the 70's or 80's.

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Will have to listen through good headphones tomorrow. My initial impression is also that I like Albini's version more, but I understand why the song became famous from the final mix.

Albini's does lack that separation that differentiated the remixed songs from contemporary and then recent punk and "always-on" grudge imho.

I listened to Smells Like Teen Spirit at a listening station at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 20 years ago and the in-your-faceness blew me away. It was like hearing it for the first time again. I get why that record changed the game.

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